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Sunday, February 5, 2012

Don't Answer it!




She looks at the caller ID readout, hesitant to answer, for one never knows what waits on the other end of a ringing telephone, particularly a call from a blocked number. Her stomach becomes involved in the decision of whether to answer, lurching with each ring, reaching up through her throat for the cell phone. Her mind joins in, curious and sharp. “It could be something important,” she whispers, unaware that she had whispered at all, and that her entire being was conspiring against her.

Magical thinking has sometimes resulted in disaster for her, yet at other times proven to be a fruitful path. “Perhaps it’s an agent wanting my manuscript, or a serendipitous call offering me employment in some thrilling location.”

Her hope rises, teasing her anemic life, inspiring it to beg for a morsel of something delicious, releasing all of the impatience and discouragement that she’d, up till this point, managed to keep under control, and ushering them to the foot tapping forefront.

Her pulse beats out an exciting tempo. Like a disoriented fly banging itself against a closed window, she’s become ensnared between the endless horizon and the suffocating banality of the uneventful.



She answers. “Hello.” Waiting for a clue, perhaps a familiar voice. But what ensues is a long pause initiating the recorded message of a telemarketer, plunging a dagger into the heart of her fragile fantasy.

She disconnects, staring at the small rectangular device, a device capable of crawling inside her head, and drawing a crowd. Tossing it onto the bed she grins at her own foolishness, and says, “Okay, move along. There’s nothing to see here.”

41 comments:

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Oh, just gotta love your analogy of the "disoriented fly" - perfect, stay-in-the-head image!
Like the character here, you had my hopes up the entire time - until, of course, the telemarketer arrives on the scene. Still, glad our heroine can laugh at herself in the end and be willing to move on. Such a positive note!
Well done, my friend!
Blessings!

Leah Griffith said...

Martha, It's a close up of one of "those" moments that we bump into on any ordinary day. LOL!!

MrGoodkat34 said...

You should write poems, I'd read! :)

JANU said...

Was wondering what this was all about...didn't realize I was holding my breath...fun.

Manisha Bhatia said...

Lol..that ws quite mysterious n intriguin..:P

Love
Mani

Rimly said...

Loved the suspense of it. I get that feeling too when I get a call from an unknown number. To answer or not, hope rising and falling.

Leah Griffith said...

MrGood, I've written a few; they are scattered throughout this blog. I have to be in a certain frame of mind to pen a poem. Thanks for reading!

Leah Griffith said...

I'm glad that you enjoyed it Janu. It was supposed to be fun;)

Leah Griffith said...

Hi Mani,
Thanks for stopping by. It's always good to see you.
XO

Leah Griffith said...

Rimly, I believe each one of us has our triggers. For some it's the mail. They get all excited waiting for the mailman, hoping that he has something wonderful in his bag for them. LOL!! We all want life to deliver the goodies to us;)

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

Great piece, Leah. You built up suspense beautifully, all the time cloaking it with gorgeous prose. Especially loved "Her hope rises, teasing her anemic life..." Awesome!

Leah Griffith said...

Thanks Karen. It was fun to write. I'm still thinking about a flash for you blog. I know... don't think just do! LOL!!

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

No pressure, Leah. Just whenever you can. I am booking anywhere from March on. :)

Leah Griffith said...

Wonderful Karen! I look forward to contributing. ;)

Alfandi said...

deliciously written..beautiful built up of suspense..you can replace Peter Straub / Stephen King for this new era..

Debbie Maxwell Allen said...

I can't stand unknown numbers! I don't know what I did before caller ID.

~Debbie

Ron said...

Well Done Leah! I love the building mystery and suspense. It is classic and its style, metaphor and simplicity, and I love that new technology has found its way into prose ;)

Loved it!
Ron

Jayne said...

Ha! I've been that fly! I've learned, if it's blocked, it's not for me... but then... you do wonder. But then... if it's important, they'll leave a message. Buth then... you don't want to miss it. And then.... aaaaahhhhh!!!

Btw: her life is anything but anemic. ;)

Leah Griffith said...

Jayne, last night I received a blocked call and it cracked me up. All the emotions on making that decision. I answered and it turned out to be my best friend. She put the block on her number so her patients couldn't call her cell. Ironic.
Um, anemic, nah, she's probably just an adrenaline junky ;)

Leah Griffith said...

Alfandi, you make me blush;)

Leah Griffith said...

Debbie, we answered the phone with a fake voice... just in case;)

Leah Griffith said...

Ron, thank you! I really did have a blast writing it.

Kavita Saharia said...

Happens to me all the time as I have no option but to pick up the phone thinking that it could be of a patient .
Leah ,I am awestruck by your writing style .

Leah Griffith said...

I know Kavita. When I had my agency I had to answer all my calls too. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Luchi Smiles said...

When I get such calls from a telemarketer, I say, "hello?" and hang up! Enjoyed your post :)

Unknown said...

FABuloua post, Leah! Wonderful imagery. Just great!

The Poet said...

My dear Leah,
You had me on tenterhooks from the beginning...I was expecting some tantalizing, romantic ending...instead we get the evil telemarketer! Brilliant! LOL

Having been sucked in by telemarketers before, I no longer answer numbers I don't recognize or blocked/private/unknown numbers. My answer machine stays on 24/7. Sometimes, I'll intercept the call if it's from someone I know. Other than that, I maintain if it's important, the caller will leave a message.

Enjoyed this post.
Thanks for sharing.

P.S.
If you feel like writing for Romantic Friday Writers challenge this week, the theme is "The Long, Cool Aphrodisiac". It's open to everyone. More information/submission guidelines here...
Denise, our host, will put the Linky up sometime Thursday.

photos by jan said...

Wonderful post, loved the music too! I hate those calls. I have a choice not to answer and I don't, but sometimes it is so difficult not to.

Savira Gupta said...

I held my breath till the very end.. Your words always capture me and then with an exhale I release and then smile at your ability to bring humor and mystery together.

Marie Loerzel said...

Funny, the only time our phone works here it's from a telemarker from the states!

Leah Griffith said...

Luchi, once I know it's a telemarketer I hang up immediately. I used to let them speak. I've since learned that allowing them to speak is a BIG mistake! LOL!!

Leah Griffith said...

JP, thanks so much! I had a blast writing it. I hope you're doing well!

Leah Griffith said...

Oh Andy, my love struck poet, I'm so sorry for leading you on. I promise to write something romanic very soon. Valentines day is coming and I'm sharpening my pencil into Cupid's arrow;)

Leah Griffith said...

Jan, the blocked ones are the worst because I have a few friends who block their numbers, so I never know if it's them. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day Jan!

Leah Griffith said...

Savira, thank you for the lovely compliment. Life is full of mystery and comedy isn't it.
XO

Leah Griffith said...

Marie, man! They'll go any distance won't they. I know it's their job but they annoy me sooo much I'd like to crunch them like cockroaches. LOL!!!

Julia said...

Ugh...damn! I felt that let-down feeling right in my gut!

You are a brilliant writer, Leah, and a very un-anemic woman. :)

I have so enjoyed your presence on my blog, Leah, thanks so much for stopping by.

Sending you love today,

Julia

Leah Griffith said...

LOL! Julia! You're a lot like me my lady. Thank you for your sweet words. I always enjoy my visit to Painted Path because you are there;)
Big Hugs
XO

Shreya said...

;)

Melissa Tandoc said...

This is thrilling and you left me waiting for your responses Leah!

What a truly exciting post and it took my breath away...sighing towards the end of your story...geez!

Leah Griffith said...

Thank you Melissa! I've been experimenting with flash fiction lately. It's a great challenge... and fun!
xo

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