Answering service

I called one of my sisters yesterday and talked to one of her sons.  We chatted a minute and then I said, "Is your mom there?"

"No."

"Where is she?" (Because I usually think my sisters have a lot of nerve to not be available when I call.)

"She's on a walk."

"Will you have her call me when she gets home?"

"Sure."

"Don't forget," I said.  "Mark always forgets to give me messages.  Are you a better man than Mark?"

"Um," he said.  "I think I'm about the same as Mark."

And she never called.  I think he was true to his word--about the same as Mark.

Even so, I love both those unreliable message givers.