Image: Mala Lesbia
The phone sits silent
As if it cares little how we feel.
He was supposed to be here
Within the hour,
Then two,
Now three.
No news tonight is not good news.
He was always reliable
Never late for anything
The most punctual and anal
About being on time.
He departed headed towards home
Sent a text at the halfway mark
Said all was going well.
Then nothing.
His phone is not responding
We are worried
Anxiety is building.
We are too concerned to say anything.
Earlier there were light-hearted jibes
The old jokes about his adherence to time
That he was forever texting.
The silence is killing us
Mum is looking more and more frantic
Dad sits staring ahead
The news reports a major accident on the freeway
The one he is on.
His girlfriend has arrived
She cries on mum’s shoulder
Wants to know, wants to know now!
Four hours and nothing.
I have this sense of dread
The phone will ring
It wont be what we want to hear
What do we do then?
Five hours my mobile rings
It’s him
No coverage, he was first at the scene
He’s been helping
He sounds exhausted
He sounds like a voice from heaven.
All around there are looks of relief.
His girlfriend cries more
Now with relief.
Dad finally breaks his stoic stand,
Wipes his eyes
Says anyone for a beer?
Mum sits with the girlfriend
And me?
I’m grateful
His voice shattered the silence.
Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/photo-challenge-81-october-6-2015/
Morpethroad 
Great tension builder Michael. Glad all went well in the end, but oh how we can worry.
We certainly can…..thanks for stopping by…
You are welcome 😊
Love that Michael 🙂
Thanks so much Juls. Have a great day.
WOW, Michael–you’ve outdone yourself. I was holding my breath, now so relieved too…
Thank you J, glad I could draw you in.
Definitely.
the stacatto phrases are just perfect for this tension builder – thanks for the happy ending -phew!
Very dramatically played out Michael – excellent use of narrator’s voice – has one clinging to the end 🙂
Thank you so much Pat, loved your comment, insightful as always….