So, I'm running late to my birthday dinner because we had a power outage in my neighborhood and it caused all sorts of problems with the house alarm. On my way to dinner, I phone Deek to see if he lost power too.

"I don't know. I'm in Mesa right now at work. Call Matt and see."

After finishing my call with Deek, I scroll through my phone to Matt and press the send button. After a few rings he answers.

"Hello."

"Hey. Do you have power?"

"Um...yeah, I've got power," he said cautiously.

"Weird. My power's out."

"No. We have power." I could tell he didn't recognize my voice.

"It's Brian." I wait for recognition. I don't get it. "Deek's friend."

"Who?"

I tell him my full name. I look at the display on my phone and realize I'm not calling a local number, but remember Matt was using his previous number before getting a local plan.

"Am I calling your old number?" I ask confused, because I swore I programmed the new number when he got it.

"No," he said with hesitation. "I don't have a new number."

Okay, I think. Something's amiss here.

"Who are you calling?" he asked.

"Matt. Deek's friend. The one he lives with." I asked trying to figure out what's off here. Is Matt fucking with my head? I didn't dial this number, so it must be him...right?

"I don't know Deek or live with him."

"Oh." Well fuck. Now I'm more confused than before.

"How did you get my number?"

"I don't know. I thought you gave it to me. I'm sorry for bothering you. I must have the wrong number."

"No problem." And we hang up.

Now color me confused. I'm trying to put it all together in my mind and nothing makes sense. So I scroll through my numbers and I find two Matts. My Matt — the one in my neighborhood — is the second number.

"Who is this other guy?" I wonder. I mean it's not that uncommon for numbers of anonymous men to be in my cell phone, but this was ridiculous. Then it hits me.

"Holy shit! It's MAK!"

Last Labor Day, I was to visit my friends in New York and MAK gave me his phone number for when I got there. I programmed it in my phone and it has sat there ever since. Both Matts have similar last names and I used the first one I found.

I phoned back to explain, however my call went to voicemail and I left what was probably an equally crazy message. Who can blame him for not answering? One insanity call per night is more than enough.

Sorry MAK! Hope all is well. :-)