mapsedge | So, my phone rings...

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My cellphone rings. There are only three people on the planet that ever call me on my cell during the workday, and I know all their numbers. This morning, I didn't recognize the number. I pick up.

"This is William."

"Oh." Pause. A woman's voice. "Not Charlie, I guess."

"Not today, no."

"Sorry. Wrong number."

"Right-o."

Click. Next time, things'll be a little different.

I pick up.

"0895, receiving encrypted. Go ahead on green."

"Oh." Pause. A woman's voice. "Not Charlie, I guess."

Pause. In a tight, tense voice: "Holy shit, somebody got through. MIKE! Take two men, lock the signal, go find her, take care of it!!!"

Click.

Soon. Yes, very soon.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

starwyse.livejournal.com

I should do that, make an appointment or something for the Bob whose number I have for almost three years...

From:

iarraidh.livejournal.com

No, no, no...

"Hello. Is Bob there?"

"I'm sorry, haven't you heard? Bob passed last Tuesday. The service was lovely, though."

From:

billthetailor.livejournal.com

ACK!!! Did that the morning my dad died. The neighbor, completely unaware of the morning's events, called to talk to me about mowing her lawn that summer, and after a few minutes ironing out the details, asked, "And how's your dad?"

In the grand tradition of British kids being interviewed on the radio ("And where is your mommy?" "Oh, she's been blown to bits.") I answered, "Oh, yeah, he died."

Silence for almost a full minute. I don't even remember her response, but the phone call ended shortly thereafter. And I mowed her lawn for three more years after that.

From:

billthetailor.livejournal.com

Do. It's marvelous fun. We get a call her at the office every Wednesday afternoon asking for "Charles Trump". We have repeatedly told the caller - it's a business - that there is no "Charles Trump" here. I can't decide if they really want to find someone by that name, of if they're just phishing. Regardless, I've told my partner to hand it off to me the next time they call. Not decided what I'll do, yet...