Good-Bye
This story is about two young boys and their bond through their dog that is shattered. Caleb and Colby Burien are twins who are incredibly alike, but hate each other. What little love they share for each other has to do with their dog, Humble; often called Hum. When Humble dies and the boys blame each other, they don't know if they will ever reconcile before it's too late.
The brown shape pelted between the boys, tongue lolling, and fur flying. The boys, twins, raced with the dog, laughing, eyes shining. One was slightly taller but other than that the two were identical with shaggy blond hair, sky blue eyes, and a freckled complexion. They had the same baby shaped face, and tall, skinny build. As they ran, it was hard to tell the few distinctions between them; that one was taller, and the shorter had slightly longer hair. The two were even very alike in personality; both being very spontaneous and adventurous.
One was just a little more outgoing and friendly than the other. What was strange about the two though was, despite how alike they were; they only got along when their dog was with them. The two had actually picked the dog out together; agreeing he was exactly what they wanted. After much bickering, they had named him Humility, meaning Humble. Humble had a calming effect on the two boys, setting them at ease around each other, as could be seen as they ran through the field together.
Caleb was one the boys. He was the taller of the two with the more outgoing personality. The other was named Colby; he had the longer hair and was rather shy. The boys finally stopped running when Humility lay down for a moment. They both made as if to lay on him, but both stopped just before they butt heads. Caleb stood up and actually gave his brother a small smile, as though indicating he could lay on Humility first. Colby was hesitant at first, but soon hugged Humility before moving aside to let Caleb. After Caleb hugged Humility, the brothers just sat together with the dog between them.
~~~
As the three headed home, Caleb looked at Colby. “Colby, maybe we should go down by the river? Humility loves it there!” Colby was unsure, for it was getting dark. But, he didn’t want this time he was having with his brother to end.
“Sure!” Colby agreed. The three raced off towards the river as though the boys and the dog were one and not, in fact, three. They arrived at the river just a few minutes later, still running along the bank. Colby was closest to the edge and stopped for just a moment to look at the running water; fascinated by it rushing over the rocks.
Caleb grinned to himself. He nudged his brother, just slightly to scare him. Colby turned with a yell. As he looked at his brother, he started to yell and take a step forward. Just as he did, his foot slipped. He reached out for Caleb, letting out a sound somewhere between a yell and a screech. Caleb, eyes wide, reached for his brother; the terror his brother felt reflected in Caleb’s face. But, he wasn’t quick enough and Colby fell with a sickening splash.
Caleb rushed down the bank, yelling Colby’s name. After a minute or so, Colby’s head popped up. He was coughing and sputtering. “Caleb! Caleb!” He choked out. Caleb reached out a hand and Colby reached towards his brother, but a current stole Colby away again. Humility, who had been farther ahead on the trail then the boys, suddenly flew over Caleb and into the rushing water. His mouth fitted around Colby’s shirt collar and he pulled him to shore. Colby pulled himself out and as Caleb and Colby rushed to grab Humility, the unthinkable happened. Humility was pulled under.
“Humility!” The boys screeched, grabbing for the dog as he was pulled under the water. But, the dog was now out of reach and his legs; though strong, couldn’t beat the current. And then… then he was gone. Colby and Caleb stared at the water, looking for the head of Humility, but it never came. Caleb suddenly turned on Colby. “If you hadn’t fell in, Humility would still be here! But, because of you, he’s dead!”
“What about you, huh!? If you hadn’t scared me, I wouldn’t have fallen in!” The two stared at each other, before both turning and making their way slowly up the bank, an unspoken agreement that they would never talk to each other again.
~~~
*40 years later*
Caleb sat comfortably in a huge office at his desk. His desk was quite simple; he had a computer, a phone, a printer, a few scattered papers, and one lone picture frame. The picture in it was of a dog with the words, “RIP Humility” on the frame. From time to time, he would glance up at the picture and smile; ever so slightly.
Years ago, after Humility’s death, he and his brother had made good on their unspoken compromise and never talked again. Hatred bubbled and boiled in both of their chests at the death of the dog; they still blamed each other for the loss of Humility. Caleb jumped as his phone started ringing. A calloused hand reached for the black receiver and he picked it up. His voice was professional and seemed old as he said, “Burien Industry and Co. Caleb Burien speaking.”
