Some Other Time

by Angela Brown

In the early days, both of them in their midtwenties, they’d stay up late every weekend night fueled by wine and romance and youth, talking about—what, exactly? Life. Dreams. Childhood memories. Before they left for the airport this morning, they’d conversed about the carbon monoxide detectors, which they both agreed were probably due for new batteries.

All over the walls are framed pictures of Ellie and her family, her parents’ home-decorating style rooted almost entirely in memory.

“But sometimes, Ellie, I think your mother feels that people get all wrapped up in the notion that their life has to be so big, so earth shattering, that they forget how significant a simple and quiet life can be, too. How meaningful love and commitment are in such an unpredictable world.”