She picked up! “Monica?” “Oh,” she said, real proper and chilly. “Tina. Yes?” “Well, why are you talking like that?” She paused. “Tina, my mom died.” “I had no idea.” “No, you did not, because I haven’t talked to you in forever.” “I am so sorry to hear that. I wish I could have been there for you.” I was heartbroken for her, and as we talked about what she’d been through, I felt her softening to me. “Well, what made you reach out?” she asked.
