Call Me

I would feel so much better if it had rained more and the backyard ground was softer. I want to bury a telephone and its annoying sidekick the answering machine. It is not that I don't like getting calls, although most of those come to my cell phone; it's just that I can't get the answering machine to take messages or even track the time of day. Today I am expecting An Important Call, so I needed some work from the nonperformer. So I dug out the answering machine manual and carefully followed instructions to record a charming yet efficient message. I even synchronized the time. To no avail. My test call went unwelcomed. The phone rang, but the answering machine with its curved grin of buttons remained silent. So I severed the pair. Now the phone won't ring and the answering machine is snickering. I'm left wondering why I didn't give my cell phone number to my Important Caller. After all, my cell phone works. And if it quits, it is much easier to bury.