“Mr. Burien, I understand Colby Burien was your brother?” A very strict sounding voice said, slowly and clearly.
Caleb hadn’t heard that name in years; he had made it quite clear if someone by that name ever called his secretaries should not send it through. “Yes, he is.” Caleb replied.
“I regret to inform you he died last night at exactly 10:00 PM of a massive heart attack. I’m sorry.” And, with that, the line was cut off.
Caleb slowly put the receiver down and then, just as slowly, picked it back up and dialed his mother’s number…
~~~
*10 days later*
The preacher slowly closed his book. Caleb, his mother, his father, and his younger sister Cassie opened a wooden box and a gorgeous dove flew out. More doves were let out of their cages and the birds gave a fantastic show. After the birds finished their show, his mother came up to Caleb and hugged him.
“This is from Colby. He told me a few days before he died to give this to you on the day of his funeral.” Caleb took an envelope with his name on it. “I love you, Caleb. Call me later, alright?” She said. He nodded and she gave him a watery smile before the two parted ways.
Caleb got in his Toyota, and then drove home. When he got there, he sat in his Lazy Boy chair and slowly opened the envelope.
A note inside read:
“Dear Caleb,
I wish I could tell you this in person but I know you still hate me over what happened to Humility. And I hated you up until about a week ago. I saw a dog about a month ago; he was a German Shepherd just like Humility. And I remembered that day so long ago. Remember Humility? We named him that because he was so humble, even as a puppy. And I remember, we both promised to show Humility as often as possible. And, I realized, I’ve missed you brother. I don’t have much longer to live so… as my dying words to you… I wanted to say;
I love you Caleb. I always have, and I’ve always admired you. You were so outgoing when we were younger and I have to admit I was jealous. So I want to say thank you. For being there when you were and even when you really weren’t. I wish things had been different. And, I know, I’ll see you again someday.
Love, Colby.”
Caleb had tears dripping down his face, staining the letter, but a smile was there to. He looked up and folded the note, putting it on the table by his chair, next to a picture of him, Humility and Colby…
~~~
*Present Day*
Caleb walked to the grave, as he did every day on the day he and Colby had been born. In his hand he had some flowers. He sat on the ground, cleaning the headstone and setting the flowers down with care. Then, he started talking. He talked… and talked… and, with a smile, he said as he stood, “I love you Colby. I’ll be there soon. I can feel it. And I love you to Humility. I’ll be here tomorrow.”
And he was still smiling. Even as he started his car… and drove away.
One was just a little more outgoing and friendly than the other. What was strange about the two though was, despite how alike they were; they only got along when their dog was with them. The two had actually picked the dog out together; agreeing he was exactly what they wanted. After much bickering, they had named him Humility, meaning Humble. Humble had a calming effect on the two boys, setting them at ease around each other, as could be seen as they ran through the field together.
Caleb was one the boys. He was the taller of the two with the more outgoing personality. The other was named Colby; he had the longer hair and was rather shy. The boys finally stopped running when Humility lay down for a moment. They both made as if to lay on him, but both stopped just before they butt heads. Caleb stood up and actually gave his brother a small smile, as though indicating he could lay on Humility first. Colby was hesitant at first, but soon hugged Humility before moving aside to let Caleb. After Caleb hugged Humility, the brothers just sat together with the dog between them.
~~~
As the three headed home, Caleb looked at Colby. “Colby, maybe we should go down by the river? Humility loves it there!” Colby was unsure, for it was getting dark. But, he didn’t want this time he was having with his brother to end.
“Sure!” Colby agreed. The three raced off towards the river as though the boys and the dog were one and not, in fact, three. They arrived at the river just a few minutes later, still running along the bank. Colby was closest to the edge and stopped for just a moment to look at the running water; fascinated by it rushing over the rocks.
Caleb grinned to himself. He nudged his brother, just slightly to scare him. Colby turned with a yell. As he looked at his brother, he started to yell and take a step forward. Just as he did, his foot slipped. He reached out for Caleb, letting out a sound somewhere between a yell and a screech. Caleb, eyes wide, reached for his brother; the terror his brother felt reflected in Caleb’s face. But, he wasn’t quick enough and Colby fell with a sickening splash.
