--MYSTERIOUS WAYS ~~ MORE THAN COINCIDENCE ~~

--THE front door closing behind me sounded incredibly loud in the cold, empty house. Living alone for the first time in 45 years wasn't getting any easier. A year after my husband's death, I was still struggling.

My cousin had been going out of her way to keep me company. We'd spent a lot of time together recently. She treated me to lunch, brought me along with her on shopping trips. She seemed determined just to make me smile.
A few days ago, we'd roamed a flea market. She'd picked up a colorful teapot for herself. I'd fallen in love with a small ceramic music box that had cost me only a dollar. It still worked too! It played a tune that was familiar, though I couldn't recall the name of the song. The music box made a lovely addition to the dresser in my guest bedroom.

My cousin and I had just spent a long weekend together on a spur-of-the-moment bus tour. I'd had a wonderful time, but when the trip was over, I came home on my own. Now, standing in my darkened hallway, bags in hand, I realized how alone that was.

I set my bags down, then went into the kitchen. The first thing I did was check my answering machine. One new message. It was from my doctor. I listened, numb, as his tinny voice told me that the mammogram I'd had the week before was "unclear." I would need to come back for another. And soon.

Now I was alone and scared. In that moment, I desperately needed a hug, One I knew wouldn't come. But the tears did.

I was still crying when I heard it, faint yet unmistakable. Music.

Where was it coming from? The farther I walked into the house, the louder it became. It was coming from the guest bedroom.

There on the dresser was the little music box I'd gotten at the flea market. The button to start the music was under the box. There was nothing on the dresser that could have pressed it. And it couldn't have gone off on its own like that. I stood, mystified, my cheeks still wet with tears. Then I realized that I recognized the tinkling melody more and more. I played the music box several times until I remembered the words:

--"I just called to say I love you. / I just called to say how much I care..."--
I smiled. Maybe I wasn't so alone after all. ~~

--GUIDEPOSTS/SE
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