I Called a Long-Time, Dear Friend….

I hadn't called him for a long time, so I did today.

"Hi," I said when he answered knowing who was calling.

"How are you?" he whispered back.

"I’m good. Is this a good time?" I asked him, because of his hushed tone.

"I'm at Art Harpur's office," he said. Art is our doctor.

"I hope you get good news," I said back.

"I've got cancer," he said without any warning. My breath leaves me.

“Its cancer of the mouth,” he said in a way that seemed to imply it could be worse.

I am going to see him on Saturday. He said he would tell me all about it then. I hope I do not cry again.