Thank you for calling.
It has been a while
since we’ve spoken.
It is good to hear your voice.

I hope you are well.

I hope your family is well.

I hope your dog is well
and not dead
like the last time I asked after it.
Her.
Sorry: her.

I am glad your new dog is not dead
and that this time you picked a name
much more interesting than Daisy.

My job is good
and I expect yours is the same.
My health is bad
but I do not wish to speak of it.
I hope yours is better
and your family’s
and your dog’s.

I wish I had more to say
but I have grown out of practice
with these social situations.
I have not been on the phone
for a while.
I have not touched base in longer.

These are not skills
that I intended to lose
any more than I meant
to misplace my Bolton’s charge card
which let me delay interest payments
for up to eighteen months.
Life just gets in the way
and I am not so good
at keeping track.

Oh,
there’s a new Bolton’s
in your neighborhood?
Fantastic!
What do they sell?