“Michael Calante Michael Calante Michael Calante.” I heard being announced in unison with a cascade of chimes. What is happening? Where is this coming from? Then it hit me- my phone! Mikey was calling me! Yes, my Mikey! Those chimes are the special ringtone Lorena set for him, just in case he ever called. I rarely hear them, but when I do, my whole body lights up.

Mike Calante-aka Michael, aka Eski, aka Mikey, aka the man I love-was calling me. Calling me on a Sunday night.This is not par for the course, okay?The Sunday part. The call instead of a text part. Totally not the uzhe-you know the usual. And guess what? Yep, I’m talking to you wise guy (or wise girl). Mind your own beeswax.Have you walked in my shoes? I think not. So shut your pie hole. I’m allowed to be overjoyed, and I am. I am over the moon.

I was relaxing on the couch in my living room, the air still warm.Shorts, tank top, my frizzy dark hair yanked back with an old velvet red scrunchie. My feet were propped on the ottoman. Eczema flaring, bottoms dirty, still spackled with mini streaks of tar and dusted with sand from my earlier beach walk. Sea Hag piggies.

The room was dim, not dark, just dim. The lamp in the far corner was doing all the work to provide light for my place. The smell of Windex still hung in the air from my earlier cleaning spree and on the freshly vacuumed carpet I noticed one piece of Dixie’s kibble. She does that often- placing one single piece of her kibble in various spots around the house.

The chimes kept ringing with the sound of his name being announced and my heart kept beating, I was hoping I’d answer before the call went to voice mail and then I spotted my phone, right next to the pillow on the couch.

I answered “Hello, Mike Calante.”

I wondered – why is he calling? What could he want? Is this a good call or a bad call? I often wonder. I wonder a lot. I did as a kid too. And not the wide-eyed magical fairy tale kind of wonder. No, my wonder is the kind of wonder that whirls stories and lies in my head. The kind that keeps me up at night spinning worst case scenarios that leave me exhausted and frozen. By the way, the stories never seem to come true.

“HI there” Mike said in that tone I love that always seems to settle my insides. I asked about his trip to Tahoe , his daughters, the drive and when he got home. Then he said it. The first part of the colossal question. “Hey, I have a favor to ask you.”

My mind started racing. Did he want to get together this week? No, maybe he needs a reference for an insurance agent, a dog walker, a housekeeper or worse… maybe he knows I peek at his daughter’s Instagram and he’s going to ask me to please stop. Maybe I was in trouble. I often feel like I’m in trouble.

But then came the question. The question I never imagined he’d ask me. The question that surprised me. The question we should all ask once we’re past 45.The question that showed his trust in me- his vulnerability. The question that made me giddy with delight.

Mike asked the question. “Would you be able to pick me up from the hospital on Thursday, I’m having a colonoscopy.”

My heart skipped a beat. My grin tightened. My brain relaxed and my heart barked. You’re not in trouble Cori. He needs you. He trusts you. The man is getting a colonoscopy and he asked you to pick him up. That’s bigger than dinner. Bigger than a weekend away. Bigger than the movies (though gosh I do love going to the movies with him.) This is concrete. This is life. And you’re in it with him.

“Let me check my schedule” I said. “One moment”

All the while, little swirls of cotton candy and hearts spun in my eyes. Anchors away my boys, anchors aways. My cells were doing Zoomies. The schoolgirl cheerleader that lives inside me had just been asked to the prom by the Captain of the football team.

“Yes.” I said “It will be my pleasure to pick you up from your colonoscopy on Thursday.” “I know you’ll be vulnerable and I’ll try not to take advantage of you.”

In true Mike fashion he replied without a hitch ” Is it taking advantage of me if I oblige?” “I may not remember though due to the anesthesia.”

“Thank you and I’ll see you Thursday morning around 10.” “Goodnight”

There was a sweetness in his voice, in his Goodnight. The sweetness that I’ve been privy to witness at times.

“Thank you for asking me I said. Goodnight.”

I was still sunk into the sofa with my seahag tootsies unmoved on the ottoman. Dixie on one side and Trixie on the other. A stray single piece of Dixie’s kibble sat on the cushion beside me like an offering. Silly dog. It wasn’t there earlier. The glass slider was cracked open. The room had cooled down, but I had heated up. I always heat up when it comes to Mike. Always.

I turned off my phone for the night and I purred. I couldn’t wait to see my Mikey on Thursday- to pick up that beautiful man from his colonoscopy.

I’ll report back on Friday.

Beep Beep