The Perils of Technology

Pizza. That is all they wanted for dinner last night. Pizza. Ok. We decided on how many, what toppings etc. I was charged, as always, with the task of calling and placing the order. Simple. I have done it a zillion times, and no lasting scars.

I dialed the phone. It rang several times. Nothing unusual. "Hello" I hear on the other end. I was not expecting "Hello". I was not expecting the voice to be familiar. Who could this be?? Who did I know that would be working at a Pizza Delivery store? No, this voice was older. Much older.

"Who is this?" I boldly asked. My husband was sitting across the table from me, my 20-something children glaring at me. They wanted to hear their pizza order being placed.

"Who is this?" the voice on the other end demanded. Wow. That kind of force could only come from one person. My mother.

"Mom??? What are you doing....?" I didn't get to finish my question.

"What are YOU doing? YOU called me!" Uh oh. It was that "you-are-now-in-trouble-girl" voice.

"I am trying to order a pizza" I proudly proclaimed.

"Well", she said calmly, "order one for me too".

By the time I hung up, my family was on the floor rolling in laughter. I dialed the number to order a pizza and somehow got my mother. Only me. You see, we have a new (we have had it over a year) telephone system. My husband thinks that somehow I signaled the speed dial directory, and what ever number I pushed to dial the pizza place, referenced my mother's telephone number.

I did finally get it right. I ordered the pizza. Everyone is still laughing. Only me.