Early Thursday morning her time zone; late Wednesday mine. Hope everything goes well, I text. Best buddies for fifty years, our friendship thrives despite us living six thousand miles apart. Health challenges don’t dampen her spirit. She continues painting, singing, traveling, hiking. She has a fabulous doctor. This is a common procedure. No news by the end of the day. I go to bed. Awake with a start at midnight. Get up to pee. Check my phone. Bad habit, I know. Yes, notifications are silent, but I see a “New Message” alert on WhatsApp. From Jill’s husband: She didn’t survive.
Barbara Ridley, an English ex-pat, lives in California. She’s published in numerous literary journals, and has two novels: When It’s Over (2017) and Unswerving (2024). www.barbararidley.com Facebook: Barbara Ridley Author Instagram and Threads: @barbara.ridley.author