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7—,

Art By Stephanie Shieldhouse

away by ourselves? The last time was
about eight months ago. Of course I
remember. Mom, you know I appreciate
your taking the kids that time, but that's
not the—
No, I'll call Aunt Lyda myself. I haven't
spoken to her in ages, anyway. I'm sure
she'll understand. Why should they feel
slighted? It's nothing personal. Yes, I know
45 years is a big deal. I agree, it's a shame,
but that's how it is. We're going skiing. I
was never their favorite niece, anyway.
They always liked Lorraine better than me.
Yes, they did. No, it's not a big thing, but
it's true.
Mom, Uncle Morris won't be mad at you.
Why should he? If he should be mad at
anybody, it's me, and he won't 'cause I'll
explain everything. How come you're so
crazy about Uncle Morris all of a sudden?
You always complain about him—now he's
your beloved brother and you're so con-
cerned about his feelings getting hurt if I
don't come to his party. No, I'm not accus-
ing you of anything, Mom.. I know you love
your brother. No, no, forget I said it.
Chest pains? I thought you said it was
in your stomach. Seems to be moving up?
Right or left side? In the middle? Yeah? No,
no, I'm sure it's not—What kind of funny
feeling? No, Mom, I'm positive it's nothing
serious. Besides, you had a checkup a

month ago, and Dr. Klein said you were
fine. Nothing to worry about—that's what
he said, remember? It must be this flu
you've got. Or indigestion or something.
Yeah, I know Sarah Lasker dropped dead
right after her daughter told her it was in-
digestion, but she had a heart condition.
You don't. Mom, it's impossible to go from
being healthy to having a heart condition
in one month. It just doesn't work that
way.
And look, even if you were sick—God
forbid—you don't need me around that par-
ticular weekend. One weekend! Alan and
I need to be alone. We haven't had time to
say two words to each other the last cou-
ple of months, he's been so busy. Yes, I
know we chose to live this way. And we
chose to go skiing with our friends.
Don't say that, Mom. I am not putting
my friends ahead of you. I wouldn't do
that. What do you mean, Lorraine wouldn't
be so selfish? I'm not trying to be selfish,
I just—Yes, it really is nice of her to fly in
especially for the party. I know Lorraine's
a special person. I know she cares about
the family. The family's important to me,
too, Mom. It is so. But what about—
I can't cancel, Mom. Linda and Larry are
counting on us. I'd be so embarrassed to
back out now. I'd feel like a fool. Well, I
suppose they'd understand, but That's

just it, Mom, I don't know if we can
reschedule the trip. They're probably
booked up with friends right through the
season. Yeah, I know Aunt Lyda and Un-
cle Morris won't live forever. But Linda and
Larry especially invited—Of course they're
honorable people, what kind of people do
you think we have for friends? Honorable
people would realize how important fami-
ly obligations are? Well, yeah, that's true.
But—oh God, I don't know. I hate to disap-
point Aunt Lyda and Uncle Morris. Yeah,
I know it's only one weekend out of my life.
Do you really think Linda and Larry'll
understand? Yeah? Well, I guess—
Alan's gonna kill me. He's been looking
forward to this trip so much. No, I'm not
afraid of him, but—He'd expect me to do
the same for his family? I don't know, his
family isn't real close like ours. Well, yeah,
that's true, we are pretty lucky that way.
The kids? Are they invited? Oh, I didn't
realize that. No, you don't have to buy
them new outfits, Mom. No, I don't need
a new dress. I'll wear my black and burgun-
dy print—you know, the one I got for
Sheila's wedding. Yeah, that sounds good.
You look nice in that one. No, I don't think
it makes you look washed out.
Well, I'll call and explain. I just hope—
oh, never mind.
I love you, too, Mom. Bye. 0

I HE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 103