Telephonophobia
(fear of the phone)
It rang. I looked at it like it had done something wrong.
Caller ID said a name I know. Still didn't pick up. Stood there counting the rings and telling myself they'd leave a message. They left a message. I did not listen to the message.
Ain't the talking. It's the part where you have to answer right now, with no time to get your face on straight. Text I can sit with. A ring is a man standing in the room waiting.
If it lights up, I am already walking outside. Y'all call each other. I'll be on the porch, pretending the signal don't reach the truck.
PHOBIA FILES - EP. 22: TELEPHONOPHOBIA
Fear of phone calls. It comes from the Greek "tele" for far off and "phone" for voice. Basically a voice from far away I don't want to hear.
My phone is ringing. Not a text. An actual call.
Who does that anymore? Is somebody dead? Did I do something?
We used to sit on the kitchen phone for hours with a cord stretched across the house. Now an incoming call feels like a home invasion.
I'm going to let it ring out and text them "what's up?"
When's the last time you actually called somebody instead of texting?