I had gotten into the habit of going to New York City for the summer museum exhibitions over the 4th of July, since a lot of people clear out of the city for the holiday, and I can eke out extra vacation days. But I had never tried to see the fireworks, fearing the crowds. Months ago, Edwarda suggested that my family come over and see the fireworks with her, from her roof top, which is in Brooklyn Heights, overlooking the East River. A couple of weeks ago, she extended a concrete invitation for myself, my wife, and my son to join her for dinner and then fireworks on the 4th. Last week, we were nailing down some details. She came down with what seemed to be the flu, and then Friday was complaining to me of extreme head pain. It sounded like a sinus infection to me, and I knew she had had them before, but it was worse. I urged her to go to the doctor, to get some antibiotics, but she doesn't like her internist, so she demurred. We discussed the technique of relieving sinus pressure with steam from a shower, filling the bathroom, and she decided to try it. We continued to chat, then she got off to take care of herself, and I mostly stayed off, except to wrap up a discussion, for the rest of the weekend.
When I saw she wasn't on this week, I figured she had taken to bed. After a couple of days, I e- mailed, and yesterday I was debating giving her a call, as I had her number for the visit. Instead, I got an e-mail about her condition from a friend who was contacted by one of her cousins by phone. We were not sure whether or not to tell everyone until they had figured out what was wrong, but I contacted individuals who had a more urgent need to know, and, of course, it got out.
Edwarda and I chatted quite a bit by PM, about what was happening in her life, about thread life, about mutual friends, and sometimes in continuation of topics that were drying up on the threads. Yet I have never heard her voice nor seen even a photo. In a couple of weeks, we were to meet face to face for the first time. God willing, even though she will not be fit for a dinner party, she will be getting better and ready for a visit.......... |
