The Phone Call (LSWC)

1.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Is this Mr. Gary Hunter?"

"Uh, yeah."

"Hello Mr. Hunter. You're extended car warranty is about to expire. If you act now..."

"Look, I don't even own that car anymore. I haven't owned the car in three years. The car was totaled out in a wreck. I've told you to take me off your list three times now. I swear if you don't take me off, you'll be sorry."

Gary slammed the phone back down on it's receiver. He scratched his balding head. "Regrow your own hair," he thought. "What a joke. Only bigger lie is the male enhancement pills."

He arose from the desk and shuffled on slippered feet towards the kitchen. Halfway there he changed his mind. He returned to the desk and picked up the phone. He punched in one of the few phone numbers he knew by heart.

"Hello."

"Hey dad, it's Gary."

"Hey Gary, it's good to hear from you. How've you been?"

"Oh, tolerable. Not much to complain about. I know it's been awhile since I called, I've been kinda busy lately. How are you doing and how's mom?"

"Oh that's alright. Your mom and I are fine. Her arthritis has been acting up lately, but other than that, we've been real good. So what brings about the call Gary?"

"Oh nothin' really. Just thought I'd call and say hi. So, well, hi I guess. I don't really have much else. Oh, I'll be at your anniversary party tomorrow night."

"Well, it will be good to see you. Guess we'll see you then."

"Alright."

Gary set the handset back in it's cradle. He leaned his head down to rest on his hands. Conversations with his parents had become forced lately. Ever since he had been caught with that hooker. What were the chances that there would be an ATM security camera inside a closed convenience store across the street that pointed into the nearly empty parking lot he had chose that evening? To most people, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but as Deputy Chief of Police, this was a major blow to his career.

After ten minutes he got back up and went and made a bologna and cheese sandwich. He devoured it along with half a bag of Fiery Habenero Doritos and washed it all down with a large glass of sun tea. He set his plate in the sink and went to take a nap. As he walked down the hall, he let out a satisfying belch. Since being put on administrative leave last month, pending a full investigation, he had been napping more and more.


2.

Gary awoke to the phone ringing. He fumbled for the bedroom extension.

"Hello?"

"Gary, it's Dale."

Gary instantly became alert. Dale Smithton was the current Chief of Police and his supervisor. He would have the results of the investigations into his "regretable actions".

"Gary?"

"Yeah, I'm here Dale. You woke me up, sorry."

"Oh. Well, I'm afraid you're not going to be able to come back. The committee has decided that allowing you to return would not be the wisest decision."

Dale kept talking, but Gary had tuned him out. The cold knot in the bottom of his stomach had started to turn warm and rise slowly. Soon it was an overwhelming pressure rising in his throat.

"Dale. I gotta go, I'm gonna be sick."

No sooner than he hung up the phone, the pressure erupted and he vomited uncontrollably into his waste basket.

He took a tissue and wiped his mouth and nose. He glanced at his watch. "Six O'clock! The anniversary party is in an hour."

Gary slowly got up off the bed and shambled barefoot to the bathroom. As he moved, he was aware of the way the carpet fibers caressed each toe. Inside his head was a pulsating drone and it was much more comfortable to concentrate on external feeling. His feet hit the cold tile of the bathroom. After he had made it all the way across, he turned and surveyed the distance he had come. As the last drops of condensation from his footsteps evaporated, he realized that path had disappeared forever.



3.

He arrived at the party an hour late. He was immediately greeted by his father.

"Gary! We were getting worried. So glad you could make it."

"Yeah, I had a flat on the way over. I wouldn't miss it. Where's mom?"

"Last I saw her, she was talking to Aunt Ruth over by the cake table. You should go say hi."

"Alright, I will." Gary started to walk away.

"Hey Gary."

"Yeah dad?"

"You know I love you, right?"

"Yeah I know dad. I love you too."

Gary smiled and made polite conversation but behind every smile was a lie. He could see them whispering about him. The way conversation came to a stop when he approached. The cautious glances directed at him. After two hours, he was mentally and physically drained. He made his excuses and slipped out with the party still in full swing.


4.

When Gary returned home that night, he hung his jacket back up in the closet. He returned to his desk and made out checks for the bills that were piled there while he ate a piece of cake his mother had made him take with him. The phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Mr. Gary Hunter?"

"Yes."

"Mr. Hunter, I'm calling to remind you that your extended auto warranty is about to expire."

As Gary listened to the man, he eased open the desk drawer and reached behind the blank checks. He removed the box carefully and set it in front of him. He slowly opened it and removed the pistol his father had given him on his tenth anniversary on the force. He chambered a bullet and placed the barrel against his right temple.

"So, can I confirm your re-enrollment in our plan?"

"For the last time, I want to be removed from your calling list. Since you won't do it, I will."

With that said, he slowly squeezed the trigger.



[edit on 6/2/2008 by keymaster]

so who took care of the cat and what type of cakes where there???

Ah the twist was excellent. I was engrossed until the bitter/sweet end.

Interesting to say the least! I like it Good job and a star for you!

Starred! Excellet short story. Kind of saw that coming. A realistic/logical end.