And somehow I missed her call, but she left a voice mail. She was calling, she said, for Hillary for South Carolina. Her voice was soft, a little nervous and unsure. She sounded liked me when I was making calls for Bernie before the primary. She sounded, as I did, like she was doing something that was a stretch for her, that was difficult for her to do, reaching out by phone to strangers. But she was doing it anyway because there was something, perhaps, that compelled her to go beyond her comfort zone, as I felt compelled.

She told me we just have a week until the election, and encouraged me to get out and "vote Democratic down the line." Because it's important. That's why Mary was doing this, even though it was hard for her. Because it's important.

Mary, wherever you are, I'm sorry I missed your call and thank you for calling. Thank you for caring. I just want you to know that you don't have to worry about me. I looked up my ballot information last night and checked up on the candidates. I, along with my husband, will be casting my ballot November 8. We'll be voting "Democratic down the line". Don't worry. For Hillary. For South Carolina. For you, Mary, and all our fellow Americans.