A Telephone Call by Dorothy Parker

Desperation for Connection
- The narrator desperately prays for a phone call, indicating deep emotional need.
- Repeated pleas to God emphasize the intensity of this desire.
- Reflects on the significance of a simple phone call, noting it as a seemingly trivial yet monumental request.
Counting Ritual
- Considers counting to distract from anxiety; believes the act may prompt the call.
- Counts slowly and considers the conscious decision not to answer the phone if it rings before reaching his count limit.
Anticipation and Memory
- Recollects words spoken by the man: "I'll call you at five, darling."
- Reassures self with the memory of being called "darling," suggesting a bond that may still exist.
Fear of Inaction
- Anxious about overly contacting someone, fearing it may push them away.
- Internally debates if her interactions could be seen as bothersome or annoying.
Emotional Turmoil
- Expresses frustration with the waiting, longing for reassurance; fears that lack of contact implies rejection.
- Confronts the fear of not hearing from him again, seeking strength in prayer.
Desire for Reevaluation
- Questions the severity of her feelings and how they may appear to the man.
- Believes communication is critical and continues to plead for the phone to ring.

Frustration with the Telephone
- Anger directed towards the telephone personifies her emotional state; the device becomes a symbol of her anxiety and frustration.
- Feels that the phone could relieve her suffering but instead intensifies it.
Distraction Strategies
- Plans to remove distractions (like the clock) to avoid fixating on the wait.
- Creates scenarios in her mind where she would act sweetly upon his call, clinging to hope of rekindling their connection.
Internal Conflict
- Remains torn between the desire for contact and the fear of rejection.
- Recognizes her emotions as irrational yet compelling—questions her own worthiness and pride.
- Struggles with balancing hope against the potential for being let down.
Pride and Vulnerability
- Explores the theme of pride; wants to remain dignified yet feels the weight of longing.
- Counsel from God regarding her emotions; acknowledges that pride diminishes in the face of love and need.

Desire for Control
- Longing for clarity; oscillates between despair and hopeful anticipation.
- Voices conflicting thoughts about the man, imagining both happiness in their relationships and bitterness towards him.
Pondering Outcomes
- Acknowledges the possibility of various external circumstances impacting his call.
- Caught in a cycle of self-justification for waiting, making excuses for his potential delay.
Wish fulfillment
- Exhibits dark thoughts, wishing he were dead as a way to possess him completely; this reflects her desperation and longing for unattainable completeness in relationship.
- Acknowledges the irrationality of such wishes no matter how emotionally charged she feels.

Coping Mechanisms
- Tries to rationalize her feelings by considering how she would act if he were just another acquaintance, minimizing the intimacy of the situation.
- Struggles with the idea of simply reaching out, yet the thought terrifies her.
Continued Pleas for Contact
- Repeats her desire for the call, indicating how it has become central to her emotional stability.
- The text highlights her anxiety and a continual cycle of hope and disappointment.
Final Invocation
- Reiterates prayers to God for intervention while struggling with the need to maintain some semblance of control and dignity.
- Maintains a hopefulness that battles against despair, encapsulating the story's emotional depth and tone.