The Phone Call

"Don't give me that crap. I recognize your voice, David. You hurt me, worse than any man I've ever known. I've written it all down and it's right here beside me. They'll find it when they find my body and then the world will know what a monster you are. Everyone will know, David!"

"What do you mean when they find your body?" Edgar forgot his own irritation now and was listening to her.

"I'm going to kill myself. Tonight. Maybe even while I have you on the phone so you can listen."

Edgar's mind was racing.

"Listen, lady, you don't want to do that. Whatever this guy David did to you, don't give him the satisfaction of giving up." Edgar glanced at the handgun lying on the table beside him. "Talk to me. Tell me about it."

Edgar heard her take a couple of ragged breaths. She seemed to be thinking for the first time since he'd picked up the phone.

"Oh my God. You're not David, are you?" She seemed incredulous.

"No. I told you I wasn't. My name is Edgar. Talk to me."

She hesitated then began a story of meeting David at a meeting before the pandemic lockdown. They'd hit it off and started dating. It became sexual. Then David lost his job and she was lending him money to cover his rent and necessities. She was so in love with the guy that she didn't complain about that.

Then she learned that David was seeing other women. She was crushed and when she confronted him he was cold and heartless. He said she was inadequate for him and his needs and even laughed at her when she cried. He walked out on her. She'd tried calling him several times to talk it over with him but he wouldn't answer her calls. She became depressed and now was going to kill herself and leave a damning suicide note to tell everyone about David.

"What is your name?" Edgar asked.

"Susan."

"Look, Susan, I'm not a professional, so I don't know the right things to tell you right now. This David sounds like a creep, and you are better off done with him. But don't hurt yourself; don't give him that much power over you. There are people you can talk to who can help you with this." He hesitated. "And you can talk to me too. But don't hurt yourself over this jerk."

"I can talk to you?" She sounded hesitant and unsure. "You don't mind? I mean you don't even know me."

"Only good people put themselves out the way you did. I think you're one of the good people, and I'd like to know you better. So, yes, you can talk to me." Edgar looked at his watch. "Will you call me tomorrow?"

A few moments silence followed.

"Alright. I'll call you around noon."

"That's great, Susan. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Edgar?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Thank YOU, Susan. You've helped me too."