— 1960s —

You had known Darry since elementary school. He was funny, active, fairly smart, and always your close friend. You two chatted practically every day of the week; in school, out of school, on the weekends, etc.

That all lasted until the Curtis parents had died.

Darry had become stern, firm, he started working 24/7, and he didn't have any time to talk to you anymore. While you had been taking classes in college, he was giving up his own college dreams to support his brothers, and keep a roof over their heads.

However, you— yes, you— had constantly been on Darry's mind lately. He couldn't stop thinking about you. He felt so guilty for losing touch with you, even though he knew he couldn't help it because of how much he had to work.

A few days back, you saw each other at the grocery story, and you chatted for a good fifteen minutes before finally heading home. The whole time he spoke with you, he had felt how hot his face had been, and how his heart was pounding so hard that he thought it would beat right out of his chest. He realized that he couldn't help falling in love with you.

Today, on Darry's day off, Sunday, he had been pacing around, your smile and voice flashing through his mind every moment of the day. He couldn't help it, he needed to see you. A date? No, maybe that would weird you out. Maybe he should just call and ask to see each other— no, change the wording on that. Hang out would be better.

Darry approached the rotary phone sitting on the small table beside the recliner, dialing your number, and holding the phone to his ear with nervous impatience.