Friendly Phone Number

HELLO? ANYBODY THERE?
phone-callAnnalisa bought a new address book. As she was writing the names from the old book, she noticed her friends name. Linda had died several months ago. She felt silly transferring the name to the new book, but she felt a little strange to just ignore it. She knew she was being a bit morbid, but something was telling her to dial that number. Maybe to know and hear that it didn’t belong to her friend anymore might bring some closure to her. She was having trouble dealing with the grief that was with her almost daily.

Much to her shock, LINDA ANSWERED. Taken aback, she stuttered the beginning of a conversation. In no time, they were talking like the old friends they were. The last several months were especially hard for Annalisa. In addition to losing Linda, her fiancee left her, so she used the opportunity to pour her heart out to Linda. In doing so, the bitterness and hurt she felt lifted from her soul.

Linda asked why Annalisa hadn’t called in so long. “Why hasn’t Bruce Called?” Linda cried. “He promised to always be there for me.”

Bruce was the driver of the car that took Linda’s life. He was driving her home after her bridal shower and the shower gifts were packed not only in the trunk but high in the back seat, blocking the back windows. They were to be married in just three short weeks. Bruce was injured in the accident and had been in a deep coma since that day. He knew nothing about Linda’s death.

Annalisa was thrown off guard. How do you answer such a question? Linda continued, “Why haven’t you called all these long months? Why hasn’t Bruce called?” She asked this over and over.

Not knowing what else to say, she gasped “BECAUSE YOU DIED.” Annalisa heard no reply. All she heard was the DIAL TONE! Her heart was pounding in her ears, as she hurriedly dialed the number again. “Pizza Hut Pizza” announced the voice on the other end.

Reader Submitted by,
Jason Qualls from Elhart, IN