Fifty Less Cents

I deposited my last fifty cents to call him.  When the phone started ringing, a smile crept across my face.  I haven't done that in a while, considering how I've been traveling a lot lately.  I've had so much stress; I've been trying to meet the deadlines for my stories.  I make too many promises; so it's partly my fault. He's the only thing that makes me want to keep going.  "Hello?" he said as he finally picked up, and I'm so glad he did. "Who's this?"

"Hi, it's me," I said; I was giggling like an idiot, but I couldn't care less at this point.  "You don't know how happy I am to hear your voice right now."  There was a pause, and it worried me.  "Please understand, I don't have much time to talk.  I'm on a payphone.  I only have three minutes."

"Oh, okay.  I guess I should say this now then," he said finally responding.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"It's over, okay?"  How could he possibly say that like it was a question?  Does he expect me to say yes?  I tried my hardest to keep from crying, but before I could respond, tears still managed to get escape from my eyes.

"Wh--what are you talking about?"  I said trying to keep my sobs silent.  "I still want you; I still love you...what brought this up all of a sudden?"

"Well, you're just always so pre-occupied.  Besides that, I found someone else.  They care for me.  They're there for me; so much more than you are."

"Please, don't do this to me.  Can we find a way to work this out?  You're all I wanted; you're all I want now.  I do care for you, and I do love you!" I said as I noticed my jacket was wet from constantly wiping my eyes with the sleeves.

"Why don't you just stop saying you love me and start showing it...?"

"I'm sorry! I'm just always so busy.  I have to go everywhere.  I'm sorry my parent's jobs take me away from you now and then.  I wish you could come with me, but we're only 15.  I would take you if I can, and I do love you.  Never say I don't; because I do, more than anything."

"I don't know what else to say... I just can't love you anymore.  You treat me like a pen-pal, rather than a lover.  I really am sorry; I hope that helps."  I felt like he was lying about being sorry.  "We can still be friends, you know?  And maybe, we can--" the phone just shut off right there.  I don't want to call him back; it hurts too much already.  I want to know what he wanted to say, but I want to calm myself down so I won't cry.  It's gotten too far for me already.

"Please deposit fifty more cents," the monotonous voice from the phone said.  It's just such a shame when all the parts fit, but the machine doesn't work...