The Midnight Caller

The sound of the ringing phone filled her with dread.  In all of her life, the phone ringing at 3:40 a.m. was never good news.  Celia shook herself awake and clumsily made her way to the kitchen.  Her foggy mind kept repeating: “Please don’t wake Willie, please don’t wake Willie!”  The thought of her day beginning at such an early hour did not excite her in the least. 

The past two months had flown by.  Two months ago, Celia and her young charges had waved a reluctant good-bye to the black sedan as it had carried the desperate father and sick mother away on their last attempt of recovery.  Her initial feelings of desperation had been gradually replaced by a calm sense of acceptance and excitement over the little lives she had in her care.  As the days busy with life moments had slipped past into weeks, she found herself more and more loving these little boys so alone and in need of her care.  She managed to channel the amazing energy of the twins by keeping them busy with helping and playing outdoors.  Willie had settled down after she had read the parenting book from the library and had set some strict nap and feeding times.  Overall, Celia found herself growing more and more confident in her parenting abilities and the thought of this happiness coming to an end filled her with a reluctant sense of dread. 

She managed to pick up the phone on the sixth ring.  “Umm … hello?”  In all honesty this was really only the second time the phone had rung in the whole time she had been there.  Mr. and Mrs. Henry and Jane Patterson did not have access to a telephone at the resort where they were staying.  Mr. Patterson had contacted Celia shortly after their arrival to let her know that they had arrived safely and were settling in nicely.  The effect of hearing their father’s voice on the phone had only confused the twins.  It had taken Celia some time to settle them down and for things to return back to normal.  She had faithfully been writing each week to keep the troubled parents up to date on the daily activities of their children with no response.

“Is this the Patterson residence?”  asked the operator in clipped tones.

“Well, uh, yes, I suppose it is.” Replied Celia still trying to clear her mind of sleep.

“Is that a yes?” the operator questioned. 

“Yes, yes this the Patterson’s “ said Celia.  “How may I help you?” 

“Will you accept a collect call from a Mr. William Patterson?”  the operator asked.

Celia’s mind raced to keep up with the questions.  A collect call would mean that the charges would come to the house.  She was not sure if she should do that.  However, Mr. William Patterson must be the brother to Mr. Henry Patterson.  That would make him the Uncle William that Ethan and Joshua talked about with such excitement.    How could she not accept a call from him at this time in the morning.

“Yes, yes I suppose I will.” Celia put her head in her hand and fervently hoped she was doing the right thing. 

“Hello Henry, is that you Henry?”  A bright and cheerful voice questioned.

Celia shook her head.  She could barely get her mind thinking.  “I am truly sorry Mr. Patterson, um, but the Mr. Patterson you are, um, looking for is not here.  I am, um, Miss Celia Walters and I am living here as a nanny to his children.  Have you any idea what time it is?”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of the time… let me see here.  My watch says it is 2:40 in the afternoon.  However I must really apologise to you my dear lady.  You see, I have just stepped off the boat from India and gave not a thought to the difference in time.  My body is still living in Indian time I am afraid and I have given no consideration to what time you are living in.  My deepest apologies.  While I am so very sorry, now that I have you on the phone and you are awake.  I must ask you some questions.  Where exactly is my brother Henry?”

Celia shook her head again.  Mr. Patterson spoke so quickly she only caught half of what he had said.  “Your brother is at the ocean with his wife.  He is completely unable to talk with you at this moment.  Now, if you will excuse me, I have some sleeping to get to.”  And with that she began to hang up the phone.

William’s insistent voice could be heard on the other end of the receiver.  “Now, Miss, please don’t hang up!  I really need to speak with you, if you could spare me a little more of your time.”

Celia returned the receiver to her ear. 

“If you would be so kind, I am in need of a place to go.  I am unfortunately quite short on money and a taxi fare is about all I have.   Henry and his home are the only ones I have in this big country.  I will be arriving at the house in about four hours.  I thank you for your patience and I will hope to see you then.”  With that he hung up the phone.

Celia shook her head again.  Did she just dream this whole conversation?  The long lost uncle from India is showing up in four hours?  What on earth was she supposed to do with an uncle who had no money?

Celia slowly hung up the phone. 

There would be no more sleep for her tonight.  She went into the kitchen to make herself a pot of tea.  She had four hours to think of what she supposed to do now.