If I Fell

~9~

The phone rings and rings and rings.

It rings so much I leave it off the hook.

I eat a packet of chocolate Oliver's- yep a whole packet.

Deciding, after my pig out, to place the phone back on the hook. It immediately rings again.

I pick it up I can't stand either the ring or the thought of leaving it off the hook.

Me: Mister James residence. He isn't in right now may I take a message.
                                                              Bill: Abby Abby what the hell girl! Why did you hang up the phone and then leave it off the hook? Abby, are you ok luv?

Me: Mister Jim's not here please call back.

Bill: ABBY don't you dare hang up!!

Me:

Me:

                                                              Bill: Come on luv it's Bill just talk to me, you can't have me worried can you now?

Me: Bill, does it? 

                                                                      Bill: Does it what? OH that what you said.... Who hurt you luv?

Me: I don't know (my voice must be a whisper now, how can he hear me)

                                                                  Bill: You need to speak up doll. He only did that, that what you said.

Me: (nodding)..and took my purse and touched me everywhere. I ran, I screamed, I kicked, it was all for no good. I ran home and locked the door when he finished. My dress is rags.

Bill: I'll buy you a new dress ok.

Me: ok. I'm so tired, Bill

Bill: Do you think you could call and tell the police?

Me: No, I can't be doing that, tis bad enough I opened my trap to you, how would it be that I tell the policeman something so, so, ... When does Mister Ramone come home, I need to leave here as soon as possible and go to me ma's. I'll be right. I'll ring off now sorry to trouble you. Goodbye.

Click.

Click and he was gone, Bill a lifeline on the other side of the world. 

I was alone in the silence again.

I stood and walked to the television in the silent room turning it on for some company. All I found was the BBC test pattern, it was better than nought I suppose.

The telephone rang twice before I reached it. I had fallen asleep on the couch, static and hiss the only thing on the telly now.

Me: Yes what do you want Ramone or Bill

Ramone: Both luv (ello luv)

Me: What do you want, I was asleep

Ramone: You're to take the mini tomorrow

Me: No it's too nice and it's brand new
                                                                    Ramone: I insist Abigail, you're to use it from now on I should have said it earlier.

Me: I'll be fine on the bus

Ramone: NO (NO!!)

I can't do this. I need to change the subject I cant be thinking of what happened tonight, my body aches, I don't need my head to ache too.

Me: Are you at Miami now

Ramone: Yes, but what does that- ouch Bill! Here you talk to her. 

  Bill: Hello again, Bill here. Yes we are in sunny sandy Miami luv

Me: Sounds like paradise in books I read- all sand- no rocks?!?

Bill: No rocks at all, just golden dunes and sparkling water, sunbaking and swimming. I can bring you some day, if you let me.

Me: You're forgetting I don't even know you, Bill

Bill: Let's get to know each other then, shall we. Hi, I'm ummm, ummmm-

Me: Bill silly. Hi I'm Abigail

Bill: Abby sounds nicer, sweetier but which do you prefer?

Me: Abby most definitely. Hello Bill, I work for Jim and he has two sons I have never met. It's been over a year and I haven't laid eyes on the pair of them. I make dinner for them every time they come but I leave prior and go to me ma's when they visit.

Bill: Why do you leave?

Me: Jim tells me to, doesn't want me to have the bother. But I don't think Mister Ramone want's the bother of me around actually. Don't tell him I said that though.

Bill: I think Ramone thinks you will think him a prat as I do him luv! Don't worry 'bout him. Hey, you were going to tell me about you.

Me: I have dark hair and dark brown eyes, ma thinks they're almost black, but there are just flecks of black. I'm twenty Bill

Bill: You sound very pretty

Me: Stop flirting, you can't see the rolls of lard and multiple chins at the moment, can you.

Bill: I quite like rolls and chins

Me: You're very silly. So you sell knives...

Bill: yeah, we sell stuff, big conventions, lots of people we have to sin- talk to.

Me: Well you all must be very good to have to go to America and all those different cities too.

Bill: Don't be angry at me when we meet proper like, when I get back. Promise me Abby.

Me: Why would I be angry, you just talked me out of my darkness and brought me some light. It's almost morning, I can follow the sun now.

Bill: Just promise Abby.

Me: Promise. I promise Bill.

Bill: Well I'll leave you to the sun and I'll get some kip. Take the mini if you go out, promise me that too.

Me: I promise, thank Mister Ramone for me..... Bill

Bill: Hmmmm?

Me: Thank-you for talking to me. Goodnight.

Click.