Caleb rushed down the bank, yelling Colby’s name. After a minute or so, Colby’s head popped up. He was coughing and sputtering. “Caleb! Caleb!” He choked out. Caleb reached out a hand and Colby reached towards his brother, but a current stole Colby away again. Humility, who had been farther ahead on the trail then the boys, suddenly flew over Caleb and into the rushing water. His mouth fitted around Colby’s shirt collar and he pulled him to shore. Colby pulled himself out and as Caleb and Colby rushed to grab Humility, the unthinkable happened. Humility was pulled under.
“Humility!” The boys screeched, grabbing for the dog as he was pulled under the water. But, the dog was now out of reach and his legs; though strong, couldn’t beat the current. And then… then he was gone. Colby and Caleb stared at the water, looking for the head of Humility, but it never came. Caleb suddenly turned on Colby. “If you hadn’t fell in, Humility would still be here! But, because of you, he’s dead!”
“What about you, huh!? If you hadn’t scared me, I wouldn’t have fallen in!” The two stared at each other, before both turning and making their way slowly up the bank, an unspoken agreement that they would never talk to each other again.
~~~
*40 years later*
Caleb sat comfortably in a huge office at his desk. His desk was quite simple; he had a computer, a phone, a printer, a few scattered papers, and one lone picture frame. The picture in it was of a dog with the words, “RIP Humility” on the frame. From time to time, he would glance up at the picture and smile; ever so slightly.
Years ago, after Humility’s death, he and his brother had made good on their unspoken compromise and never talked again. Hatred bubbled and boiled in both of their chests at the death of the dog; they still blamed each other for the loss of Humility. Caleb jumped as his phone started ringing. A calloused hand reached for the black receiver and he picked it up. His voice was professional and seemed old as he said, “Burien Industry and Co. Caleb Burien speaking.”
“Mr. Burien, I understand Colby Burien was your brother?” A very strict sounding voice said, slowly and clearly.
Caleb hadn’t heard that name in years; he had made it quite clear if someone by that name ever called his secretaries should not send it through. “Yes, he is.” Caleb replied.
“I regret to inform you he died last night at exactly 10:00 PM of a massive heart attack. I’m sorry.” And, with that, the line was cut off.
Caleb slowly put the receiver down and then, just as slowly, picked it back up and dialed his mother’s number…
~~~
*10 days later*
The preacher slowly closed his book. Caleb, his mother, his father, and his younger sister Cassie opened a wooden box and a gorgeous dove flew out. More doves were let out of their cages and the birds gave a fantastic show. After the birds finished their show, his mother came up to Caleb and hugged him.
“This is from Colby. He told me a few days before he died to give this to you on the day of his funeral.” Caleb took an envelope with his name on it. “I love you, Caleb. Call me later, alright?” She said. He nodded and she gave him a watery smile before the two parted ways.
Caleb got in his Toyota, and then drove home. When he got there, he sat in his Lazy Boy chair and slowly opened the envelope.
A note inside read:
“Dear Caleb,
I wish I could tell you this in person but I know you still hate me over what happened to Humility. And I hated you up until about a week ago. I saw a dog about a month ago; he was a German Shepherd just like Humility. And I remembered that day so long ago. Remember Humility? We named him that because he was so humble, even as a puppy. And I remember, we both promised to show Humility as often as possible. And, I realized, I’ve missed you brother. I don’t have much longer to live so… as my dying words to you… I wanted to say;
I love you Caleb. I always have, and I’ve always admired you. You were so outgoing when we were younger and I have to admit I was jealous. So I want to say thank you. For being there when you were and even when you really weren’t. I wish things had been different. And, I know, I’ll see you again someday.
Love, Colby.”
Caleb had tears dripping down his face, staining the letter, but a smile was there to. He looked up and folded the note, putting it on the table by his chair, next to a picture of him, Humility and Colby…
~~~
*Present Day*
Caleb walked to the grave, as he did every day on the day he and Colby had been born. In his hand he had some flowers. He sat on the ground, cleaning the headstone and setting the flowers down with care. Then, he started talking. He talked… and talked… and, with a smile, he said as he stood, “I love you Colby. I’ll be there soon. I can feel it. And I love you to Humility. I’ll be here tomorrow.”
And he was still smiling. Even as he started his car… and drove away.
