Columbus: Sally's Tale

"1492 Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue." Recited Jimmy as he ran around the house, homemade sail boat in hand. He was such a cute little boy with blond curly hair, still carrying around a little extra baby chub in his cheeks.

His mom Lisa watched over her energetic five year old, wondering how the rest of that little jingle went that she had learned as well in elementary school. Did it have something about the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria? Were those even the right names? Why was she worrying about this? She asked herself as she looked back down at her desk and the papers staring back at her.

How could Jimmy be so carefree, when she held the weight of the world on her shoulders. A good sign of a good mom has to be one where the kids don't know the trouble they are in. Their very financial situation was daunting.

James, her high school sweetheart, recently passed away. Sally, who had been a stay at home mom since she graduated from school, had no work experience. How was she to pay the bills? They were so young. Life still much ahead of them. They shared dreams. None of which included her being a widow at 25.

Looking at the past due statements made her wish she could hop on the flying sailboat in her house and leave this moment. Oh how she wished she was five, running around with only the cares of which toy to play with.

She knew that the only way out of this mess right now was to pick up the phone. She hadn't spoken to her parents since the day they forbade her to marry James. The day she ran away and eloped despite them. She hadn't even called to tell them that three months ago her love of her life was killed in a car crash.

The black receiver resting on the desk seemed to pulsate and grow larger as she looked back and forth between it and the bills past due. She reached for it. Sweat dripping down her face. Tears soaking her cheeks. Nervous jittery fingers pressed out the memorized number. After what felt like an eternity and only two rings she heard that sweet familiar voice.

"Hello Dalton's residence." Greeted Kay, her mom. She had always been so formal.

Sally couldn't speak, her throat filled with sobs.

"Hello, who is this. Are you okay?" Kay asked as she heard silence and tears in the receiver.

'I can't do this' Sally thought to herself and hung up. Grabbing the tissue from the red floral box, she wiped her eyes, blew her nose and began to sob into her hands.

"Mommy, Mommy are you okay? Do you miss Daddy today? I do. I wish he could help me finish painting my boat." The little boy looked with his giant blue eyes straight into his mom's face, grabbed his hands and put them on her cheeks. "I love you, Mom." He said as he gave her a gentle kiss. He hopped off her lap and started to walk away. Such a sweet little guy. She loved him so much.

"I love you too! Very much so." She couldn't even explain to anyone the love she felt for her boy. A mother's love is so strong. She began to cry harder. Her mother had to still love her right? Even if it had been six years since they last spoke. Sitting up a little higher in her chair she reached once again for the phone.

After just one ring she again heard that familiar voice.

"Hi....Mom...It's......me.....Sally." She words came out, a little shaky but out they came.

"Oh Sally!! Oh sweet Sally, I am so happy to hear your voice. How are you? You don't sound well. What is going on?" Even after the distance, her mother still knew her well.