A Line Home
New in school and friendless, Corey was drawn to the payphone in the foyer, to create the illusion he had something to do during the long, lonely lunch hour.
That’s how he saw the sticker.
LONG-DISTANCE DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE
1-AREA CODE-555-1212
He dialed, using his old area code. “Quel nom? What name?” The operator’s Quebecois accent transported Corey out of Sacramento, to the other side of the continent, back to where he wished to be.
Corey spoke his grandfather’s name. Hearing the familiar telephone number, he pictured his grandparents’ house so vividly he thought he was there. Next, Corey asked for his best friend John’s number. It was like visiting. He asked for the Perrette depanneur in his old neighbourhood. He could taste the barbecue corn chips, the grape Sip-Sac.
The school bell rang. Corey hung up. Exhaled. The homesickness returned. But the payphone would still be there the next day.
Montreal writer, producer, and host at Grimy Windows Showcase, crafting tales of injury, aliens, and self-indulgence in a novel.