I know exactly what you mean Danny! I get a phone call every 6 months. Nothing adversarial, of course, but it is annoying. In January I received a call but this time from a different person.

During the course of our "routine" conversation I began to detect some hostility. I asked him if something was bothering him and he said no. So then I asked him where the guy that usually calls me was and he started himming and hawing. He said this guy was sick. I said what do you mean sick, like as in the flu? He said no that this guy has cancer. It was then I realized this guy was actually hating having to make the phone call in the first place. He told me he wished me the best. I told him I'd be talking to him in six months. I actually hung up the phone feeling sorry for him.