14. The strangest thing

“Call On Me”, the ringtone, played on her Nokia. She let it ring, in loops, once, twice, three times, before pressing the green button and take the call.

“Marge? Is that you? Hell, what time is it over there? – It’s, er… well, I don’t know what time it is here, but, er, it must be, like, midnight or something. You still in Cannes?”

“Hello, Nic. Yeah, it’s me. Dunno the time either. Just – it’s six hours later here. That’s all I know. It’s daybreak, actually. And, yeah, I’m still in Cannes.”

“Saul?”

“Oh, he’s fine. He’s gone back to –… He’s still asleep. Yeah, we’re still in France. We’re still in Cannes. Oh, where's my mind? - I already told you that... How’re you?”

“Well, sis, I should be asking you that, shouldn’t I? I mean, you called me, right? Anything the matter? Anything wrong, love?”

“No, no, everything’s fine.”

Marge paused, but Nicole gave no reply, and thus she resumed “… No, really – everything’s fine, don’t worry. I just woke up really early, you see, and Saul’s still asleep and, er, welll… Well, I guess I was just sorta bored and decided to give you a call. I’m sorry if I’m bothering you, Nic.”

“No-no-no, love. Not at all! Actually, and this is the strangest thing, I was thinking about you. Isn’t it funny?”

“Oh, really? Yeah, telepathy, I guess”, Marge chuckled, “now we have mobile phones to put our thoughts through. Amazing little things, hey? You still have your Nokia? I bought myself a new one at the airport, go figure. I guess I was dying to try it out and couldn’t wait any longer!”

“Yep, I still have my old Nokia”, Nicole chuckled too.

“So, OK, I called you. To tell you – that I love you, old sister. So, there, I said it. I miss you. Cannes is lovely, but sometimes I miss New York and I miss you. So – what’s so strange?”

“Well, the thing is ­– do you remember Dad’s watch collection?”

“Er – yes. Yes?”

“Well, um – who’s got it? I know, not Mum. Do you have it?”

“OK, this is strange, Nic. You never took any interest in Dad’s collection. In fact, you and watches and paying attention to time… That’s simply not you. That’s so not you.”

“Yeah, OK”, her voice was eager, “but, do you have it or not?”

“Yes, I do. Listen, can we talk about this when we get home? I think Saul’s waking up.”

“No, sure. It’s that it’s, well, strange, you see. I was thinking about it and then you call me up… But, sure, let’s talk about it when you’re back. Sure, everything is OK?

“Sure. You alright, too?”

“Oh, yeah, absolutely. Everything’s fine. Nothing much going on, you know. Everything’s fine.”

“I’m glad. Love ya, big sis!”

“Love ya back, munchkin!”

Nicole clicked off. She looked at her new watch, bought at Schmied’s. Quarter past midnight. It seemed correct. She smiled giving off a deep sigh.