Chapter 1: A Glimpse into Rural Life

Growing up in a small Kansas town with a population of fewer than 1,000, I experienced a unique side of communication. Our phone system was a party line, identifiable by a number composed of two letters—EA—followed by a 5 and four additional digits that have since faded from memory. In our community, the initial digits were always 3 and 2. I even have a church fan from those earlier days as a nostalgic keepsake.

When it came to our home line, the ring was always long. Others had their own variations: a combination of long and short rings, two short rings, or a mix of both. I vividly recall the frustration of picking up the phone to make a call, only to overhear the older ladies discussing their latest medical procedures, knowing it could be hours before I could connect with a friend about homework.

However, the party lines served another purpose—they became the town’s gossip channels. Bored listeners would eavesdrop on each other’s conversations. I remember one specific instance when I was discussing a simple math problem with a cousin, and she asked who was typing at my house. I replied, “No one.” Click.

The following day at school, my cousin and I devised a plan. We decided to spread an outrageous rumor and see how quickly it would circulate. We had a principal we despised, who favored bullies and often targeted marginalized students. So, we concocted a story that Mr. W was receiving treatment for genital warts and gonorrhea, discussed in detail over the phone.

We hung up, and I laughed heartily in my room. Feeling powerless due to bullying both at home and school, I found small ways to fight back. This was one of them. Sure enough, that rumor spread like wildfire throughout our little town, and I never divulged a word to anyone—we simply chatted about it over the phone.

I found other creative ways to retaliate against the bullies. For instance, I swapped out the communion juice (Welches) for persimmon juice mixed with food coloring. I also soaked the church’s central heating filter with Bacardi 151. Additionally, when asked to prepare a salad for a church event, I included tuna, boiled eggs, and an ounce of “herbs.”

No regrets.

Thank you for visiting my small corner of the internet. Please remember to scroll all the way to the bottom of my Medium articles; if you don’t, they won’t register as reads, and it affects how much writers earn.

Chapter 2: The Evolution of Communication

Section 2.1: The Impact of Eavesdropping

In those days, eavesdropping wasn't just an annoyance; it was a way of life. The party lines allowed neighbors to stay connected, albeit sometimes against their will.

Subsection 2.1.1: Creative Retaliation