Sorry, I Can't Come to the Phone Right Now

by Ana Hein

illustration by Sadie Hutchings

Hello! You’ve reached the Brighton residence. We can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, we’ll be sure to get back to you when we have a minute. Have a blessed day! BEEP.

“Hey, Mom. It’s Cassie. The plane got delayed so Audra and I are gonna be getting in a little late, but we’re still gonna make it on time. I’m not worried about it. I just wanted to let you know, just in case—but again, I’m not worried, so you shouldn’t be either. You’ve got enough to deal with right now. I hope you know you can always ask for help. I’m here for you. I love you. Audra says hi by the way. I know the timing is the worst thing in the world, but she’s excited to meet you. I—I hope you like her. She

means a lot to me. I want—I want all of us to be able to talk, you know? I would really like that. We’ll see you soon.”

Hello! You’ve reached the Brighton residence. We can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, we’ll be sure to get back to you when we have a minute. Have a blessed day! BEEP.

“Hi Mom. We just landed. Literally—I’m still sitting in my seat. We haven’t even gotten to the gate yet. I don’t know if I’m technically allowed to be on my phone right now, but I wanted to let you know we’re here. We should be getting off the plane in a few minutes and we’ll book it to the rental car place. I’ll call you again when we’re in the car. We’re gonna be cutting it close, but we’ll be there. I love you. Please take it easy. Be there soon.”

Hello! You’ve reached the Brighton residence. We can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, we’ll be sure to get back to you when we have a minute. Have a blessed day! BEEP.

“Mom? We’re in the car. You haven’t called me back. I know you’re probably running around the house cleaning everything that’s already spotless, but could you pick up? I know you’re listening to this as it’s getting recorded. I can wait. Mom? . . . Mom? . . . Please don’t be working yourself to the bone, okay? I’m—I’m worried about you. We’ll be there in half an hour. Audra got these beautiful lilies. Anyway, I love you. Bye.”

Hello! You’ve reached the Brighton residence. We can’t come to

the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, we’ll be sure to get back to you when we have a minute. Have a blessed day! BEEP.

“Mom, I’ve been knocking on the door for five minutes. Are you home? Could you open the door please? Did you leave already? At times like this, it would be really helpful if you could get a cell phone. Hello? Hello! Mom! Please open the door. Please let me in! Mom! Mom!”

Hello! You’ve reached the Brighton residence. We can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, we’ll be sure to get back to you when we have a minute. Have a blessed day! BEEP.

Hello! You’ve reached the Brighton residence. We can’t come to the phone right now, but if you leave your name and number, we’ll be sure to get back to you when we have a minute. Have a blessed day! BEEP.

“I can’t believe you haven’t changed the answering machine message. It’s been months. I—I used to call it sometimes, just to hear his voice, you know? I knew you wouldn’t pick up for me, so I’d get to hear it. Do you ever do that? Call the house just to hear him say ‘Have a blessed day?’ I miss him, all the time. I miss you, too, just as much. I mean, I’m still angry—so so so angry. I honestly don’t have the words. I wanted—I had a right to be at my own father’s funeral. I know you don’t approve of the way I live my life, but I thought you were finally going to let me back into yours. When you called me and said

you wanted me home for the service, after all these years, I was—I was upset about Dad, obviously, but I was also so glad that I was going to be able to see you again and hug you and tell you about my life, about Audra and how she makes me feel like I’m not broken. And we were there— we were there, Mom—and you just turned us away, without saying anything. You didn’t even tell me to go to my face. I haven’t forgiven you, but I do really want to talk to you. I don’t—I don’t want to leave things with you like I left them with Dad. Please call. Please. I love you.”

We’re sorry. You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service. If you feel you have reached this recording in error, please check the number and try your call again.