Georgia

Temperatures climbed to 80 degrees and it wasn't even noon. The high humidity spawned beads of perspiration along her short, gray hairline. The walk to the gift shop took only ten minutes, and they would be open until four, so what was the rush?

Sixty-eight-year-old Tina Mester struggled to slow her stride, but she might just as well have tried to be fifty. Brushing at the wetness at the nape of her neck, she scurried along the concrete path.

I can't believe I forgot, Tina thought. How could I forget? I've sent her a birthday card, on time, for twenty-two years! Her hands balled into tight fists and her gait remained furiously fast. Anyone but Georgia! Georgia Tetly. Tina's idol, her mentor, her very best, best friend. If it hadn't been for Georgia, Tina would have probably committed suicide. It was Georgia who took her in after Paul died, Georgia who held her through the nights Tina literally doubled over in the agony of her loss. Georgia forced her to work through the pain, to see that life could still be worth living. It was Georgia who introduced Tina to Journaling to rid herself of all the negatives, all the raw, ugly feelings that threatened to smother her.

Tina passed the Activity Center, the Sunflower Dining Room and the Social Center. Sweat ran freely down her face and neck as she entered the blissful coolness of the air-conditioned gift shop.

Her mind still on Georgia, Tina barely acknowledged the clerk's greeting. She rushed to the card counter and began searching through the stacks. Two full stacks had been perused before it dawned on Tina that she couldn't send just a birthday card. No! Due to her negligence, she would have to send a belated birthday card. Belated! Whatever would Georgia think?

Georgia was responsible not only for saving Tina's life, but for encouraging her to write a book based on her Journals. A book that became a best seller, because it helped so many grieving widows to get on with their lives. She owed Georgia everything. They hadn't been able to get together often these last few years, but they called each other once a month or so, and spoke as though they had never been apart. And now, she'd forgotten to send her a birthday card.

Tina picked up a belated birthday card that didn't sound too mushy. She paid the clerk and started back home. If she hurried, she could get it addressed and stamped before postman Curt came to deliver the mail. Then, she'd call Georgia and apologize that the card would be late.

"Happy Birthday, Georgia! I'm so sorry your card will be late, but I swear I'm getting senile!"

"When you're ninety-eight, who cares? I'm just delighted to hear from you! You've made my day!" Georgia laughed heartily, but ended coughing. The cough sounded deep in her chest and went on for more than a minute.

"Georgia! You still have that awful hack. I swear I'm gonna have to come up there and get you straightened out!" They both knew that Tina couldn't afford to fly to Ohio. And, Georgia didn't feel well enough to fly to Florida.

"Come on ahead! I'll get your bed ready," Georgia replied as she always did when they spoke of getting together. It'd been five years since they'd seen each other, eighteen since Georgia had traveled.

There was an awkward silence. Finally, Tina said, "Oh, Georgia. We'll never see each other again. That makes me so very sad." Tears trickled down Tina's cheeks. She tried to keep the waver out of her voice, grateful that Georgia couldn't see her right now. "Since I messed up on your card this year, I've decided to just call you once a day and wish you a happy unbirthday. What do you think of that?"

"I think that's pretty dumb, pretty expensive and awful darn nice."

"Okay, then, I’ll call tomorrow. Have a great rest of today. Happy Birthday. I love you!" Tina waited just long enough to hear the echo of Georgia's sentiment and hung up before her voice betrayed her tears. What would she do when Georgia was gone? What would she ever do?

The next morning, Tina hurried through her few chores, and gathered some magazine articles she wanted to share with Georgia. She could hardly wait for one o'clock to place the call and hear Georgia's deep cheerful voice. A man answered the phone.

"Who is this?" Tina demanded. "What are you doing in Georgia's house?" Tina knew there were no children, no brothers, no relatives. Georgia had outlived them all. A cold knot formed in Tina's stomach.

"I'm sorry, ma'am, who are you?" His voice was strong, full of authority, young.

"Why, I'm her best friend, Tina, calling from Florida. Let me speak with her now, please." The knot grew colder and larger and seemed to work toward her chest.

"I am sorry, ma'am, but Mrs. Tetly passed away sometime during the night. When her porch light wasn't turned off by noon, a neighbor decided to check on her. I'm the EMS driver."

"Oh, no. I just spoke with her yesterday. She was ninety-eight yesterday. I forgot to mail her birthday card so I called her yesterday. We just talked yester. . ."

"Ma'am? Are you all right? Is there someone you can call to stay with you awhile?"

"No. No. I don't need to call anyone. I just wanted to call Georgia. We've been friends ever since . . . I'm sorry young man. I'm babbling. It's just that I didn't expect her to pass–well, thank you. Thank you very much."

Tina carefully replaced the receiver in its cradle. The knot filled her throat so she couldn't swallow. She sat quietly, her hand still on the phone until she heard Curt at her mailbox.

When Tina retrieved her mail, she found a small, plain white envelope with no return address. Her pulse quickened. Why, that's Georgia's handwriting. I'd know it anywhere. Her hand shook as she slit open the envelope. She'd been right. It was from Georgia, and in it, she thanked Tina for her friendship over the years and asked her not to grieve when Georgia was gone because she had had a wonderful long life and promised she would see Tina again in heaven where they both would have new bodies and have an eternity to share. How did she know she'd be dead when I got this? She had to have mailed it at least three days ago! Tina turned the envelope over and verified the postmark was indeed three days earlier. How did she know?

Tina surprised herself by not bursting into tears. The knot in her throat disappeared and as she thought of all Georgia had done for her, and what she had meant to her, Tina decided the best thing she could do in Georgia's memory was to mentor another newly grieving widow. Tina thought of Jesse Turner, whose husband had died just last week. Yes, that's what she would do; pass on to another what Georgia had so freely given her.

A tiny smile played at Tina's mouth. Georgia wouldn't have to see a belated birthday card after all.