Long Distance

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My first thought when the phone rang at 11:30 pm was that something must be wrong.

 

            “Hello?”  I said.

            “Hello,” a voice answered but it was my voice in the receiver.  “It’s me.”

            “Huh?”

            “It’s you too,” said the voice, slightly higher, but mine.  Record yourself and play it back and you’ll see what I mean.  It always sounds higher than what you’re used to hearing in your own head but you recognize it just the same.

            “Who is this?”

            “I’m you,” said the voice.  “Older but the same guy.  There’s still a chance, I think.  You’re about 24.  Still time to change things.  I found the old phone number written in the cover of one of our old books.  It’s not supposed to exist.  They changed the area code ten years ago but I dialed and it rang and you answered so it must be real.  I’m calling from a cell phone and you don’t even know what that is.”

            “What are you talking about?”

            “I’m talking about the here and now for both of us, my now and yours, but you have to believe me.  Don’t ask me how I know.  I just do.  There isn’t much time.  This is our only chance.”