The Telephone

Since last I wrote about my father's situation there have been two hospitalizations for some infection that they believe to be pneumonia.  Other than those two incidents and a recent decrease in appetite he doesn't seem much different.  Still, every time I see the caller ID with my parent's number I pause and take a deep breath because I dread what the call might be about.  Even though some of the calls are completely unrelated to death or cancer or illness the worst case scenario flashes through my mind right before I pick up the handset.  I am coming to dislike the phone because lately it never rings for good news.