“Dad emailed to say how upset you were that I hadn’t called in a while,” Jen was saying to her mother. “I’m really sorry.”
“What?” Jen’s mom asked, twisting the word out to three syllables, phlegmy with incredulity. “I never said that. Your father, for goodness’ sake!” Jen’s mom sighed and regained her composure.
“Well, in any case, I’m sorry, Mom.”
“You have a lot going on.”
“No, it’s not that—I just—haven’t been feeling well.”
“Oh? Are you eating right? Exercising?”
“I—no, I guess I haven’t been doing those things as much as I should.”
“You should see a doctor,” Jen’s mom said. “There’s not a whole lot your old mom can do for you if you’re not taking care of yourself. Go talk to a doctor.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Jen said.