Sunlight filters in through my kitchen window brightening the room. It reflects off the bright yellow walls and I raise a hand to shield my eyes from the glare. Maybe yellow wasn't a great choice for this room. I shuffle to the fridge, but before the door's fully open, there's a muffled ringing from the living room.
The phone hidden in the desk.
A new home for that needs to happen sooner rather than later. Better yet, an upgrade, cordless. With voicemail.
So far I haven't uncovered a hidden answering machine, and the phone is too old school to have voicemail, so I hustle to answer. It rings when I open the drawer and pull the phone out, answering with a muffled hello. No one responds. I'm about to hang up when a voice I'd hoped to never hear again shouts.
"It's about time you answer on
