Telling Tales – Emergency Contact

By ANGEL KANE, Wilson Living Magazine

No matter where you go these days or what you do, it seems somebody or other wants you to list your “emergency contacts.”

If you are like me, you don’t hesitate on the first one. I always list my husband because he is ultra dependable. But #2 is a problem.

In some ways, I believe your list of “emergency contacts” should be privileged information. Nobody needs to know if they are or are not on the list until duty calls.

But, as luck would have it, just this past week, Becky and I had the need to discuss it.
The call went something like this…

Angel: “Hey, what are you doing?”

Becky: (Strained silence at first and then…) “Have you checked your cell phone? I called you and texted you!”

Angel: “No, I don’t even know where my phone is. It’s probably dead at the bottom of my purse. What’s up?”

What followed was a tirade (she would call it a discussion, but I’d definitely say tirade…) about how she ran out of gas, was stranded on the side of the road, called me but I didn’t answer my phone, my voicemail box was full and I never responded to her text for HELP!

Angel: “Why did you call me? You know I am not “emergency contact” material. You should have called Brody.”    

Becky: “Brody is not my best friend!”

Angel: “So what? You are not on my emergency contact list.”

Becky: “Are you kidding me? Who do you have listed after Brody?”

Angel: (Strained silence at first and then… ) “I have Lauren listed.”

For those of you who don‘t know, Lauren is a friend to both Becky and I. She is our sensible, dependable friend.

She is my #2.

What followed was a tirade (she would call it a discussion, but I’d definitely say tirade…) about how she should hold the coveted #2 spot, because if there ever came the day when there was an emergency (and Brody couldn’t be found) she would definitely be there to help me. 

Angel: “Listen, we both know that isn’t true. Neither of us are good emergency contact material. I never answer my phone and you are the type of person who runs out of gas. Definitely not emergency contact material!”

What followed was a tirade (she would call it a tirade too) and now Becky is my #2.

Let’s all hope and pray Brody keeps his phone close.