It was almost 8:30 when I finished unloading the dishes. I had a lot on my mind lately, and I couldn't get it out of my mind. I did tell Howard not too long ago that I would be missing out on the farewell party for Dawn and Mary Anne. We heard they will be moving to Maine because of Mary Anne's father.

I was also invited, but I don't think I would be going. At the last minute, I forgot that I had a family emergency and would be leaving a couple days before my friends do. It was a funeral because one of my cousins died recently. I would miss her. We were pretty close too when we were growing up, so it would take a long time to grieve.

When I finished the dishes, I heard the telephone ring. I answered it.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hi, Al," I heard a voice say.

The voice was familiar, and I figured out it was Mallory. She was one of the girls I had met the last time we met.

"Hello, Mallory," I greeted her.

"I got Howard's letter. We still have Richie's from the last time we heard from you all. I was calling because I have something to ask you," Mallory told me.

"What's that, Mallory?" I asked.

The grief was already beginning to come back. I don't know what to do for distraction.

"Well, Jessi and I would be graduating from eighth grade this June. I got to talking with her. She liked the idea that I call you guys and invite you," she told me.

"I don't know, Mallory. Let me think about it for a while. How long did you say we were getting together for the party?" I asked.

She told me.

"I won't be coming, Mallory. Sorry to disappoint you about not showing up for both parties," I said.

Now the grief was coming faster.

"Why not, Al?" she asked.

"Because I have to be at a funeral for a cousin that died almost a month ago. I almost forgot about it when we were talking about the pizza party. That's why I had Howard write you girls for me. I just can't seem to concentrate on writing personal letters," I said.

"That's too bad, Al. Dawn and Mary Anne would notice you won't be with us," she said.

"I know. They will ask questions," I replied.

"Of course they will. We all had fun meeting you and your friends," Mallory told me.

"I can make up for it next time we get together," I said.

"When I called Richie after reading the letter, I called him right away. It was a nice conversation the two of us had," Mallory replied.

"That's good. I talked with the gang and we all liked the idea of having a pizza party. Potsie came up with the idea of making a dessert pizza for everyone," I told her.

"That's a good idea. Did you remember Stacey and Mary Anne can't eat pizza?" Mallory asked.

"I guess we forgot about it. I'll remind them when I see them again. I usually make pizza homemade," I replied.

"That's good. We don't do that often in my family. You and your friends are going to stay with Kristy. Please change your mind about coming along. Are you flying or driving?" Mallory asked.

"Driving," I answered.

Then I had a question for her.

"I have a question," I said.

"What's that?" Mallory asked me.

"You said we would be staying with Kristy. I thought we would be staying in a hotel," I said.

"No. Richie and the others already know that you're staying with Kristy. That's why I called Richie so you won't have to mess around by coming home with a hotel bill," she said.

"Tell me why Kristy's place," I said.

"Well, I'm not sure if she shared with you that she lives in a mansion," Mallory began.

"I don't think we heard that. So you're saying she grew up with money?" I asked.

"No, she didn't grow up with money, Al. Her stepfather is a millionaire, and it's big enough to have you stay over there during your visit," Mallory answered.

"That's cool. I've never met a millionaire or visited as a guest to see a mansion in person. I've seen those only on TV, but not real life," I replied, thinking that was pretty cool the gang would be staying in a mansion.

"What did Richie have to say about her stepfather?" I asked.

"He thought it was pretty neat. I guess your other friends agreed to stay there during the pizza party," she told me.

"I'm sorry to tell you about not me showing up, Mallory. I'm staying there at my cousin's brother's place. We're going to pack up her things. They would be going to be given away to family and friends. Whoever doesn't want her stuff, it would be given to charities," I told her.

"I guess that goes for money too," Mallory said.

"Yes. So it's important to stay there until we give all of her things away. I almost forgot about it when we talked about the party for Dawn and Mary Anne. That's why I didn't want to remind my friends," I said.

"Who's taking over Arnold's while you and your gang leave?" Mallory asked.

I told her.

"Oh. We haven't heard from Fonzie lately. How is he doing?" she asked.

"He's doing fine. He is pretty excited to go out and see you. I'll tell them about the graduation if you want me to or you can call them yourself," I told her.

"I'll do that. You can tell your friends that I called to invite you all to our graduation," she said.

"Sounds like a good plan to me. Nice try on talking me out of not showing up. I'll do my best to make up for it," I said.

"Okay. There's always time to make up for it," she said.

"I know. You know how it is when things like this come up," I replied.

"Of course I do. Is this relative of yours going to be in ashes or not?" Mallory asked.

"I don't know anything, Mallory. I just didn't want to ask my cousin's brother. Tell the other girls I said I'm sorry for canceling out on the surprise. Give them a hug for me," I told her.

I figured it out that Mallory noticed that I was starting to become more depressed by the minute. I'm sure she understood.

"I'll pass it on, Al. You can still call us when you get to your cousin's safely," Mallory said.

"I might. I'll keep that in mind too," I said.

Once again I apologized for not being able to show up with my friends.

"I'll tell them you called me," I said.

"Good. Take care," she said.

Then I hung up the phone.

I will pack up maybe tomorrow or the next day.