A few days later she went back for the results.

Other people were waiting noisily outside the room,

but the doctor gave Mrs. Fun time to digest the news.

As she waited for the bus home her bag got heavy

and she fell headfirst into the street.

Road sweepers dropped their brushes,

then helped get her a seat when the bus came.

On the journey home Mrs. Fun realized it was time for action

and started making a long list to record for her husband

on the family cassette player.

She imagined the sounds of her voice in the machine,

years after the real one had gone silent.