by Ruthie Lancaster

Created on: July 16, 2009

MEMORIES

"Hello." Said the maddeningly familiar voice on the other end of the phone line.

"Uh....hello? Can I help you?" I inquired doubtfully. Who could this be? Her name was right on the tip of my tongue.

"Mother?" I could hear the frown in her voice. She had called me 'Mother'! That could be a clue to her identity...Of course! It was my daughter!

"Oh hi, Dear. I was just getting ready to call you." I trilled happily.

"You did call me, Mother. That's we are on the phone together. " The frown in her voice deepened. "What did you want?"

"When?" I asked, confused. There were many things I wanted... world peace, an end to famine, quicker access to the Internet... then I remembered! "Oh, that's right. I wanted to thank you for those pills you gave me... those Gemco Balboa thingys."

"I think you mean 'Ginko Biloba', Mother. Hopefully, they will increase the blood-flow to the brain and improve your memory. Did you take two of them?" She asked.

"Two what?" I asked absentmindedly.

"Take another pill, Mother." My darling but weary daughter said tiredly.

"Of course, Dear. I have the Gumbo Beluga right here." Laying down the phone, I popped another little pill in my mouth. Now what had I been doing? Oh well...sooner or later it would come back to me.

Sometime later a strange noise captured my attention. "Beep, beep, beep." Perplexed I looked for the source of it. What on earth was my phone doing off the hook...Oh MY Gosh! Quickly I dialed my beautiful but probably irate child's number.

"I thought you would be calling, Mother." My daughter snarled.

"I'm so sorry, Dear. I have no idea how that could have happened. I took the second Gecko Belgium; just like you told me to."

"The name is GINKGO BILOBA, Mother!" My daughter hissed at me. "It's not a beach town discount store; or a Creole caviar; and it's certainly not a lizard with a French accent. It is an herb that is supposed to help you remember more than your own name. GINKGO BILOBA!"

"Well, don't get testy, Dear! Obviously it works. Didn't I remember my manners and call you to thank you for them?" I asked.

"Mom, Do you think there is any chance you might forget my phone number? My lovely but insecure girl asked, tearfully.

"Never fear, Dear." I was quick to reassure her. "I've had your phone number AND address tattooed right across my..."

"That's what I was afraid of." My daughter said sadly as she hung up the phone.

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