making calls.

Unfortunately, due to the six hour time difference, and the extended route that the bus took on week-end nights, the times that I generally chose to make calls to the folks back home were the times I was most intoxicated. 

Dum, de, dum, dum. I kick my legs up on the seat in front of me as the phone rings in the house of my best friend back home.

"Hello?" But wait! That's not Jen! It could only be....

"Mrs. Rogers?!" I squeal. What fun! "How ARE you?!"

There is a slight cough, and then the indulgent, "I'm just fine, Annie. How are you?"

"EXCELLENT!" I gush, then realize, too late, that I need to tone it down a notch.

"I see. It must be pretty late over in France right now."

"Oh, ummm..... it's just about 10. Thirty or so." Give or take a couple of hours, but I'm assuming she won't know the difference. People from my home town aren't exactly world travelers.

"Well, I hope you're being careful. Are you with anybody?"

Horrified, I realize I need to end this conversation like now.

"No, but I'm on the bus home. Really, I'm ok. I was just calling to say hello to Jen, tell her hello and everyone hello and I'll talk to you later, byyyye!"

I punch the end button fiercely and breathe a deep sigh of relief. I'll have to be more careful from now on.