PASSING THROUGH -THE PHONE CALL

Well, I'll be damned.  I can't believe it's really you.  I never thought I'd ever hear your voice again.  Where are you calling from?

LL Bean?  My god you are practically in my driveway.  I hope you are coming by here.  Surely you must.

Well, I could at least feed you and it would be great to put you up for the night.  I have fresh booze too!  Heh. Heh.

What?  Doctor took you off of the booze?  Change doctors. . . . . 

Oh, I see. . . . I see.  Well, that is too bad.  I was joking of course. You need to take care of that.

So it's just you and Darlene? That's nice. Nice little romantic getaway?

Okay, just a getaway then.  Heh Heh. 

I am curious, after what – 60 years, how did you find me? - - - Bill?  You in touch with Billy are you? Well, yes he comes up at least once a season and we have a good time with each other.

I stopped trying to find old boyhood chums a long time ago. I found it depressing.  Kind of like graveyard browsing.  But that could just be my own problem.  I drug up and left town and never returned.  It didn't occur to me at the time that I was leaving my entire childhood behind, but I suppose that's what we all do at some level. I did it big time.  2000 miles and 60 years makes intimacy just a tad difficult.  So many have passed on, you know.

Yeah. You got it.  No, I am not in touch with too many of the old gang.  Billy, of course.

Louise? Yes. She married a cousin of mine you know and we have managed to be in touch for the past 20 or so years. 

I do email another cousin now and then. I don't even know where any of the others are these days. You move on, you know. I find it best not to hang around too much or too long in the past.

So, where'd you say you are headed? Canada?  Love it up there. Well, I do wish you had the time to come by.  It would be good to see whose the fattest.

Ha!  So you think you're the champ in that category?  Let me tell you, at our age we are just plain lucky no matter what body type we sport around.

Yeah, ain't it the truth?

So you're getting on the road now, huh?

Yes, my father used to say that.  Got to make that good time when going somewhere. How far do you think you'll get today? 

All the way to Moncton? That's a good days work. And you were outside of Boston last night? 

Oh, I see. So you flew to Logan and rented a car. That's the way to go.

No, I never get down south anymore since all the old folks died.  Listen to me. Whose calling who old?

Well, yes.  I can imagine driving down.  We've talked about that.  Road trip, you know.  I'd rather like that.

Listen, I am so glad you called.   I still think you need to come by here.  

I understand, believe me, I do.

You drive carefully now, and have a good time.

And stay in touch too, you hear?

You too. . .

Bye now.