Nickname never failed to prune the boughs of sorrow grown round Jon like a thicket of briar, no less the week’s budding additions nurtured by worry and stress. Hearing Mother McLellan’s honest to God joy at discovering caller’s ID brought to face the sort of cheek-busting grin as to shame all cherubim in heaven, nearly threatening upset of carefully balanced receiver wedged in bulky hand.
And just like that, sharp as a snap from Zeus’ fingers, the cartoon thunder clouds which hovered directly overhead scurried off to plague some other poor sap. Such the powers of a warm, maternal voice spliced through thousands of wired miles.
“Did I, then? Best of British luck, that, because I misdialed the first time. I swear I need a bloody sherpa to navigate those calling card menus.”
Relaxing back into his office chair, the two chatted animatedly for a while, addressing all their usual formalities. Jon asked first after Marjatta’s book club - This month’s The Light Between Oceans a novel which in time would prove more a looking glass than fiction - and later the folks of the villiage, all those whose names he could recall. Family members, close neighbors, and other society members in particular such as Auntie Kay and her stepdaughter, and Robb’s other cousin, Roslin, who was quite settled now in her new position as primary school teacher. And, apparently, expecting a wee bairn of her own near the holidays!
You see, they’d built a strong repertoire after months of late night Skyping and letters zipped Gmail to Red Gum Studios inbox and back. Her son may have chosen for the time to share his bed with another man but Jon could gab well as any hen, pridefully preening his feathers and those of chicks nearest and dearest. Marjatta, Margaery, Dalla, Loras, dyed in the wool sisters these days much as his own flesh and blood, so that when the subject finally came round to their Robb it felt entirely natural transitioning from Catalina retreat onto his recent despondency.
“Wish I could say this is entirely a social call but I’ve never seen him so pensive. He’s been distant and... actually, I feel quite horrible prying behind his back but I can’t seem to cheer him up. He’s even gone off sex, if you can believe it.”