Corrie Nation Classic

Edie heard the telephone ringing inside as she struggled to get her keys out of her purse at the door. “Why do I do this every time,” she asked herself, thinking how much easier it would have been to put them in her hand as she left the bar, only a few doors down. Her hair was falling from its band into her eyes. She shook her head and the hair stuck in her lipstick. The phone continued to ring. She blew an exasperated breath out, and some of the hair moved so she could see the keyhole. She let herself in, went to push the hair out of her face, and her hairband gave way at the pressure, popping into a useless strand of rubber at her feet. 

She set the dregs of the fruit drink cup she’d been balancing onto the side table, threw her purse and keys onto the sofa, and picked up the still ringing telephone.

“04739,” she answered, a bit breathlessly.

“Is this Edith Lynch?” asked a woman’s brusk sharp voice on the other end of the line.

Edie felt her hackles rise and her breath settle. Her response took a similar high impatient sharpness. 

“Yes? And who is calling?” The kitchen clock glowed lightly in her peripheral vision.

“You don’t need to know my name, Miss Lynch. I’d like to see if you can figure it out.”

Edie searched her mind for any memory of the voice, but the hum of those from the bar where she’d worked all day ran through her mind, blocking out any real though process. There was no humor in the voice, so she knew better than to think it was a friendly joke from a friend. 

“What is this concerning? I don’t have time for games,” Edie snapped into the phone. She was losing patience and wanted to sit down.

“Games seem to be all you have time for, Miss Lynch. I just need to say one thing to you, and that is, stay away from my husband! Does that help you figure out who I am? Or maybe you need a few more clues?” The woman’s sarcasm was cold in her voice.

“Now, listen here,” Edie started.

“If you come near him again, I’ll see you ruined, do you understand me?” The woman interrupted sharply, almost screaming out the words.

Edie’s eyes blinked in response to the sharp click that followed. She kicked off her shoes, walked into the kitchen, and reached for the water kettle.