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A Simple Phone Call
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A Simple Phone Call |
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Night_Myst Junior Member
since 2000-08-16
Posts 34River Falls, WI |
The phone rang and Ashley walked over and picked up the receiver. “I wonder what it’d be like to have my last words be ‘No thanks, I’m not interested,’” she thought to herself. After all, it would be a fitting way to go, seeing how the weeks had been passing. “Hello?” she answered. On the other end was something she could not have expected. It was her boyfriend whom she had not talked to for over three months. Ashley beamed with joy. Ever since they graduated from high school, Ashley and Jack had hardly spoken, and now here he was talking to her on the phone. “How are you doing?” he asked. “Oh, I’m doing fine, I guess,” she replied. In her heart, she knew it was a lie. Everything in life seemed to be going badly. People at college didn’t seem to like her much. They didn’t like her ideas, the way she dressed, or even the way she joked around. Beyond that, the only people that seemed to like her only wanted to date her. When she turned them down, they only looked upon her with scorn. Also, classes weren’t going well. She didn’t seem to care about anything that was happening in classes. Even in art, her favorite subject, she found no interest and no inspiration. “How are you? It’s been so long since I’ve talked to you.” “Well, things are pretty hectic around here, but I’ve got some time to relax and I thought I’d give you a call and catch up with things.” He could hear the lie that she had told. All was not well with her. They had been friends for over six years, and he knew everything about her, right down to where she sets her car keys on the table. Six years of knowing her also taught him not to pry, and she would tell as things went on. The next half an hour came and went. They talked about everything. They talked about their roommates, the dorm food, their classes, and even about their sports teams. All in the course of this conversation, all of Ashley’s problems came out. “Jack, the people don’t like me out here. They’re all different from all of my friends back home. They all dress different, act different, and they all have different ideas of what’s cool. I just don’t fit in. I wish you were here, I know you’d still be here for me.” “I miss you too, but we’ll see each other soon. It’s only a couple weeks until winter break. I’m sure you’ll find your niche soon. It takes a while, but I’m sure people will find out how good of a person you really are. All in good time. All in good time, my dear.” Ashley could almost see her problems leaving her as he spoke. He could always make the world and all of its problems go away. Peacefulness flowed into her body like a river flowing to the sea. The world lifted itself from her shoulders and the sun broke through the clouds. All was bright, and all was well. There was hope yet. It would be better. There was a way out. The next hour was a blur. They laughed together for the first time in months. Ashley’s tension was released and all was well again. But as all other things in life, this portal to greatness had to close. “Thank you so much for calling,” Ashley said to Jack. “I really missed talking to people I care about. I hope we can talk again soon.” “Oh, it was my pleasure,” Jack replied. “The sound of your voice is so soothing. It makes me glad to know that you’re doing well. We will have to talk again soon. It was great talking to you. Goodbye.” “Goodbye Jack,” With that, Ashley hung up the phone. An hour and a half had passed since the phone rung. She picked up the many bottles of pills that she had set out on her bed and put them back into the cupboard. “Maybe I’ll save those last words for a much later day,” she thought to herself. “A much later day.” [This message has been edited by Night_Myst (edited 12-14-2000).] |
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Broken_Winged_Angel Senior Member
since 2000-04-06
Posts 994Small Town, Somewhere |
Nice twist at the end. I really enjoyed reading this and can relate to the main character.  |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
Wonderful story. It's amazing what one phone call can do for a person. A kind word can go a lot farther than anyone can believe. The world can be a dark place, but there are those that really do care. Thanks for the read.  "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other course, no other way... No day but today" ~Broadway Musical RENT~ *Cassandra Roseen* |
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Maverick Wolf Member
since 1999-11-13
Posts 94Scandia, MN |
Great story. I like the way that the thoughts come out. The humor, what little bit there is, keeps the mood light. I like the bit about her last words. It's a light and cheery way to introduce the twist at the end. I love the ending. It's a wonderful twist. Keep writing, you're a great read. [This message has been edited by Maverick Wolf (edited 12-22-2000).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
This was good. You took the reader down an "ordinary" day for many of us, the trial and tribulations of the up and down emotions we have, but at the end [as has been pointed out] you twisted it well into a knot because she was worse off than we expected, and was "saved" by the call. Who says they don't have guardian angels? Karilea If I whisper, will you listen?... I would rather be silent and write, than speak loudly and be bound. KRJ |
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