The phone rings.
I answer wearily, halfway through
A yawn that makes my head swim
“Hello?”
I mumble, stretching out the last syllable of the word
Like pulling on taffy
“Hello,” she murmurs almost indecipherably
I’m roughly unsure of who it is, but suddenly
I know.
There’s a long silence as
I try to come up with conversation.
We’re so awkward now, so unlike
The way we used to be. The old rapport
Has disappeared between us
And all that is left has been said,
The exchange of a greeting is all
We can handle now. The silence continues until
Without warning she begins to cry
And as I ask “what’s wrong?”
My voice sounds tentative
I pray she doesn’t notice.
In the background of her muffled sobs
I hear the slight strains of music
Beethoven, I know, recognizing the notes.
…unfinished…
Amelia J. Allard ~ 3.6.99