Shrley felt herself jump as the phone rang. It must have been the sixth time in about an hour that he had called. It had been four days since the whole incident, and Shirley hadn't picked up the phone once. She must have had a good half hour's worth of Taylor spilling out his heart on there.
"Shirley?" His voice asked. "I know you're home. It's past seven. Look, will you at least listen to me?" He was silent for a few moments, and Shirley could tell that he was at a total loss for words, and his cheeks were pink from frustration.
"I'm sorry. Okay? I've said it a million times and I'll say it more. I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Shir, I had no idea that we were that serious about things. Up until a few days ago, I thought you had no intrest in me whatsoever. But I want you to. I know I have intrest in you. You fascinate me." He was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry." He said, his voice just above a whisper.
Shirley set down the knife she was using to chop the lettuce for her salad and covered her mouth with her hands. Why can't I just walk over there and pick up the phone? Why did he have to do that? Why do I even want to pick up the phone? Is he crying? Why can't I just pick up the damn phone and talk to him?!?!
She walked over closer to the phone as Taylor continued.
"Please...just...let me talk to you...I'm sorry...I....I...don't know what else to say." Shirley reached over to pick up the phone, but she was too late. She heard the click of him hanging up the phone. And she knew that she could never muster up the courage to call him back.