The Telephone Lesson

Mia is six years old. Today her grandmother gives her a small phone.

“This is for us,” her grandmother says. “When you miss me, you call me.” “When I miss you, I call you.”

Mia looks at the phone. “Where are the numbers?”

Her grandmother points. “Here.” “You press my name, and the phone calls me.”

Mia presses the name. The phone rings. Her grandmother's phone rings too, in her pocket.

“Hello?” her grandmother says into the telephone.

“Hello!” Mia says. “It's me!”

“I know it's you,” her grandmother says, and she smiles.

Mia laughs. “Goodbye, Grandma!”

“Goodbye?” “But you are here with me.”

“I know,” Mia says. “I just like the phone.”