PullOfTheEdge5 - The Monday Morning Memo

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“It was a lovely Saturday afternoon in early May. Nell and I were just about to go to the farmer’s market with our canvas bags in hand when her mother, Peggy, called from the Upper East side. I handed Nell the telephone.

‘Hey, Mom. What’s up?’

‘Can you come uptown?’

‘When?’

‘Now.’

‘Right now?’

‘There’s something I need to discuss with you.’

Nell rolled her eyes for my benefit. The last time her mother had summoned her uptown because she needed to express her dissatisfaction with what Nell had worn to Ellie Houghton’s engagement party at the Colony Club. (Too black, too short, too zippery.)

A few months after that, it was to remind Nell of the importance of sending thank-you notes to aunts, even the ones who give you socks for your birthday.

Nell could have asked what was on her mother’s mind, but there would have been no point. If Peggy had decided to tell you something in person, you weren’t going to hear what it was until you were sitting face-to-face. And in the meantime, she’d be dwelling on it, becoming more dissatisfied, more convinced that some essential lesson of your upbringing had been carelessly disregarded. So, Nell and her sister had learned long ago that when Peggy had something to discuss, the sooner you discussed it, the better.

‘All right,’ said Nell, handing me her empty bag. ‘I’m on my way.’

“

- Amor Towles, Table for Two, p. 107-108 "I Will Survive"

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