So my friend went on a vacation for a week and asked me to take care of his place for him. Everything was going fine, for the most part.



On the third morning he gave me a call and asked: So how is everything going?



The house is fine, I said, but your cat died.



Wha . . . click He hung up on me.



Later that day my friend called back and said, Sorry I hung up on you. I was just so distraught. It really ruined my day. I wish you had given me the news a little more slowly.



Hows that? I asked.



Well, maybe you could have told me that my cat had climbed on the roof and wouldnt come down. The tomorrow you could have told me you were trying to get him down, but he wouldnt budge. The next day you could have said hes not eating, then the following that he had died. At least it wouldnt be so shocking.



Ok, sorry. Next time Ill know better.



He said, its ok, I know you didnt mean it. So hows my mom?



Shes climbed on the roof and I cant get her down.