Part Nine

In the morning.

She gave me.

A....

CELL PHONE!



 “Are... are you serious?” I exclaimed reverently. John had to buy his own cell.

“I just want you to be able to call me if your plans change again,” Mom said. Her voice was airy and matter-of-factly at the same time. A warning tone underlay both, and she still held the actual phone in her hand. I couldn't touch the thing.

She continued, “I've already programmed in a few numbers. The home phone is speed dial number two, and my cell is number three. You can figure out the rest.”

“What about Dad?” I asked. “Is he in there?”

Mom turned sour and sad, but I had no idea why.

“You can't call him right now,” she informed me, then dropped the phone in my hands and walked away briskly. “Don't be late to school!”

...

 What was that about?

 Why can't I call my dad?
 
 Was there something going on with my parents?