karma's comeback?

so last night, the phone rings. dan answers, and it's not anyone we know. our phone number isn't unlisted, but it's also brand-new, so very few people have it. he sounds confused, because the person on the other line is asking for my ex. an interesting phone call, really. because of that whole new phone number thing, and how on god's green earth could it or would it possibly be linked to him?

after a minute, dan hands me the phone, and i speak to the gentleman. it's a creditor. (i figure this out by the company name.) he asks me how i know my ex, and i explain that he's my ex, and ask him why my phone number is linked to him, as we have never shared an account, credit card or otherwise. since the call isn't about money *i* owe (because i don't live beyond my means that way; racking up credit card debt/loan amounts to the tune of 50%+ your salary is probably not a good thing-just a hunch), i feel free to ask questions. given i'm not married to the ex, the gentleman on the phone can't give me much information, but needless to say, they're obviously interested in recouping money on something he's avoided paying for and has run away from (surprising? not at *all*.)

i oblige the gentleman, giving him his phone number and mailing address. he asks me if the ex is still working at so-and-so place, and i say 'god, no. and the job after that one he's not at, either. we probably have a common interest, since i'm trying to figure out who his current employer is, he's behind on some money he owes me!' the gentleman thanks me for my help, and says to have a good evening, i return the well wishes, and hang up.

it's interesting to me for a number of reasons, this phone call. i just got the phone number a couple months ago. i haven't been with the ex for four years, and like i said, never shared anything credit-related with him. bills were in his name, neither of us had each other on our own credit card accounts. so that i was linked to him for purposes of collecting a debt is strange. more interesting is that when i couldn't remember the number of the house on the street he now lives on, the guy already had it. but i was happy to help him out, because i believe if you dig yourself a hole, you can't just walk away from it. you've got to get yourself out of it without help from others.

it's all about honesty. i'm teaching lenore about lying, and how the more you lie and deceive people, the harder it gets to keep up with them. and the less people will be inclined to trust or believe you, especially when it really matters.

so i'm chalking that phone call up to karma. it seems lately that the bus has been coming 'round to the stop, and is ready to pick up its passenger(s).

all aboard!