Telephone Conversations - Family

The house was full of hustle and bustle and it took a few minutes for anyone to register the phone ringing over the noise.

'Hey Mom, shall I get it?'

'Please. I'm a little busy.'

'Hello, Moss residence.'

'Tom?'

'Hey Sis. How's it going?'

'Great. Things have been frantic, but we seem to be getting somewhere now.'

'So frantic that I hear rumours of a trip to an exotic location.'

'Well…'

'And not on your own either.'

'What can I say?'

'Where are you?'

'Why?'

'Cos I thought I could hear the ocean.'

'Funny. No, it's probably the shower.'

'You're ringing from the shower?'

'Oh stop it. Yes, I went on a fantastic vacation and the person I went with is currently in the shower and you can stop acting innocent cos Mom doubtless spilled the beans before you even got in the door.'

'As Emily says - duh'

'Very mature.'

'Well I heard you like 'em mature.'

The sound of teeth grinding could be heard clearly down the phone line and Tom laughed.

'OK, now you've had your fun, can I speak to Mom or Dad?'

'Dad's arguing with the neighbours and Mom's got her hand up a chicken's…'

'What's Dad arguing about?'

'The Johnsons made some comment to him about his daughter having a sordid affair with an older man.'

'WHAT….yeah, yeah, you got me. Like you're so innocent. I hope the Johnsons don't know anything about me - surely Mom can stay quiet for a couple of days.'

'It's been tough. Anyway why the hush -are you ashamed?'

'No, of course not. It's just difficult because there could be some press coverage and we want to focus on the Transition.'

'May be press coverage? Donna, the sheer vomit- making tweeness of your matching job titles is newsworthy. I think I ought to meet this guy - see if he is worthy of my little sister. Any chance of you making it here for Christmas?'

'I doubt it. If I do come it will be alone as Josh will be working.'

'On Christmas Day?'

'Probably, he doesn't celebrate Christmas.'

'What a misery.'

'No, Tom, he's Jewish so it isn't his holiday. I'm surprised Mom didn't tell you, she seems to have blabbed pretty much everything else.'

'I've not been here long. I'm sure she'll get round to it. So I will have to come to DC then.'

'Are you serious? It's none of your business.. Look tell them I'll ring later after you've gone.'

'Why? Have you got more secrets to tell?'

There was a sudden intake of breath followed by silence at the other end.

'Donna, you OK?'

'Yeah, I'm fine' was the reply but there was a faintly breathy edge to it that it took Tom about 10 seconds to identify.

'He's there, isn't he?'

'Tell Mom I'll speak to her later.'

'But….well she put the phone down on me.' Tom laughed and went into the kitchen to wind his mother up about her daughter's new relationship.