The phone rang, and the newspaper slipped from my hands. I looked over at the phone and back at the newspaper on the floor. I grabbed the section I’d been looking at and ignored the phone. I stared at the photo and the phone eventually quit ringing.

I couldn’t bring myself to look at the written words right away. I recalled having that photo taken- I hated that tie.

I tried to read the obituary finally, but it seemed to be double copied or something. The letters didn’t make any sense. I couldn’t make anything out other than a number- 53. I think. Was this a warning? Was it too late?

Some kind of joke, it must be. One of my exes with a bit of pull and a poor sense of humor. That had to be what happened.

The phone rang again, and I answered it this time. “Hello?”