Cell Phone

There never seems a right way to start a conversation. Whether it is by texting, on the phone, or in person, the beginning is always the hardest. Once started the conversation flows perfectly but at the beginning, nothing.

“Hey, how’s it going?” Delete.

“Haven’t heard from you in a while.” Delete

“Anything new and exciting happening in your life?” Delete.

Throwing my phone on to the grey couch, I stormed away. I entered my room, and I leaned against my elevated bed. Throwing my head back, the ceiling, stark white with stucco creating odd patterns, caught my attention. My eyes traced one pattern to the next. The swooping and swirling lines gave the illusion of images. A cloud here, a lightning bolt there, and at one point what appears to be an elephant’s head. Standing up straight, I noticed the disarray in my bedroom. Shoes are thrown haphazardly in the closet, and my roommate’s clothes litter half the floor. The desk is covered in plates with half eaten pizza and fruit. My shoulders slump as I begin picking up what little I can while kicking at my roommate’s junk, trying to make the bulking mess go back to my roommate’s side of the room.

That done, I trudged back through the living room to reach the kitchen. Sparing a glance to my phone, I appraised the mess of a kitchen. I opened the dishwasher to place the plates from my room inside. My grip tightened on the door when the insides revealed a full, yet still dirty, load.

I placed the dirty plates from my room in the sink already piled high with pots and pans. Squatting down, I searched beneath the sink for dishwasher soap. I pushed aside plastic bags, sponges, and other various cleaning supplies but I could not find what I was looking for.

Giving up, I balanced on the balls of my feet before pushing myself upward. My hands on my knees, I paused on my way up. Legs straight but back still bent I took a deep breath before standing completely. Turning, I headed to Susan’s room.

I knocked quietly before pushing the door open. “Susan, do we have any more dishwasher soap?” Stepping part way into the room, I noticed the lump under the covers of one bed. The lump shifted, and Susan’s head appears from beneath the covers.

“What?” Susan’s hand came up to shade her eyes as her nose scrunches up.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you; I was trying to start the dishwasher, but I can’t find the right soap,” I said.

“It’s fine. I wasn’t really sleeping, just resting my eyes. Brianna used the last bit a few days ago. I keep meaning to go to the store to get more. I can go later today,” she said.

“No that’s ok, I’ll just go right now. I needed to get some things anyway. Sorry for interrupting you. Have a good nap,” I said as I backed into the hallway.

Returning once more to my room, I grabbed my keys, wallet, and shoes. Moving into the living room, I sat on the couch next to my phone I had cast aside only a few minutes before. My eyes darted back and forth between my shoes and phone as I tied the laces on each shoe. Finally, I grabbed the phone and checked it real fast. No new messages. Thrusting the phone into my pocket, I grabbed my jacket from the front closet and briskly walked to my car.

The drive was uneventful, but I glared when I saw a large number of cars in the parking lot. Instead of circling the lot trying to find a closer spot, I drove to the back and parked. Before leaving my car, I glanced at my phone. No new messages.

There were fewer people inside than expected. Moving from aisle to aisle, I picked up a few extra items on my path to the dishwasher soap. Chips from aisle five, milk from the back aisle, pasta from aisle seven all make it into my basket. Finally, I made my way to aisle ten where the cleaning supplies reside. Grabbing the cheapest soap, I headed for the checkout stand. Eight beeps later I pulled my credit card from its usual place, swiped it on the pad, and grabbed the receipt. Then I rechecked my phone. No new messages.

Upon reaching my car, I fumbled for the keys inside my front pocket. In a few short moments, I had the car open, groceries inside, and was behind the wheel. I pulled my phone out and checked it one more time before heading home. No new messages.

Entering the apartment parking lot, I grumbled out loud as someone had stolen my parking spot. Resigned, I parked a few places back. Pausing before I get out, I checked my phone. No new messages.

Grabbing the bags from the back seat, I clamored across the parking lot, up the stairs, and into my apartment. Placing the bags on the table, I began unloading the purchases. I grabbed the soap first so I could fill and start the dishwasher. I put the milk in the fridge, paused to try and fit the pasta in my already too full cupboard, and placed the chips on the counter, refusing to try and smash them into the cupboard.

Finally finished I sank onto the couch and pulled out my phone. Still no new messages. Squinting at the screen, I opened the messages app.

“Hey, how has work been?” Send.

*All names have been changed to protect the identities of those involved.*