Epilogue
JANUARY 2020
"Hey
it's Johanna Osment, I'm not here at the moment, but leave a message after the
tone, and I'll get back to you…" the machine clicked.
"Hey
Johanna, it's Brian…can you call-"
"Hey
stranger…." Johanna greeted cheerily as she picked up the phone gingerly.
"Did
I catch you at a bad time?" Brian asked with concern in his southern drawl.
"Eh,
no. no, I was just typing up something" Johanna assured. "It's just
that these damned legs aren’t what they used to be." she commented
self-consciously as she looked down at her frail legs which began shaking a
little. "That's what happens when you grow old" she joked lightly.
"Johanna,
you're not old!" Brian protested, as he laughed good naturedly, bringing a
smile to her face. "But you're still writing for that column?" his
voice asked incredulously.
"No,
no, I'm writing my novel now" she replied. "Don't worry, I'll dedicate
it to your Mama, and you…" she began to assure him.
"And
Papa" he reminded as he cut in a little sadness dropping in his voice.
"Speaking of my Papa, I was wondering if you were free this weekend… Mama
wants you to come up to Lexington his year for his annual memorial" he
drawled on in his southern accent. "Uncle Kev, Uncle Howie, Uncle Alex and
my bro Nick will all be there" he added in excitement.
"My
bro Nick?" Johanna repeated as she wrinkled her nose in distaste.
"Brian, honey, did he tell you to call him that?" she laughed as she
imagined the middle aged blonde dressed in baggy jeans and a New York Knicks
jersey.
"But
he is my bro!" Brian protested, in innocent confusion.
Johanna
laughed, shaking her head.
"You're
growing up to be just like your father…. just as naive but just as sweet"
she teased as memories of Brian came flooding back.
"Everyone
says that these days... man…." Brian continued in frustration.
"Okay,
tell your Mama to count me in; I'll be there whether it's rain or shine"
she confirmed warmly.
"Great,
I'll tell her… she's gunna be so happy to see you!" he cried as he bid
farewell to Johanna and hung up the phone.
Hopping
into the white upholstered armchair she switched on her black laptop as her
fingers began to tap on the keys ever so slightly to churn out the novel's first
words, just as a light rain began to fall.
On some
days, I think it'll be okay….
-The End-