Sorry I Missed Your Call by Teffie Palacio

Published in Issue 1 | May 2017

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You didn’t call me like you said you would

and there’s only so many missed calls I can leave

before it’s too much— 

my limit is two.

It’s your thing with phones, I get it…

something about hearing a voice in your ear feels— 

unnatural, fine.

But it’s soothing; isn’t my voice soothing?

Your phone is on 

Do not disturb mode

I can tell because I texted you a long explanation for a joke I made about Annie and the Chrysler building. It took me five minutes to type out— 

But it’s taken you 57 minutes to respond.

I know you haven’t seen Annie, but my joke was funny, right?

I’m calling you again.

I always hang up on the third ring because nothing feels lonelier than getting to voicemail

Please pick up, I’m walking alone in Central Park 

it’s 9:45 at night and someone wants their fucking dog walked

one ring, two ring, red fish blue fish

…you’re not gonna pick up

and I better not get a text 36 minutes later saying 

‘sorry I missed your call :(’