Part 2 of 7 in the series “What Containers Reveal”
Thirteen messages saved on the phone of Dr. Lena Park, retrieved during the estate settlement process. Caller: her brother, James Park. Messages span fourteen months. Transcribed as received.
Message 1 — March 3
Hey, it’s me. Just calling to say happy birthday. I know you’re probably in the lab. You’re always in the lab. Mom says you’re working on something with proteins? I don’t know. She tried to explain it and I could hear you in the background correcting her.
Anyway. Forty-two. That’s — that’s real. Call me back when you surface.
Message 2 — March 20
Hey. Me again. Tried you twice this week. Listen, it’s about Dad’s house. The realtor says we need to decide before April or we lose the buyer. I know you have feelings about the house but having feelings isn’t the same as having a plan, and I need you to pick up the phone and tell me what you want to do.
You can call me after midnight, I don’t care. Just call me.
Message 3 — April 8
Fine. I signed the papers. I left your half in escrow and you can deal with it whenever you decide to rejoin civilian life. I’m not mad, I just — I can’t keep making decisions for both of us and then getting the silent treatment because you didn’t like the decision.
Also, your mailbox is full. You should fix that if you want people to be able to reach you.
Message 4 — April 8 (second message, same day)
Sorry. That last one was — I know you’re not giving me the silent treatment. I know you just get buried. I’m sorry. Call me when you can.
Message 5 — May 14
Mom told me about the grant. That’s amazing, Lena. Seriously. I told Carla and she said “of course she did” which I think is a compliment? With Carla it’s hard to tell sometimes.
The kids want to see you. Sophie drew you a picture of a “protean” which is a protein but with a face and legs. It’s on the fridge. You’d love it.
No pressure on calling back. I just wanted you to know we’re proud of you.
Message 6 — July 22
Quick one — Sophie’s birthday is August 10th. She specifically asked if Aunt Lena is coming. I said I’d ask. I’m asking.
She’s turning seven and she wants a microscope. Guess who she gets that from.
Message 7 — August 11
She had a great birthday. She loved the microscope. The card said “Sorry I couldn’t be there, look at everything” and Sophie has been looking at EVERYTHING. Salt. Hair. A dead ant. Her own spit, which — yeah.
You missed a good party. But the microscope was a good move. I’ll send photos.
Message 8 — October 2
Hey. Mom said you were in the hospital? She was weird about it on the phone. She said “just a thing” which is what she says when it’s not just a thing. Can you call me? Or text. Or send a carrier pigeon. I don’t care, just let me know you’re okay.
Message 9 — October 2 (one hour later)
I called the university and they said you’re on leave. Lena. Call me.
Message 10 — October 3
Okay, Mom finally told me. I’m coming out there next week. Don’t argue. You can’t argue because you’d have to pick up the phone to argue, so I win by default.
I’ll be there Thursday.
Message 11 — November 15
Just checking in. How’s the new place? Did the movers get the bookshelf through the door or did they have to do the thing where they tilt it? Every time I move that bookshelf I think about Dad trying to get it up the stairs and saying words Mom pretended not to hear.
Carla says the guest room is ready whenever. No expiration date on that.
Message 12 — February 6
Hey. I know it’s been a while since I called. I think — I think I was waiting for you to call me first, which is stupid because that’s never been how we work. I call, you listen eventually, that’s the deal. I forgot the deal.
Sophie asked about you yesterday. Not “is Aunt Lena coming to visit,” just “is Aunt Lena okay.” Kids ask the real questions.
I told her yes. I’d like that to be true. Call me if it is. Call me if it isn’t.
Message 13 — March 3
Happy birthday. Forty-three.
I’m leaving you this message in the parking lot outside your building. I drove nine hours because you won’t answer the phone and I need to see your face and know that you’re alright. I know you’re inside because your car is here and the light in your office is on. Third floor, second window from the left. I’ve been looking at it for twenty minutes.
I’m going to come in. I just wanted to leave this message first so that when you listen to it later — because you will listen to it later, you listen to all of them, I know you do — you’ll know I was here in the parking lot, looking at your window, and I wasn’t angry. I was just here.
I’m coming up now.
[End of saved messages]