Ghosted

Photography by Sonja R Berry

"Nature's beauty and perseverance are infinite."
Sonja Berry is enrolled in a UCLA writing certification program, aspiring to pursue a writing career upon completion of 26 years of military service.
@SonjaRBerry1 (Twitter)

No New Messages and Nine Saved Messages

Fiction by Joyce Bingham

CW: Mention of Death


    Beep.
    MESSAGE NINE.
    “Hi sweetheart, gonna be late home tonight, bloody car’s burst a tyre. I’m on the hard shoulder and the rain is thundering down. Oh my God, that lorry it’s not stopping--”
    Beep.
    MESSAGE EIGHT.
    “Hi, sorry I missed your call, love you honey bun, see you later at home with our beautiful bundle of fun, blow baby Alice a big kiss from me.”
    Beep.
    MESSAGE SEVEN.
    “I’m on my way, I’ll be at the hospital as soon as I can, hold those contractions. Just kidding. Can’t wait to meet our baby, love you honey bun, blowing you kisses as I drive.”
    Beep.
    MESSAGE SIX.
    “Sweetheart, I’ve picked up some of those donuts you crave, and a chippy tea, so sit down and relax. I’ll give your feet a massage later. Catch those kisses.”
    Beep.
    MESSAGE FIVE.
    “How about we try making that baby tonight? Love you to bits, honey bun.”
    Beep. 
    MESSAGE FOUR.
    “Christmas together was wonderful, you make me feel so alive, blowing you a kiss, can you catch it?”
    Beep.
    MESSAGE THREE.
    “I’ve emailed you some holiday possibles, see what you think, be great to go exploring new cities with you.”
    Beep.
    MESSAGE TWO.
    “Thanks for coming to the work party with me last night, you are a great dancer, you made it so much more enjoyable. How about meeting up for lunch Tuesday? Maybe we could organise our next date.”
    Beep.
    MESSAGE ONE.
    “Hi, it’s Bob from the dating site, how about a drink, the pub on the high street, the King’s Arms, at eight? I’ll be the fool in the corner with the big bunch of flowers.”
    NO NEW MESSAGES AND NINE SAVED MESSAGES.
    Beep.
    “Hi, I can’t get to the phone just now, why don’t you leave me a message and if this is the love of my life, blow me a kiss.”
    His voice cascades into the night, his image projects onto her pillow, she sobs and blows a kiss.

Joyce Bingham is a Scottish writer who enjoys writing short fiction with pieces published by Molotov Cocktail, Ellipsis Zine, FlashBack Fiction, VirtualZine, Funny Pearls and Free Flash Fiction. She lives in the North of England where she makes up stories and tells tall tales.
binghamjoyce30.wixsite.com/joyce-bingham-writer
@JoyceBingham10 (Twitter)