The Sunday Call We Changed

Every Sunday evening, Amir called his younger brother, who lived in another country. They had kept this habit for years. Recently, however, their conversations had become shorter. His brother often looked at the clock, and Amir usually ended the call feeling that he had become a duty.

One evening, Amir almost sent a message saying they should stop calling. Before sending it, he read it again. It sounded like an accusation, although what he really felt was sadness. He deleted the message and asked whether Sunday evenings were still a good time.

His brother answered immediately. His new working week began early on Monday, and Sunday was when he prepared meals and uniforms for his children. He had continued answering because he feared that changing their routine would hurt Amir. Both brothers had been protecting a habit that no longer suited them.

They tried Saturday mornings instead. The next call happened while Amir watered his plants and his brother walked to the bakery. They talked for twenty minutes about ordinary things, including a very stubborn kitchen cupboard. Neither watched the time. Before hanging up, Amir said he was glad he had asked. His brother replied that he wished he had explained a month earlier.