Sunlight slanted down through trees, speckling a yellow field of wheat on a gorgeous summer evening. The country side smelled of sunshine and flowers, occasionally cow manure as is the norm, and the sound of bird song filled the air. The wheat field was still, except for the in the middle where stalks waved as three shapes tramped them. Laughter chorused out of two young boys as they chased a brown shape just ahead of them. The boys, twins, watched their dog in awe; attempting to keep up and failing. There was little difference between the boys, and certainly nothing that could be told just from seeing their running figures. One, Caleb, was just slightly taller; while his brother, Colby, had a tad longer hair. Their hair was the same floppy, sandy colored mop; their eyes the same glimmering blue green, and their skin the same freckled complexion. Upon meeting them, it was hard to tell the difference also because they shared similar personality traits. Both hard-workers, stubborn and eager to please; though Caleb had a wild streak while Colby was very much "play it by the book".
Because of their similarities, it was hard to understand why the boys hated each other as much as they did. But, the hatred was there; except when their dog was around. Humble, a shelter German Shepherd, had brought the boys closer than anything else had. Originally, their parents had intended to get them their own dogs. They both found it hard to make, and keep, friends; and plus they rarely enjoyed each others company. Their parents wanted them to grow up feeling as though they each had at least one friend, and so the family made the journey to the pound sometime after the boys turned 14.
Flashback
The day was warm and inviting as the family of four strapped into their old beat up wagon. The twins sat in the back, looking moodily out their respective windows. "Oh c'mon Caleb, Colby." Their mother sighed. "Today's the day! You get to choose your own perfect pooches." She gave them one of her prize-winning smiles, but the boys only grimaced back. They already knew the struggled would be real to find their own personal pet and not both want the same animal or, otherwise, despise the others pet.
"Enough starin' out them there windows like y'all are in some sad song music videos. Buck up, plaster a smile on your face no matter fake, and pretend to be excited for your mothers sake!" Their father exclaimed from the drivers sit. Their parents were young, but the boys constant fighting had aged them beyond their years and both had become fed up with the argumentative children. The decision for them to get dogs had not been reached easily, resulting in several small fights between their parents as their mother pushed for their father to agree.
When he did agree, he made it clear he would not drop several hundred dollars on working farm dogs, but rather spend $50 apiece at the shelter for some mutts. "That way if the boys completely neglect them like I'm predicting, there's no money outta my pocket." Was always his grunted reasoning. When they did finally arrive that fateful day, the boys walked slowly into the building; obviously disinterested. Until their eyes landed on him.
He was a brown and black German Shepherd pup with eyes of pure gold. Both brothers wanted him; and even agreed to get along should they get him. The family of four settled on the name Humble, and then took the bundle home; where things did seem to get better... Though that didn't last long.
Present Day
This particular evening was on of the boys' better evenings. Frolicking in the wheat together was something reserved only for when the now 2 year old Humble wanted it. When the boys reached the top of the wheat laden hill, they both dropped to their stomachs, looking in awe at their German Shepherd. He stood at the tip of the hill, eyes closed and head high. His tail was perked behind him, and his ears perked as well. The wind, though slight, blew through his slightly thick fur and made him give a shake. He turned after, loping to his boys and giving them each a lick on the face. Both boys laughed, before rolling on their backs; Humble flopping and flipping into the same position they shared in the middle.
On that hilltop, they watched the sun slowly set before pushing to their feet and heading home. "Hey Colby, how aboutta a trip to the creek on our way? Humble will love it, and his coat will be dry in this heat before we're even halfway home!"
"Sure Caleb! Just remember, the middle section of the creek has some tough currents. We don't want him gettin' in those!"
"Last on there's a rotten egg!"
With that, the trio raced towards the creek; Caleb arriving just a split second before Colby; but several after Humble. Humble had already launched into the creek, swimming in circles before bounding out and further along the trail. Both boys crouched by the creek, using their hands to get cool drinks and splash the refreshing water on their faces. Caleb stood before Colby, and was hit with a wicked idea.
He nudged his brother hard with the toe of his boot, and laughed as his brother screamed and latched onto some exposed roots near the creek. Colby's face grew red with anger, before he clambered to his feet and whirled on his brother. "Why you... you... you... Bully!" He bellowed, his eyes filling to the brim with tears. He used all his strength to shove, Caleb; before racing along the creek bank. 'We were having such a nice day! Why would he want to ruin it!?" Colby reiterated over and over in his head.
