Ring Ring Click

Shiny black plastic covered the inner mechanisms of the phone. The chrome hook appeared empty, the receiver being in my hand. A ringing was heard through the receiver as I twisted the reel and dialed each number. Sliding down the wall I plopped to the floor waiting for Jules to answer.

Her voice on the other end startled me as I was thinking about what I was going to tell her. “Hello.”

“Oh, hi Jules! Whatcha up to?”

“Nuthin much here going on. How bout you?”

“Not much really.”

“Hey,” I held the phone back at a distance as her harsh voice came through the receiver, “did you hear about what happened last night?”

“If you are talking about Susie, yeah.” Waiting for her to continue, I wondered how much she had heard.

“Can you believe it? I can’t. She seemed like such a nice girl.”

“I know, but I don’t think it was her fault. I heard that he came over unexpected.”

“I don’t know, but Amee said she was there. She said that when he got there, he told them all to leave. Can you imagine?”

Jules seemed to be judging Susie. I liked Susie and was ready to defend her. “That’s not what I heard. I heard that they all were drinking and the other girls called him and asked him to come over. And when he got there, they all left. Can you imagine how she felt? I woulda been scared to death being alone with a boy in a tent in my own back yard.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Jules did not seem convinced that Susie did not want to be alone with him. “Have you talked to her Dee?”

“No, but I want to. I was hoping you would be there when I do.”

“Oh.” Again, Jules did not seem enthused.

“How about I call her, and you pick up while we are talking. Just nonchalantly appear on the other end.”

“I guess that would be better than in person. I really don’t know how I would react in person.”

“Ok, I will call her, give me about five or so minutes privately with her, then you pick up.”

“Ok, sounds good.” A little bit of hesitation was in her voice. “Dee, what will you say?”

“To start with I’m just going to as her if she is ok.”

While rising to my feet, my anxiety peeked. The chrome hook glared at me as I pushed it down disconnecting the call. I placed my finger into the dial, once again dialing a seven-digit number. Ring, ring, the sound entered my ear as I waited for an answer. Click, “hello.” A soft voice answered.

“Hello, Susie?” The voice was so soft I hardly recognized it.

“Yes. Who is this?”

“Dee.” Sweetly I answered.

“Oh, hi Dee, what’s up?”

“Not much. Umm, I heard about what happened last night. Are you ok?” Sincerely I hoped she was ok.

The silence was eerie. What was I thinking? Obviously, I was not, and now Jules was going to interrupt.

Click. Ring…I hoped it was not obvious when the sound came. “Hello. Is someone there?” Hopefully, Susie did not catch on. “We are on the phone; can you please hang up.” Stupid party lines always had someone interrupting.

Jules answered abruptly. “I’m so sorry. Dee is that you?”

“Yes, Jules?”

“Yes. Hey, I’m sorry for the interruption. Who are you talking to?”

“Susie.”

“Oh, hi Susie. I heard what happened last night. Are you ok?”

“I’m fine. Jeesh did everyone hear? I will be the laughingstock of the school.” Her voice faded as she spoke.

Jule surprised me with what she said next. “Not if we make him the laughingstock first.”

Sounding enthused Susie asked, ”what did you have in mind?”                                                                                                                                       

“Well…”

Jules went on to tell her the plan that she concocted. I listened patiently, wanting to throw my two cents in. I never got the chance.

Susie seemed to perk up to the idea. Jules apologizing once more, hung up the phone.

“That was interesting.” I said innocently.

“Yes! I think I do want to do it Dee. What do you think? You never said much while she spoke of the plan.”

“I’m in if you are.”

Click, ring ring. “Oh, I’m sorry is someone on here?” The neighbor’s sweet voice came across the line.

“Hi, Mrs. Jones. It’s me Dee.”

“Oh, hi Dee. How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Her sweet voice was hard to resist.

“I’m sorry for interrupting. This crazy party line is annoying sometimes.” A soft giggle entered through the line.

“No problem Mrs. Jones. Give us about five minutes and we will be done.”

“Oh, no hurry. You girls finish your conversation. Good day to ya.”

“Thanks Mrs. Jones.”

Laughter ran through the lines. Susie sounded in better spirits.

“I’m glad my line isn’t a party line.” Laughing. “My Mom’s friends would probably listen in.”

My stomach rolled as I laughed along with her. “I wonder how they choose who gets a party line?”

“Maybe the gossipers!” laughing harder.

Guilt filled me. “Susie…”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry that I haven’t been a very good friend.”

“What are you talking about Dee? You are the best!”

Except she did not know about the whole planned conversation that Jules and I had, minutes before talking to her. She did not know how right she was about gossiping. Others could pick up while you were talking to someone. They could listen in and spread rumors about your conversation. I just hoped that Jules was not that kind of friend. I kept my mouth shut, afraid of what might come of me telling her.

“I try to be. Ya know, if I was there last night, I wouldn’t have left you alone with him.”

“I know Dee. That’s what I’m saying. You are a good friend.”

Click, the familiar sound of someone on the other end of the phone. I hoped that Susie didn’t catch it. “Are you ok now?” I asked sincerely as I secretly wanted to disconnect the call.

“Yes, thanks for this Dee.”

“You are welcome. Talk to ya later.”

“Ok, bye.” Click.

I lingered on the phone as I suspected Jules of being there. My suspicions were correct.

“How’d it go after I left?” She seemed sincere.

“Mrs. Jones picked up while we were talking. We tried to cut it short so that she could use the phone.”

“I see. I guess she will be back wanting to make a call.”

“Yeah.” I was ready for this conversation to be done. I knew soon enough the encounter at school would come. “Talk to ya later Jules.”

“Ok, see ya.” Click, as she hung up from her end.

Ring ring, click. I hung up knowing that Mrs. Jones was returning to make her call.