The night of auditions for the show that I will be directing, I got three missed calls in three hours. Eric, Emmie and my mother.
"Shane, I don't care what time you get this message, I need you to call me."
Concerned due to the fact that several people in our family have been sick, i called her immediately--postponing the meeting for a few minutes.
"Whats wrong?"
"Your grandmother is really ill. She might not make it through the night. You need to tell all of your professors that you might not be in class so that you can come home if the funeral is before the weekend. You need to be there for you father and your Aunt Becky and your Aunt Sandy. I think you should be there."
"I have to go Mom. I have to get my auditions done. Call me if you find out anything more."
"You really need to be there."
"I know. Its not really a choice. I know." She does not respond. This is not her mother and even though she does not even like her, we all know that we will be at the funeral. I know that it is what I should do even if I don't want to.
"The funeral could be as early as Thursday if she dies tonight. But you'll be home next week for Spring Break so that will be okay."
I am going to a concert on Monday in St. Louis and that is final. I will be making my way to OK Go and a much deserved and psychologically needed vacation. I will not wait around for my grandmother to die and ruin my Spring Break waiting for the grandmother who barely remembers me to die. I will be at that concert. "Ok. Bye."
"Good luck with auditions. Good night."
Looks like I don't really have to worry about any of that now. I will be going to that concert. OK Go here I come. Goodbye Grandma Doris.