I got the idea to call my dead sister’s cell phone from the movie P.S. I Love you, a story about a young woman whose husband suddenly dies.
Following the funeral, the wife lies in bed calling his cell phone over and over.
It was the saddest thing I’d ever seen.
When my sister Melissa died, I called her constantly.
I sobbed when she didn’t answer.
I sobbed listening to her voicemail and I obsessed.
I pulled my family into it.
It was a little funny.
During one of my routine calls to Melissa, something weird happened.
Something that barged in on my pity party.
Something that introduced me to Jeff.
I hung up on Jeff.
Melissa’s cell phone account had only been closed a few months. My beloved calling routine had been taken from me by Jeff, aided by the dicks over at Verizon.
As pack leader, it was my job to ensure that my younger brother and sister knew how to react.
Fueled by “coping-with-depression-via-alcohol,” I made a call.
I gauged his reaction to a drunk dial.
He seemed game.
Jeff and I connected immediately.
But I had the right number. And it was Jeff’s.
Jeff and I had an amazing summer together.
I couldn’t wait to get him on the line for a rip-roaring chat.
Classic Jeff.
I don’t remember much of our conversations.
What I do remember is the excitement shared when Jeff and I connected on the line.
If my life was a movie, Jeff getting Melissa’s phone number would have been one of those silver-lining things you hear about when people die. Like Jeff and I were supposed to meet. And Melissa dying was the only way that could happen.
A few months into my new routine with Jeff, I got a text from an unknown number.
My life isn’t exactly like a sad movie.
Author’s Note:
I discuss the 3 D’s and Jeff on the podcast Everyone Dies, a nonprofit exploring life-limiting illness, dying, and death. To jump to the interview, begin listening at 30:39 minutes in. 😁 In the first half of the podcast, nurse practitioner Marianne Matzo and co-host Charlie Navarrette discuss the role of depression, cognitive tests, and brain imaging used to diagnose dementia or other possible causes. You can find the podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your Podcasts. Just search Everyone Dies (Every1Dies). Or listen here!