11/09/2011

Transference

(Photo from 123RF, Royalty Free Stock Photos, edited)

I called your office one weekend. I knew you wouldn’t be there, but just knowing the phone would ring in your space made me feel closer to you. Your answering machine picked up my call, and I was shocked to hear your voice. Not one of the many layers between us had snagged the call so some self-important guardian at your gate could ward me off. Instead, I heard your voice, filled with warmth and caring. I wondered: how did you know I would call?

Once I knew you were waiting for my call, I punched in your number over and over, and listened to your unspoken words of affection. I called so many times, I could picture the telephone lines between my phone and yours burning up from overuse. With every call, I expected Ma Bell to answer, chastising me with “now you’ve done it.” But you were always there, filled with anticipation. Your voice embraced me, though you concealed your feelings from prying ears with words about office hours and the doctor on call.

That was so many years ago, and I got over you. Sorry. I heard after a while that you and your wife got divorced. By then I didn’t care, but I wondered: how did she know about us? You never did.


14 comments:

  1. what's all this then? an unsettling bit, and creepy

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  2. A relationship through … the voice in the answering machine. Sad, disturbed, disturbing.

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  3. yeah that one is a bit disturbing...ha

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  4. That is one wacky person. Seriously.

    Well done.

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  5. This is so edgy, disturbed. An excellent write.

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  6. this is brilliant. I LOVE the disturbed mind at work here. But, you know, I always appreciate a writer who writes a Crazy. This is a Crazy. Crazy and romantic :)! HAH!!

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  7. Oh,my! And I thought I was nuts!I like what you did with this piece. I feel a bit saner after reading it.

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  8. This is a well done piece, kiddo. Love the ending, too.

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  9. After reading the above comments, well, I must be the crazy one. Because I lived every moment with that woman and her 'man' answering via recording machine.

    You put me right into that story from the beginning. And the final words are what define you as a writer. A fine writer. My opinion!

    With that I offer PEACE! (Thanks for dropping in!)

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  10. Oh, I loved this. Perfect ending :)

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  11. Patti....
    Very reflective of a tense Romance

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  12. I really, really like this! Kinda wished it went on longer, but then I do think the ending is dandy as is.

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