contact;

[chesstotem]

"This is Ariadne, you know the drill."
TEXT | VOICE | VIDEO

Comments

Unknown Number

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

My voice just sounds lovelier every time I hear it. Take a long weekend trip to Santa Cruz, your cousin Jasmine has just gotten very ill. Play house with the uni students and I'll come find you. I'd prefer if you'd find the whale skeleton on your own by say, one PM, but I can find you otherwise. We need to play wallet tag, bring a pair of gloves that fit you nicely.

Ciao.

Blocked ID

[notforthemoney.livejournal.com]

Ariadne, I recommend you get a new message. This one sounds like a reject from Coronation Street. [Brief chuckle.] You can tell him I said that, if you like. When you have a minute, call me.

[Click.]

[chesstotem]

[It's only a couple of hours before she returns his call, because whatever Arthur wants to talk to her about, she knows she'll want to hear it.

She just hopes he picks up.]

[notforthemoney.livejournal.com]

[It rings three times, then...]

Hello. You've reached my voice mail. If you've got this number, I probably know you. You know what you have to do.

[Beep.]

[chesstotem]

Damn. Uh, sorry I missed you earlier, I was in a meeting. Call me back.

[notforthemoney.livejournal.com]

[Two hours later, he does, wondering if she'll be able to answer.]

[chesstotem]

[She actually picks up this time, though she sounds distracted, and like she didn't even check the number before answering.] Hello?

[notforthemoney.livejournal.com]

[He tries not to sound concerned.] Ariadne. Got your message. Thanks for getting back to me.

[chesstotem]

Arthur, yeah, no problem. I was hoping we wouldn't spend days playing phone tag. Ugh... I can't find my exacto knife.

Anyway, what's up?

[notforthemoney.livejournal.com]

Telephone tag happens. It's in the second drawer down on the right.

Just thought I'd see how you were doing.

[chesstotem]

It's... [There's a rustle, and then a sound of triumph. Clearly, she's found the offending implement.] I'm not even going to ask how you knew that.

Anyway, I'm, uh. Fine. Doing fine. Busy, with the new job. Of course, I don't get to pick any of my projects, so I'm stuck working on apartment complexes and hospital renovations... You really just called to ask how I'm doing?

[notforthemoney.livejournal.com]

Just as well if you don't ask, no. [There's traffic in the background. Someone sounds a horn and yells at someone else in a language that might be recognizable as Italian.] I haven't been in touch lately and thought it was about time. [The yelling continues. Arthur sighs and it gradually becomes distant. He's walked to another part of the street.]

[chesstotem]

That's nice. [She keeps her voice neutral; no point telling him she misses him, misses the dreams, was hoping he'd have some kind of job offer...] I hope you're keeping busy? Where are you? Sounds like Roman carnival.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Ariadne. It’s Arthur, though I’m sure you already knew that. I just wanted to let you know I’m coming home tomorrow night. Call me back. I love you. Bye.

[chesstotem]

[Less than half an hour later, she's calling him.]

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

[He picks up his phone after the second ring.] Hello.

[chesstotem]

Arthur! Hey. I got your message. Did something happen? I wasn't expecting you back for a few more days, at least.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

I got the car shipped this afternoon. My mother was actually civil this time, but that was probably because I threatened to bring in the lawyers.

[chesstotem]

Oh, I see. Well, I'm glad you were able to do it without actually calling the lawyers. And I'm glad you're coming home. I bought a few things, yesterday and today. They'll be delivered to the new place the week we move in.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Great. [He smiles into the phone.] I’m going to have brunch at your parents’ house tomorrow.

[chesstotem]

Oh, that's awesome. I'm actually having dinner at Cobb's tonight.

I'm so glad you're coming home. [She laughs a little.] I just said that, didn't I?

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Yes, you did, but I don’t mind hearing it twice. And tell Dom and the kids I say hi.

[chesstotem]

You know I will. And give my love to Mom and Grant and Andrew.

Did your mother say anything else, or was she just... okay?

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

She didn’t say much, just opened the garage door so that they could take the car away. That was it.

[chesstotem]

Okay.

I guess it was too much to hope that she might... apologize.