“I need to call my son,” Mara said. “I want to make sure he knows I’m here,” she explained.
I looked to our activity director. “Is it possible for me to reach her son?” I whispered.
“No,” she said, sadly. “He died a couple of years ago.”
I sighed and thought a moment, turning to look at Mara. Her eyes were big and full of anxiety. She looked at me with a sense of hope.
“Can I call him, please?” she asked again.
“Sure, come to my office,” I said, motioning to the door.
I checked to make sure that my cell phone was on silent and dialed my own number from the desk phone. I listened to my own recorded voice message. “Hi, you’ve reached Rachael…” my voice said.
After it finished, I handed Mara the phone.
“Sounds like it went to voicemail,” I nodded. “Why don’t you leave him a message so he can call us back?”
Mara took the phone from me. “Hi Rick…can you come pick me up?” she asked. “I’m here and I’m really anxious. I can’t wait to see you,” Mara finished.
Mara’s son was no longer alive, but she was able to leave him a message.
