Nick got the call on Tuesday.
“Nick, it’s Randy. I’m in town. See you tonight?”
“After sixty years? My childhood best friend. I’m here.”
Randy looked good. They sampled Nick’s bourbon, grilled burgers, traded happy memories for hours. Very late, Randy paused, shifted tone: “Nick, you hurt me that once.”
“I remember.” Instant flashback: The afternoon he broke Randy’s nose, fighting over delivering newspapers—for fifty cents. “Sorry, Randy. I’ve always regretted that.”
They parted smiling. Nick’s apology cleansed him. Five years and he hasn’t heard from Randy again. Nick wonders why Randy came, whether he ever let it go.
“Nick, it’s Randy. I’m in town. See you tonight?”
“After sixty years? My childhood best friend. I’m here.”
Randy looked good. They sampled Nick’s bourbon, grilled burgers, traded happy memories for hours. Very late, Randy paused, shifted tone: “Nick, you hurt me that once.”
“I remember.” Instant flashback: The afternoon he broke Randy’s nose, fighting over delivering newspapers—for fifty cents. “Sorry, Randy. I’ve always regretted that.”
They parted smiling. Nick’s apology cleansed him. Five years and he hasn’t heard from Randy again. Nick wonders why Randy came, whether he ever let it go.
