gotten

i

i

called home one day and i said hi did you call she said no

thoroughly confused, i inquired as to whether perhaps another sibling with another name had snatched the phone, used it to call me
she said maybe

she said i think your sister did, she called

and continuing said oh well is there a message for me do you know why she called
she said well

i do believe

(she said)

i do believe that she left a message

what was the message i asked impatiently for now i have a shower to get into i have a pen in hand i am ready for the message don't have time right now for this have a dinner to get to

it was in regard to yesterday,

and stupidly i rush on i ask what, what was it yesterday (please don't play games i've things to)

my birthday.

ohmygod mother i'm so sorry i

i

i

forgot it's because you see all day i keep the calendar of the president of the ceo and i have no time you see to think of myself hey honey i forgot my mom's birthday don't feel bad about it i forgot his too and i have things to do mother you know it's this job--

she,
points out,
plainly,
seven kids,
one household,
graduate school,
hundreds of activities,

none

is

forgotten.