chapter 15

On page 301, Oscar was telling William Black about the fifth message his father led ton the answering machine.

"He needed me, and I couldn't pick up. I just couldn't pick up. I just couldn't" (301).

Why didn't Oscar pick up?
If he didn't pick up because he was afraid of what he might hear, then what did he think he was going to hear?
If he thought he Dad was calling to say something bad, that Oscar wouldn't want to hear, wouldn't Oscar want to be able to say goodbye, or at least talk to him?
Did Oscar's father die right after the phone call?
Does Oscar regret not answering the phone?
Is that why he doesn't tell anybody, except for William, about the fifth message, because he feels guilty?