There were three rings.

“Hello?”

“Wilson?” 

“Man?  That you?  Where you calling from?  Sounds like long distance.  You okay?”

“It is long distance, just the way I like it, but I thought I better call you to say it’s okay, I’m fine.  Joey there?”

“Nah, just went home.  Where are you?”

“Down in Oregon.  Caught me a ride with a trucker cause Sam was taking me for a ride and he psyched me out and stuff.  I got tired of his crap and ran.  Caught a ride to Oregon with Packard, I mean..”

“Who?”

“No one.  Can’t say, really, I promised.  Can’t say where I am neither except I’m with a great family, kids a little older than me.  I gonna get initiated today.  Actually I been initiated since the night I left.  Hey, I gotta go, but here, take my number, and don’t tell anyone, okay?”

“Sure man, you can trust me.  I’s your closest buddy.  We all miss you, man.  You plan on heading back?”  Wilson sounded mad.

“Never, dude.  You got to come down here if you want to see me.  I can’t be found, not for ten  more years.  I miss you guys.  Here’s the number, and then I gotta go.”

“Sure, man.”

“503-771-3491.  Got it?”

“Yeah I got it, man, 7713491.  I’ll tell Joey.  So we can come to see you?” asked Wilson.

“I’m not sure, there’s a lot of people here right now.  Pack…I mean, the guy who took me in doesn’t need anymore trouble.  I’ll call you back later.”

“Sure, I guess so.  Take care, man.  I’ll call Joey right now and tell him.”

“Okay, well, bye.  See you guys later.”

“Bye.”

The Man started to hang up when Carol came into the kitchen.

“Hi, hun.  You and the boys ready for some sandwiches?”

“No, I’s just calling my old friends to let them know I’m okay.  Been awhile, now, I gave Wilson the number here, I hope that’s okay.  He’s trusty.  He won’t snitch on me.  Well, time for my initiation, so I better get down to the creek with the other guys.  We’ll be back in a little while for sandwiches.”

“You sure?”  I could make them up real fast if you want…”