We don’t have what I guess you’d consider a “typical” relationship… It’s hard to describe, but we’ve had something along the lines of a tenuous truce over the years - she doesn’t slam me & my generation and I don’t snap at her for it. And when she does, I’ve gotten to the point where I can just hold my tongue…
But we do have some things in common. Our looks. Our effed up personalities (mine a bit softened from hers - maternal genes kicking in I suppose, but not a whole lot.) And her friend, Hertha, that passed on this week.
I called to see how she was doing. I can’t say I know what prompted it, but I did it. And it was the nicest conversation we’ve had in a while. No jabs, no sniping, just a really nice conversation. Why does it take something so extreme to bring us back to just a plain old nice relationship? Who knows.
Right now, I wish she lived here. I could at least have visted in person to see how she was doing, rather than trying to check in over the phone.
I didn’t find out about Hertha’s passing until yesterday. Visitation was Wednesday, and the burial was yesterday. I feel bad - because dammit, one of the women from my family should have been there. It sounds odd, I realize - but when another of her friends here passed several years back, my father was able to go to the services, but my mother couldn’t. So, I went - because I wanted to make sure that the women of the family were there. I can’t explain it, but there you go. As much as I am an independent liberated chicky-chick, there are some things the womenfolk need to be present for.
So, now I’m kicking myself for not inquiring as to Hertha’s well being after that damned dream - because she was the first person I thought of after it.
Like I said, it’s an odd relationship we’ve got. I’m fiercely protective of her (I am the one that gave her explicit instructions on using her cane as a weapon when she finally got one, and lord help anyone in my way when it’s time to get her at the airport…) and yet she drives me up one wall and down the next…
But damn, it’s gotta hurt to lose a friend you’ve known for 40+ years…
