Bad Connection
The phones all began to ring at the same time. His cell phone first, soon followed by his desk phone, and then the softphone installed on his laptop. An eruption of chirps and buzzes shattered the stillness of the morning.
He lifted the receiver on the large desk phone and said, "Hello? Who is this?"
Silence.
"Stop bothering me. I will block your number. Leave me alone," he said and slammed the connection closed.
He stood and walked to the kitchen. Fresh coffee and some distance from the odd calls of the morning would help. As the warm black coffee spilled into his tumbler, a vibration shook his thigh. His keys rattled. And his nerves tightened. The caller was relentless. Why won't they leave him in peace?
He walked to the back door of the office and pressed the emergency handle to open the fire door. He stepped out into the cool morning light and lit a cigarette. He sat on the picnic table and waited. Certain the phone would ring again. When he reached the end of his smoke, without interruption, he stood satisfied and went back inside.
He'd have to remember to start signing up for offers using someone else's number.
THE END