day 1: (elf-indulgent radio) the early morning call

The call came at 4:55 this morning. An hour and a half earlier, I'd gotten up and put in some earplugs, as Jeff is a pretty heavy snorer. So when the phone rang--and it was in another room--I didn't quite hear it at first. When I finally woke up enough to recognize it and went running for it, I got to it just as the rings stopped, signifying that it had gone over to voicemail. I called the voicemail number and my sister says, "Thom, if you're there, call the apartment in Richmond. Please wake up." I tried to call, but the number was busy. I hear my cellphone ringing at the other end of the condo. I don't get to it in time. Another message from my sister, pleading for me to call. So, I called and the phone rang. My sister answered. "The hospital called. Dad died at 1:45 a.m." They said they'd been trying to call Mom, but apparently they were calling the hotel instead of the apartment that they had put her in.

Craig graciously has loaned me his car for a few days. I'm on the road now to Richmond to meet my mom and sister, and then we'll head on back to Covington. I don't know what the plans are yet. I'll be out of touch for a few days.

On the road to Richmond, this is another episode of elf-indulgent radio. This is Thom.