"Hi, this is Isaac and you've reached the Hanson Hotline."As Isaac rambled off on one of his long boring messages, something about the new album that had been said about three million times before, Kali couldn't help remembering how he'd used to leave those long boring messages on her answering machine, back when they'd first started dating.
So much time had passed since then, the last times that she had called the hotline. She'd missed him so much when he was on tour that she'd called in the middle of the night, just to hear his voice.
Beep. Kali took a deep breath before she began to speak."I really should have called your cell phone to tell you this, but I was afraid that I'd chicken out, or you wouldn't let me try to explain. I really wanted you to hear this and I thought that this would be one way I could be sure you'd listen to this.
"Maybe I don't have any right to be talking to you, in fact I don't. I wasn't there when you really needed me and I know there's no words to explain that away. I just,"her voice broke and a rush of tears streamed down her face.
"It's been four months and I know I made a big mistake. I just can't forgive myself for what I did. I don't know why I'm bothering calling because I can't think of a single reason that you should forgive me. I just, I got scared, Ike. Funny thing, me being scared. I didn't think anything could make me be afraid.
"I guess marriage does. She was blond and leggy. I knew deep down inside that there was nothing between you two. Like I said, I was afraid. Rationalization just wasn't working for me. I had to know. There was no reason for me to accuse you of that.
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me. I was a little on edge then, and I know why now. This is the worst time in the world for this, but I thought you had a right to know. I'm pregnant."
She paused before continuing."I don't expect anything from you. I don't expect all our problems to go away just because of this. If anything, this would make everything worse. Especially when you don't love me anymore.
"But I still love you. I can't help it. I'm sorry for everything I did. I'm sorry I never trusted you. But I'm not sorry that I'm having this baby. Because when you inevitably divorce me, I know I'll at least have something to remember you by."
No goodbyes, she'd promised herself. She hit # ."Press one to send your message,"the ever-familiar mechanical woman's voice said and she pushed one before she had a chance to chicken out.
On her way upstairs, intending to go to bed and cry herself to sleep, she noticed the blinking light on her answering machine.
"I miss you, Kali,"was the first thing she heard. It was Isaac's voice."I should have seen how jealous you were of her. I still don't know how someone as beautiful as you could be so insecure, but I could have been more sensitive to your feelings. I know you don't want me back, but I'll never stop loving you, Kali. Remember that. I'd do anything to get you back and be able to hold you in my arms again. I'll never forget you."
She must have hit the "repeat" button a hundred times, not believing what she'd heard. It was over an hour later and she was still listening to the message when she heard a soft knock on the door.
Logic told her that the only person it could be was him, but she still crossed her fingers as she opened the door.
There Isaac stood, staring at her with an intensity that took her breath away. She couldn't say a word, and he seemed tongue-tied as well. Then slowly, he reached out a hand and touched her slightly rounding stomach lightly.
"We're having a baby,"he whispered.
She looked up at him, saying everything she couldn't say out loud with her eyes."Yeah."
A lazy grin spread over her face."I'll never let you walk out of my life again."And with that he pulled her into his arms and held her so tight she knew she'd never have to leave another lonely message on the Hanson Hotline, or any other answering machine for that matter.