Conversational shortcuts and moms

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“Hello, dear.”

“Hi.”

“It’s your mother.”

“Yes, I know, Mom.”

“Are you coming over soon?”

“Not until Saturday.”

“Not today?”

“Not until Saturday.”

“OK, if you say so.”

“(sigh)”

“What was that, dear?”

“Nothing.”

“You sound tired.”

“I’m fine, Mom.”

“Have you been getting enough sleep?”

“Yes, but the cats sometimes keep me up.”

“It’s not that boy …”

“I told you, we broke up weeks ago.”

“You told me you weren’t that serious.”

“We weren’t, which is why we broke up.”

“And now you can’t sleep.”

“I sleep fine, Mom.”

“I just don’t want you falling asleep on the drive over here.”

“It’s a 10-minute trip.”

“Don’t snap at me, young lady. See how you get cranky when you don’t get enough sleep.”

“(mumbles something)”

“I didn’t get that, dear.”

“I said, I’m sorry.”

“That’s OK. How’s work?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Are you sure? I thought things would be better this month.”

“I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s frustrating and there are people around and I can’t get into the details.”

“Promise me you’re going to talk with the HR lady.”

“She won’t do anything.”

“Not if you don’t speak with her. Do it for me.”

“But it’ll cause more problems. You have to trust me.”

“I do trust you. But maybe if I talked with her …”

“MOM!”

“OK, OK, I don’t want to upset you.”

“You’re not upsetting me, Mom. But don’t talk to the HR woman or anyone else at my office.”

“Ever?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I don’t want to be in the way.”

“Mom, you’re not in the way.”

“They work you too hard, dear.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Maybe if you were a little nicer to your boss …”

“Please please let’s not get into this …”

“All I’m suggesting is that you smile more and say good morning.”

“It’s more complicated than that.”

“Yes, but you have such a lovely smile.”

“(pause)”

“Except for that one little chip in your tooth.”

“Mom-m-m-m …”

“Oh, it’s hardly noticeable. I wish you would get it fixed.”

“I have to go now.”

“OK, dear. I’ll see you on Saturday.”

“Yes, Mom.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

“That’s always nice to hear, dear.”

“Goodbye, Mom.”

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