He Said I Iove You and Goodbye

by Aislin Wise
(California)

I was 13 years old. It was April 13th 1994. My phone rang. I was sitting at the table doing homework when I answered the phone and didn't recognize the voice.

Me: Hello
Voice: Hello honey
Me: Who is this?
Voice: I miss you
Me: Who is this?
Voice: It's your father. I love you.
Me: What?
Voice: Goodbye.
Me: Dad?

At that point the phone got a little static and when it cleared I heard my grandfather saying "hello, are you there, hello. What the hell is wrong with this damn phone?"

I began a conversation with my grandfather but will never forget the day my father called to say goodbye. You see that was the day he was found dead due to heart failure in his apartment.