Lost phone

May 7, 2026

My ol’ man can’t take a step without his phone.

Years ago, his kids called his phone ‘the brick’ because that’s what it looked like. Now phones are so small and slippery they can virtually disappear. That’s what happened.

We were out on a drug run, my ol’ man and me. That sounds funny because years ago it was illegal to go buy drugs on the street from shady characters. Yesterday we needed to legally purchase marijuana gummies to help him and my missus sleep, a problem I’ve never encountered. My ol’ man had his phone on his lap with directions to the dispensary. Turning a corner, the phone slipped off his lap. And disappeared.

We pulled into the drug store; my ol’ man looked on the floor and under the seats of the car. No phone. He went inside and came out with gummies to share with my missus. Still no phone. We drove to another drug store for prescription medications. Ol’ man searched for phone without success.

Finally, it was time to head to the post office. My ol’ man pushed the seats back; he reached under the seats and on the floor of the car. Still no phone. I could feel his anxiety rising: heavy breathing, bad words, a sense of panic. How would life continue without his phone?

At last, I heard a soft, ‘ah ha’ from the back seat. He caught a glimpse of his phone tucked between his seat and the console. After a bit more grunting and groaning he came up with the phone.

Mission accomplished. Life can go on.

Kutter

PS: My ol’ man is giving a book talk at 6 pm today at the Edgartown Library. I’ve heard it all before, but if you haven’t, it’s all about big storms that have hit the Vineyard over the years. Lots of memorable images and intriguing stories.

Today: Edgartown Library. Thursday May 7 at 6 pm. Historic Storms book talk.