Still living a wonderful life of more than 80 years,
and enjoying every day, it occurs to me I still recall the phone number I had
as a young wife. 375-7690. -------
I live with my husband in a small two-bedroom home
and find out I’m now pregnant with our fourth child. We must buy a larger home,
soon.
The Mojave Desert is arid, barren and brags some
beautiful blooms every few years across the expansive terrain after
experiencing sparce rains. Conditions are hot and windy carrying sand that
elevates to walls of nearly solid sand. I watch the sheer blackout from my
laundry room window that faces south. Severe winds last for three days at a
time. I remember when I was in fifth grade I’d sting from the force of the sand
as I walked to school and have to turn my back toward the winds to keep my face
from being battered. My legs suffered.
Our environment is miserable at best. Our little
home is surrounded by sage brush and a view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
some 12 miles or more West of us. The Navy Base is the main employer. Small
businesses thrive because of the base. It is a test station and I can watch
military jets practice across the desert in view of my home. They fly from
South to North where sonic booms are common.
My husband is an electronics technician with an
independent contract company in town. I am fortunate to spend some time
designing sets for plays in the actors group we belong. My husband is also a
musician, playing a mean saxophone in a band. I am lucky to play rhythm on my
piano when they jam after gigs,(jobs) at our home. Also, we enjoy playing with
friends, the hootenannies are fun and popular with all folk music lovers. I
play the guitar, piano and sing.
My in-laws are wonderful. Kind and involved with
their granddaughters. I’m most fortunate as these are the only active
grandparents my daughters have. There are other members of his family around
us, too. They are all fine people.
My heart is in Seattle and where the trees flourish
and green grass grows. Where the water is always nearby. I miss the Sound,
rivers, creeks. All that is wet and wild. My very soul cries out to be back
home. I was born in Seattle and had to move to this desert hole in the earth
when I was 12. I feel stuck.
We are busy with the girls. One day, my phone rings.
2 “Hello.”
“Hello. I wanted to call and see where this number
ended up as it was mine over sixty years ago. I was a young mother and lived
where it was not in my heart to be. Ridgecrest, California.”
My heart skips a beat hearing that. Interested, I
listen and join into a conversation. “I am hating this desert, too. We
certainly have that in common. I’m from Seattle and really want to get back
there and raise my children where more is available to insure a fuller, better
access to success. Did you get back home?”
“Oh, yes. I
think I am supposed to tell you something. I feel you must keep your aim on
getting back to Seattle. Stay away from your neighbor as you will be raped by
him if you are not careful. Your husband will run around on you. Think hard
about how to move back to Washington. You will succeed. Follow your heart and
arts.”
“Wow, that’s a lot to take in. How can you know
about this?”
“Because it
occurred to me, this phone number that is yours and was mine existed only for a
while. I am you, years away. I know you will have a long and good life. You are
strong and determined to get your daughters into a safer city. You will watch
them grow and succeed. There are too many drug problems where you are and you
will do a good job protecting your girls. Keep track of the good times and
fight for your beliefs. Stay strong. I do have a little fun memory. Your small
farm is enjoyable and you’ll buy an alcoholic burro from a drunk. You will see
the burro outside, on the street. She is smart and finds where your animal food
is stored in the blink of an eye when you bring her into your yard. Do me a
favor, don’t sell her to a teatotaled.”
“Oh, you know about Rosie. She is a handful but is
in good shape now. Tell me about you and your life.”
“I feel I can
only share what will guide you. You will divorce after coming North. Be strong
and rely on your arts for work. You could make a mistake in a marriage that
will be far too hard on all of you. Be careful. Your fourth daughter, the baby
you will have is going to have asthma. The doctors are awful at figuring out
what is wrong with her. You will be a help and close to her in keeping her
healthy in spite of the lack of information your small town has. Hang in there,
as you are a younger me and will be an active support for her. You will succeed
in moving back home. Keep determined and believe.” 3
“Thank you. You have inspired me. I will be watchful
in all the areas you have talked about.
… Hello?
Hello?... The line hisses, and the connection is gone.
But the memory lingers on and on.