The call came in the wee hours of the morning. It always did. It was almost a ritual… An alcohol fueled confession followed by months of complete silence.
He often wondered if the calls were even remembered in the morning. There was a time when he would desperately try to call back but no one ever answered. He was ghosted every time.
“Hello?” he never considered not answering. He had loved the caller his whole life.
“Jim?” The voice cracked, “Are you there? I need you.”
“I know. I’m here.”
“I’m still into you. It hasn’t changed… I just… I never told you I was in love with you. I never let myself. I was too afraid.”
“No, Darling. You told me. You’ve told me so many times.”
“I went out tonight… With a girl… It just never feels right, though. I want it to feel right, Jim. Why can’t I just be normal?”
“You are normal.”
“I just keep thinking of you… What we had… What we did… I should have told you I loved you.”
“Let me come get you…” this never worked but he always tried. As usual, the only answer was ragged, drunken breathing, “Brent… Are you still there?”
“Yes,” it was barely a whisper.
“Let me come get you.”
“I… But… Oh God! Jim, why, why, why?”
“Why be ashamed? The world is changing. Let me come get you. It will be ok. We can be together. It’s not even illegal anymore.”
“But… My dad. The church… I don’t want to go to hell,” his voice had trailed to less than a whisper.
“Your dad is wrong. His sermons are full of hate. You used to know that. You can choose your own beliefs, your own life. Let me come get you. Tell me where you are. You can trust me. I love you. I’ve always loved you.” He held his breath. The conversation had never gone this far.
“The girl. The one I went out with. We’re supposed to get married next week. I don’t love her.”
“I’ll come pick you up. We can talk.”
“I can’t do… The things… I can’t… I can’t do them with you.”
“Ok. We’ll just talk. We’ll figure out what to do. I promise.”
“Ok.”
“Ok?”
“Come get me. I’m at the payphone below your apartment…”
Jim leapt out of bed and looked out the window. His heart skipped a beat. “Stay there. I’m coming to let you in…”
Natolie Webb 