Back By Popular Demand

Well, since my fan club wants more of the story, here's a small update.


The Night From Hell

I'm not sure how many songs I sat through when the phone beeped. Someone was calling me, and I didn't have to be psychic to know who it was.

"Hello, Mom," I say.

"Karen, my electric is still out. When are they going to fix it?" my mother asked.

"I don't know," I say. "I'm sure they're working as fast as they can."

"Well, what did they say when you called?" my mother asked.

"They didn't say anything," I say. "I'm still trying to get through to them."

"Oh, ok. Will you call me when you find out?" my mother asked.

"Ok, Mom," I say. "I'm on the phone with them right now."

"Hello, my electric is out. When will it be back on?" my mother asked.

"Mom, who are you talking to?" I ask.

"Didn't you say you had the electric company on the phone?" my mother asked.

"Mom, they can't hear you. I was on hold with them when the call waiting on my phone beeped when you called. Now I have them on hold." I say.

"Well, when you talk to them, will you ask how long my electric will be out?" my mother asked.

"That's the only reason I'm calling them, Mom. When I find anything out I'll call you, ok?" I say.

"Ok, Karen. Have a nice night."

I wish, I thought. "You too, Mom." I say.

When I pushed the button to switch back to the electric company I was just in time to hear the phone click and hang up. I should have expected the electric company to finally let me through when my mom was distracting me. Well, if I have to stay up, I might as well turn on the tv. Wouldn't you know the couple that had been fighting before were dancing together, looking at each other like they wanted to strip down and buff the dance floor. I dialed the electric company back up, pressed two, and picked up the remote. It wasn't dripping anymore, but it still wasn't working. Maybe it will work in the morning, when it's all dry inside, I thought.

It didn't seem like very long when an operator got on the phone.

"Thank you for calling Consolidated Electric, how may I help you?" she asked.

"Hi, my mom lives at 72 Madison Street and her electric is out. Do you know how long it will be out?" I ask.

"I'm sorry, our coverage area doesn't include Madison Street," she said.

"Well, her electric is out and she wanted me to call and find out how long it will be out. When will your coverage area include Madison Street?" I ask.

"Unfortunately, we don't service that area of town. You need to call her electric provider to find out about her service."

"Well, who is her provider?" I ask.

"I don't know," she said. "It could be Northwest Power, or United Energy Co-op."

"Can't you look it up and see which one it is?" I ask.

"No, I don't have any information on electric service outside of Consolidated Electric's service area. You need to find out which company provides your mother's service and call them."

"Ok," I say, and hang up.