This morning I was teaching the last day of a three-day class when my phone rings.
“Whoops, sorry about that,” I apologize as I silence my ringer.
Thirty seconds later I see my phone flashing silently — it’s the same number, trying again. It’s a local number but I don’t recognize it, so I let it ring through.
Another minute later my phone is silently ringing again. Same number. Now I begin to think . . . what if my mother-in-law and the kids have been in a car accident, and a Good Samaritan has found my number in her phone, and they’re struggling to reach me, to tell me my kids are in an accident, but they’re okay, but you need to get here now. Now!
No. No no no. Take a breath. That’s too far-fetched. But why is this number so insistent?
It rings a fourth time, silently but urgently. I have the full attention of some 20 people, but my mind is racing about that phone call and what could be going on.
A fifth time. Okay, I’ve got to.
“Sorry, guys; this number has called me five times. I’ve got to see what’s up.”
The class waits silently as I answer, “Hello?”
“Is this Mrs Williams, Samuel’s mom?”
“Yes . . .”
“This is an appointment reminder for tomorrow with Dr. Mosis. Please arrive at 1:00 p.m. for your 1:30 p.m. appointment.”
“Okay. Will do.”
Well. Apparently Sam has an appointment with the most insistent doctor’s office in the state of Alabama.