Dial 'M' For Memories

Willie in his 80s now hadn’t made sense in years. His wife understood his grunts from the recliner where she propped him up till bedtime where snoring was music in the night. His grandson told neighbors Gramps had Old-Timer’s Disease, an excellent diagnosis with which doctors agreed. It was time to move Gramps to a home so his wife began packing things he would need. It was then she found an old photo in a drawer under his socks and shorts. It was dated 1948, still clear though crinkled a bit. It was Gramps’ class photo from his 8th-grade graduation. All the young faces were suns gleaming in their own universe. She showed it to Willie when she brought him his lunch. He blinked and pointed to a girl in the third row and said, “Call Carol and tell her we’re going to the movies. Tom Mix and 25 cartoons.” His wife was old enough to remember that a Western and 25 cartoons were a regular Saturday matinee at the local film house for kids in 1948. But she was two years behind Willie and had never gone with him. Besides she was still shook just to hear Willie talk. This was the first sentence he had offered in years. She didn’t know what to say. Finally she said she didn’t know what Carol’s number was so how could she call? Willie looked her in the eye with a twinkle from long ago and said “Prospect 6-3943.” Donal Mahoney