I’m Glad You Called

Ring.

"I'm glad you called. Though I'm not sure how you did."

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not, if it's really you."

"What proof would you have beyond that of your own senses?"

"Are you really quoting A Christmas Carol?"

"You used to love that book when you were a kid."

"Ghosts aren't my favorite topic these days."

"And yet..."

"And yet."

"So, why do you suppose I've called?"

"I figured that was for you to tell me."

"You have no questions for me?"

"I have plenty, but how much time do we have?"

"Enough."

"Great."

"So, ask."

"Are you okay?"

"That's a kind question."

"Am I mean to be unkind to you?"

"I was to you."

"At times, yes."

"At times."

"Are you going to answer?"

"I am all right."

"What's something I don't know about you?"

"I never planned on having kids."

"Well, that's just great."

"Does that answer disappoint you?"

"I mean, we have...had? Is it have or had?"

"You have. I had."

"He's still here."

"Yes."

"And you have no questions about our son?"

"I didn't say that."

"You said you never planned on having kids."

"That is true."

"What is? That you said it or that you meant it?"

"Both. But neither means I regret having him."

"But he wasn't in your plan?"

"No. But, then again, neither were you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"My love, I now believe we were always destined, but that doesn't mean I always saw our destiny."

"When did you see it?"

"After."

"After what?"

"Are you sure you wish to know?"

"I asked."

"That you did."

"Are you going to answer."

"After I died."

"Are you serious?"

"As a heart attack."

"That's not funny."

"I thought it was, a bit. Gallows humor and all that."

"I guess who am I to tell a ghost what she can joke about."

"Indeed."

"So, you didn't think we were destined at any point when we were married?"

"I loved you with all that I had."

"That's not an answer."

"It is a kind of answer."

"Not a direct one."

"Ah yes, you have always been on the direct side."

"So, will you answer my questions directly now?"

"I shall try."

"Did you, at any point, think we were meant to be while you were alive?"

"No, my love."

"So then why did we get married? Why did we have Sam?"

"Because I loved you, and when he came along, Sam, more than I could have imagined."

"And that still didn't convince you that we were meant to be?"

"No."

"Just because I said you should answer directly, doesn't mean I meant you couldn't explain."

"True."

"Great."

"My love, I didn't believe in things like fate and destiny before the heart attack. It was only after that I realized such things were real. I thought you knew this about me."

"I thought I knew you too."

"And?"

"And, it looks like I didn't know everything, huh?"

"Nor I about you."

"Not even now?"

"I'm a ghost, my love, not a god."

"So there is a God now too?"

"There are many."

"Can't wait to call my mom and tell her."

"I'm glad you two are speaking again."

"She's been supportive since..."

"Yes."

"Maybe because she thinks I'll finally give men a chance."

"That's not the kindest way to see things."

"Has she earned the kindest of interpretations?"

"I suppose not, in your eyes."

"And in yours?"

"I would side with you til the end, my love."

"Have we not reached that point?"

"What point?"

"The end? You're gone. We vowed til death do us part and it has done that."

"I have died. My love for you, and Sam, has not."

"Mine hasn't either."

"I know."

"I thought you weren't a god?"

"I am not, but I have always known how much you loved me."

"Was it enough?"

"Your love?"

"Yes."

"Always."

"And Sam's?"

"Sam loves in abundance."

"That he does."

"So, yes, my love, his love has also been enough. You two are and have been always, more than enough."

"Will you call again?"

"I would like to."

"But you won't."

"That wasn't a question."

"No, it wasn't."

"You have to ask it."

"There are rules now to our conversation?"

"No, but I'd like to hear you ask."

"Will you call me again?"

"If I can, I vow to."

"Will you ever call Sam?"

"If, when he's older, he still has his heart open to such things, I will try."

"Is my heart open to such things?"

"It would appear so, my love."

"So, do I just have to keep it open for you?"

"You can, but I hope you do not have your heart so open to me forever."

"What does that mean?"

"Find another."

"No."

"My love..."

"I'm glad you called."

Click.

(Prompt from Writer's Digest)

Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash