Call me.

Courtesy of http://shortstoryideas.herb.me.uk/images.htm

*Another writing exercise. This one is written tonight after I got home and I decided that I really liked what I did in the early hours this morning. So I'm hoping to write fresh, get lots of ideas and words down and to hell with how it looks like.*

She cradled the receiver near her lips. "I miss you." She blinked back tears.

His voice crackled slowly over the telephone wires strung up high above her in the  cloudy grey sky.

I know, sweetie. I know. But its going to be soon, ok? It won't be long now, love. You just hang on in there a lil bit longer, yeah?


She bit her lip to stop herself from crying. Toughen up, she told herself. Its not like he had been away for months or even years. Truth to tell, he only left 3 days ago. A business trip overseas, he told her. He would be back before she even noticed he was gone. He caressed her cheek as she wondered if he would go away and not come back. He had done it once. When they were once young and foolish, when love forevermore was promised, whispered into the velvet night sky filled with sparkling stars, he had gone away. To war, it was. He said it was his duty to serve his country. She felt her heart potentially break from the bad news she might receive.

"You won't just go and not come back, right?"

Of course not, my love.

"You'll still love me, right?"

Come here, you. 


And he did come back. But it took 4 long years. A letter every week filled her mailbox. He was doing okay. He had survived boot camp. He was going to war. He had been injured. A good friend died in his arms, wounded by shrapnel. But he came back. He came back and she had 208 letters wrapped up in a blue ribbon in her satchel as she awaited his arrival at the train station.

"So when are you coming back?" She draws a deep breath to calm herself down.

It's probably going to be another day or two. They're still in discussion and the business deal won't close without his signature. 

"But you'll miss our anniversary, honey..."

I know, I know, and I'm sorry. Look, I'll make it up to you as soon as I get back, okay? Oh, crap, honey. Gotta go, I'm not going to get a sig-


beep. beep. beep. beep.

.CLUNK.


The receiver rattled in its cradle as she quickly dried her tears on her handkerchief. The one year that they're finally together and he misses her anniversary. Oh well, its business, after all.

In her haste, she opens the door to the telephone booth and runs straight into a  black trench-coated man. He catches her in a firm grip as she slips and starts to apologize.

Now, now, lady. That's not good enough. 


"Larry! What are you...I mean, aren't you supposed to be..."

He holds up his cellphone as he wraps her in a warm embrace.

Its our anniversary, remember? I'm not going to skip it for a signature! They can sign the business deal without me, Ted's covering things over there. 


"Oh, Larry. You're such a sweetie."

And the two lovers, arm in arm, walk down the street just as the telephone in the booth rings.

A curious passerby walks past and picks it up. "Hello?"

Who's this? Where's Elaine? I was just speaking to her a minute ago...