Life With My Arab Mom: Phone Calls and Fandom

Mom and I sit to eat dinner.

Mom: I can’t believe no one has called me today! My phone hasn’t rung once.

Me: Weren’t you on the phone with your sister earlier today for like 2 hours?

Mom: That’s different. We had important family issues to talk about.

Me: Wasn’t one of the conversations about how your friends admire you so much that one of them even said “ You’re so nice, I can’t imagine anyone not liking you”?

(My mother is a typical Gemini: loves attention and admiration and is constantly hungry for it.)

Mom: That was for 5 minutes, and I was making a point. It’s not just me, but my siblings are all lovable people.

Me: No doubt, mom. But I think it’s okay if a day goes by without talking to your friends.

Mom: Not for me! We talk everyday. Sometimes two or three times a day.

Me: Which is why I couldn’t be more thankful for unlimited talk phone plans.

(A few minutes later, her phone buzzes. A text came in. My mom reaches for her phone and opens the text.)

Mom: (smiling) Oh my gosh, the people at CVS are so sweet!

Me: What are you talking about?

Mom: They just sent me a text saying my medication is ready to get picked up, and it says “Ms. Mahmoud.” (She puffs up a bit.) They all know who I am!!! How sweet is that?!

(I had two choices. 1. Burst her bubble and tell her it’s an automated message that’s sent to all clients with their name. 2. Let her have her 5 minutes of fame.)

Mom: They sent me another text!

Me: They must really like you there, mom.

Mom: They do. I know them all. I think I’ll go pick up the meds after dinner. Say hi to them too.

Me: You go do that, Mama. Make your fans happy. ;)