Eventually, Caleb caught up with Colby and Humble; the two were sitting on the edge of the bank with Colby's arms around Humble as he cried gently into the dogs neck fur. Caleb sneered, "Why ya gotta be such a big baby Colbly? Our 16th birthday is next month and everyone still thinks we're kids because every little thing triggers one of your... your... crying attacks!" As Caleb had been yelling, Colby had gotten to his feet; face growing red once more.
"If you didn't always haveta be such a jerk, maybe we could actually be friends! Ever think of that Caleb?" Colby roared.
Overwhelmed with anger, Caleb shoved his brother; pushing him into the creek by accident... And directly into the middle with the strong currents. Colby was yanked downstream, screaming and fighting to stay above water all the time. "Colby! Hang on!" Caleb screamed, panic overwhelming him as he tried to come up with an idea to save his brother. Suddenly, there was a loud splash and Caleb looked to see Humble swimming to Colby.
Humble caught Colby's shirt by the collar, and Colby immediately turned to grip Humble's neck. Humble fought to get Colby to shore. Colby clambered up as quickly as he could, before spinning to reach for the dog who was now using his teeth to hold onto a root. His golden eyes stared in first Caleb and then Colby's as the boys tried to snag his collar, before he lost his grip on the root and was whisked away by the current forever...
Because of their similarities, it was hard to understand why the boys hated each other as much as they did. But, the hatred was there; except when their dog was around. Humble, a shelter German Shepherd, had brought the boys closer than anything else had. Originally, their parents had intended to get them their own dogs. They both found it hard to make, and keep, friends; and plus they rarely enjoyed each others company. Their parents wanted them to grow up feeling as though they each had at least one friend, and so the family made the journey to the pound sometime after the boys turned 14.
Flashback
The day was warm and inviting as the family of four strapped into their old beat up wagon. The twins sat in the back, looking moodily out their respective windows. "Oh c'mon Caleb, Colby." Their mother sighed. "Today's the day! You get to choose your own perfect pooches." She gave them one of her prize-winning smiles, but the boys only grimaced back. They already knew the struggled would be real to find their own personal pet and not both want the same animal or, otherwise, despise the others pet.
"Enough starin' out them there windows like y'all are in some sad song music videos. Buck up, plaster a smile on your face no matter fake, and pretend to be excited for your mothers sake!" Their father exclaimed from the drivers sit. Their parents were young, but the boys constant fighting had aged them beyond their years and both had become fed up with the argumentative children. The decision for them to get dogs had not been reached easily, resulting in several small fights between their parents as their mother pushed for their father to agree.
When he did agree, he made it clear he would not drop several hundred dollars on working farm dogs, but rather spend $50 apiece at the shelter for some mutts. "That way if the boys completely neglect them like I'm predicting, there's no money outta my pocket." Was always his grunted reasoning. When they did finally arrive that fateful day, the boys walked slowly into the building; obviously disinterested. Until their eyes landed on him.
He was a brown and black German Shepherd pup with eyes of pure gold. Both brothers wanted him; and even agreed to get along should they get him. The family of four settled on the name Humble, and then took the bundle home; where things did seem to get better... Though that didn't last long.
Present Day
This particular evening was on of the boys' better evenings. Frolicking in the wheat together was something reserved only for when the now 2 year old Humble wanted it. When the boys reached the top of the wheat laden hill, they both dropped to their stomachs, looking in awe at their German Shepherd. He stood at the tip of the hill, eyes closed and head high. His tail was perked behind him, and his ears perked as well. The wind, though slight, blew through his slightly thick fur and made him give a shake. He turned after, loping to his boys and giving them each a lick on the face. Both boys laughed, before rolling on their backs; Humble flopping and flipping into the same position they shared in the middle.
On that hilltop, they watched the sun slowly set before pushing to their feet and heading home. "Hey Colby, how aboutta a trip to the creek on our way? Humble will love it, and his coat will be dry in this heat before we're even halfway home!"
"Sure Caleb! Just remember, the middle section of the creek has some tough currents. We don't want him gettin' in those!"
"Last on there's a rotten egg!"
With that, the trio raced towards the creek; Caleb arriving just a split second before Colby; but several after Humble. Humble had already launched into the creek, swimming in circles before bounding out and further along the trail. Both boys crouched by the creek, using their hands to get cool drinks and splash the refreshing water on their faces. Caleb stood before Colby, and was hit with a wicked idea.
