The Time Has Come

The Time Has Come
By Halli Gomez

Margaret mindlessly made her breakfast of toast and coffee as she did every morning, and walked to the table in no particular hurry.  She stared in to the distance as she ate, chewing each bite without tasting the warm, melted butter, sweet apricot jam, or the bitterness of the coffee.

She finished her breakfast and returned to the kitchen to wash and dry the plates.  This is a habit she started when her husband, Jim, was alive.  He hated the clutter of dishes, and even twelve years after his death, she still cleans as usual.

With the dishes put away, Margaret continued her routine and headed toward the den, shuffling as she walked, barely picking up her feet.  Her heels were rough from being dragged on the worn wood floor, but even when the skin got caught on her stockings or bled, she paid no attention. 

Sitting in her regular chair planning to watch her shows and nap as she did on most days, Margaret grabbed what she thought was the remote control.  As she picked it up, she realized it was a cellular phone.  Knowing it wasn’t hers, she wondered who could have left it there, and as if in response to her question, the phone rang.  She was so startled by the noise that she dropped it on the floor and leaped out of her chair.  It wasn’t just the phone ringing, but the tone was unusual. It was a deep and eerie tone.  Wrapping her arms around herself, she felt the little bumps rise on her arms and a slight tingling down the middle of her back.

“How long has it been here? I would remember that ring.” she thought, and shuddered feeling cold.

The phone continued to ring.  She turned to look out the back windows, then towards the kitchen, and out the front windows, sure that someone was watching her.  After five rings the tone stopped.  Margaret crept back to the den and turned on the television.

The phone rang again.  “What’s the problem?” Margaret said to herself. “It is just a cell phone and it’s not even mine.  Maybe one of the children dropped it; although she could not remember the last time they had been over. 

Margaret decided she had to know who was calling.  She picked up the phone and said
“H-h-hello?”

“Margaret?” the caller asked.  “Margaret I have something to tell you.”

It was not what she expected.  The voice wasn’t scary or sinister, but did sound familiar. Like her husband but of course that wasn’t possible because he’s been dead for twelve years.

“Margaret, are you there?  It’s Jim.  I have something to tell you.”

“Who is this?” she screamed into the phone. “Is this a joke?  I’m going to call the police!”

Margaret slammed the phone down and began shaking. 

The cell phone rang again and Margaret could only stare at it.  She wanted to run away from the music but something unexplainable was preventing her. She listened to the ringing and tried to think of a reasonable explanation. Dead people don’t call on the phone. Or do they?  Deep down Margaret knew what she had to do so she reached for the phone.

“Hello?” she said.

“Margaret, it’s Jim.  Please don’t hang up, I have something to tell you,” he pleaded.

“Who is this?” she said.

“Honey, it’s me.  I know this is strange, but I have something to tell you.”

“How can this be?”

“I can’t explain, but you will understand soon.”

“I’m ready.”

“Yes you are ready.  It’s time.”  He said.

“You’re right, Jim, it’s time. I love you.”

“I love you too Margaret.”

Margaret was still for several minutes trying to understand what just happened.  Again she said to herself that dead people don’t call on the phone.  I must have fallen asleep and I’m dreaming.  Deep inside, however, she knew that was her husband and would do what he asked.  Quickly she grabbed her coat and walked outside.

Staring into the distance, eyes focused, she picked up her feet and walked two blocks to the park her and Jim used to go to.  She had not visited the park much since he died.  She sat on a bench and was suddenly aware of the callouses on her feet and the aching in her heart.  But just as quickly as the pain came it was gone as the warm arms of her husband lifted her spirit away.