“Remember, baby, I’m only a call away.” When her mother had closed the door of the new dormitory behind her as she left, tears in both of their eyes, it had been true.

And she had called. Nearly every night at first, video calls and audio alike, just to hear how her day had been. The grocery trips, the family gatherings, the desserts baked.

The phone calls always ended the same: “I’ll talk to you later, love you, bye.” And she would lie back down on her bed, avoiding eye contact with her awkward roommate, and reckon with the aching loss in her heart that just wouldn’t go away.

The calls had gotten less frequent over time. She’d found friends, interests- a new life, so to speak. But, instead of just listening to her mother’s good news, now she had some of her own to share. Good grades, enjoyable classes, newfound dreams, every phone call more contented than the last. On the other end of the line, her mother smiled as she listened, proud and grieving all in one.

“You’ve reached Donna. Leave a message at the beep, and I’ll give you a call back.”

Once upon a time, her mother had wrapped her in a hug and told her through tears that she was “only a call away.” It was still true. But, that was all she was, now.

The tone played, and she hung up the phone. She pressed the button again. ‘Mom.’

“You’ve reached Donna. Leave a message at the beep, and I’ll give you a call back.”

There was so much she wanted to say, to share. And she would, one day.

For now, it was just enough to hear her mother’s voice.

“You’ve reached Donna. Leave a message at the beep, and I’ll give you a call back.”