He nudged his brother hard with the toe of his boot, and laughed as his brother screamed and latched onto some exposed roots near the creek. Colby's face grew red with anger, before he clambered to his feet and whirled on his brother. "Why you... you... you... Bully!" He bellowed, his eyes filling to the brim with tears. He used all his strength to shove, Caleb; before racing along the creek bank. 'We were having such a nice day! Why would he want to ruin it!?" Colby reiterated over and over in his head.
Eventually, Caleb caught up with Colby and Humble; the two were sitting on the edge of the bank with Colby's arms around Humble as he cried gently into the dogs neck fur. Caleb sneered, "Why ya gotta be such a big baby Colbly? Our 16th birthday is next month and everyone still thinks we're kids because every little thing triggers one of your... your... crying attacks!" As Caleb had been yelling, Colby had gotten to his feet; face growing red once more.
"If you didn't always haveta be such a jerk, maybe we could actually be friends! Ever think of that Caleb?" Colby roared.
Overwhelmed with anger, Caleb shoved his brother; pushing him into the creek by accident... And directly into the middle with the strong currents. Colby was yanked downstream, screaming and fighting to stay above water all the time. "Colby! Hang on!" Caleb screamed, panic overwhelming him as he tried to come up with an idea to save his brother. Suddenly, there was a loud splash and Caleb looked to see Humble swimming to Colby.
Humble caught Colby's shirt by the collar, and Colby immediately turned to grip Humble's neck. Humble fought to get Colby to shore. Colby clambered up as quickly as he could, before spinning to reach for the dog who was now using his teeth to hold onto a root. His golden eyes stared in first Caleb and then Colby's as the boys tried to snag his collar, before he lost his grip on the root and was whisked away by the current forever...
It had been some months before Humble's untimely death. The boys had never reconciled. At school, they avoided each other completely and at home they exchanged few words. This went on until they turned 18 and each moved out. Caleb went on to become rather successful in the business industry, while Colby managed to have a beautiful family. Neither ever heard from each other again, until 40 years later.
"Mr. Burien, you have a call." A musical voice floated to Caleb through his phone that sat on his oak desk. The desk was scantily organized with only a coffee mug, reading "#1 Boss" of all things, a computer, keyboard and mouse, a stack of paper and a few pens, his name plaque and a lone picture frame. In the frame was a picture of Humble, with the words "R.I.P Humble" inscribed on the frame.
"Send it through Samantha." Caleb spoke, forgetting to ask who it was from.
The phone rang for a moment before Caleb reached for the receiver and flipped it onto the desk on its back activating the speaker function. "Burien Industry and Co. This is Caleb Burien speaking. How may I help you today?"
"Hello Mr. Burien. I understand Colby Burien was your brother?" A deep voice questioned.
Caleb was taken aback for a moment, he hadn't heard that name in years, before he replied. "Yes he is. But whatever trouble he's gotten himself into I'm not interested in digging him out!"
The voice faltered for a moment before replying. "Sir, I'm calling to inform you that your brother died last night. You may want to contact your family for the funeral arrangements." And with that, the line went dead.
It was some moments before Caleb lifted the receiver to call his mother.
"Mr. Burien, you have a call." A musical voice floated to Caleb through his phone that sat on his oak desk. The desk was scantily organized with only a coffee mug, reading "#1 Boss" of all things, a computer, keyboard and mouse, a stack of paper and a few pens, his name plaque and a lone picture frame. In the frame was a picture of Humble, with the words "R.I.P Humble" inscribed on the frame.
"Send it through Samantha." Caleb spoke, forgetting to ask who it was from.
The phone rang for a moment before Caleb reached for the receiver and flipped it onto the desk on its back activating the speaker function. "Burien Industry and Co. This is Caleb Burien speaking. How may I help you today?"
"Hello Mr. Burien. I understand Colby Burien was your brother?" A deep voice questioned.
Caleb was taken aback for a moment, he hadn't heard that name in years, before he replied. "Yes he is. But whatever trouble he's gotten himself into I'm not interested in digging him out!"
The voice faltered for a moment before replying. "Sir, I'm calling to inform you that your brother died last night. You may want to contact your family for the funeral arrangements." And with that, the line went dead.
It was some moments before Caleb lifted the receiver to call his mother.