This is from the Hamilton [ON] Spectator, a special to today's Ottawa Citizen, and it's quite lovely:
The caller spoke in a soft voice, with an English accent. Brenda Johnstone thought he sounded familiar, though she couldn't quite place it.
"Can I speak to Rebecca Johnstone, please?" he asked.
Brenda didn't think it was a good idea. These are rough days for her 19-year-old daughter. Rebecca has cancer.
Three years ago, a mole on her collarbone that doctors kept telling her was nothing turned out to be melanoma. By the time the truth was discovered, it had spread. Doctors have told the family that, without some kind of miracle, time is now being measured in days rather than weeks or months.
So when the call came last Wednesday morning, Brenda was reluctant to disturb her sleeping child. No problem. The caller politely offered to call back at a better time.
"It's David Beckham," he said.
Brenda put her Becca on, and four minutes of talk ensued.
In the most strained of voices, Becca and Becks talked about soccer. He asked how she was doing. Told her he'd heard she was a big fan. Even mentioned that he liked her nickname.
He asked if there was anything he could do for her. When she said no, he asked if he could send her something. She didn't say no to that. Then he told her to get in touch if she needed anything.
The Hamilton Spectator
Posted by Ally at January 27, 2007 11:10 AM