always relay phone messages.

Last night, as we were watching Iron Man, we decided to ignore the land line phone (our direct line to telemarketers) ringing.

This sparked something in Brandon's mind.

OH, he said. OH. I forgot to tell you, your grandmother called the other day. I'm so sorry. I totally forgot.

This is not a big deal, we've been playing phone tag.

I totally forgot, he continued. Yeah. She called. She said that someone had died.

...what?

It was her sister? Was it her brother? I don't know. I was on my way out the door.

well can you clarify 'the other day?'

... nnnnno, no, it was the other day.

So that was my great-aunt, who had died the day before thanksgiving. I sent no flowers to the funeral. I didn't even call with condolences. Just confusion and shock late last night, a week after the funeral.

I feel like a total jerk. Even though it wasn't my fault, I feel like such an asshole.

"Well, I was very surprised at you," was my grandmother's measured reply.