"Mom? Mother?" "Dorie?" "Mother, are you all right?" "I'm fine, dear. Are… are you all right?" There was a note of panic in her voice. "Of course. Is something wrong?" "No. Not here. Has something happened there?" "No." "Then why are you calling me?" It wasn't that Dorie had to keep reminding herself that she loved her mother, but it was moments like this when she'd remember the fact most forcefully. "Mother, I'd call you every day if you ever gave me a chance to dial the phone. But I never have to call you because you call every morning before my eyes are open." "I like having coffee with you." "I like having coffee with you too," she said, an honest answer for the most part. "But you don't have to have a heart attack if I happen to beat you to the buttons once in a while." "Well, I was just so surprised." Dorie could almost see her placing a hand over her heart. "I'm sorry I startled you. And I'm fine. I called to ask if you'd go to that little hobby shop you like so much and see if they have a cake pan shaped like a cow.
