| The Becky Ann Birkbeck Risk story | |
| ����� Phone conversations are like chess games. � You try to plan in your mind the moves you can make. � Do I say this? � Do I say that? � My move, your move, my move again. � A chess game. � But no matter how well you plan or rehease it, you can't predict how the other person will respond - What unforeseen move will they make that will change the way you see things? � How will they change the direction of the conversation and how will you respond to that? �����Whenever you pick up a phone things change. � Information transfers from one point to another. � Ideas are exchanged. � Plans are created where no plans existed before. � So, when I found myself with a phone in my hand listening to the ringing at the other end, all opening gambits of conversations came to an end. � My move was to call. � It wouldn't be my move again until someone answered. ����� I was nervous. ����� I didn't have a long wait. � The phone rang five times then: ����� "Hello?" ����� Becky's familiar voice sent a flood of memories rushing through my heart. � I was excited and unexpectedly relieved. � She was slightly out of breath. � I could almost see the puddle of pool-water forming at her feet as she stood there on the phone. ����� "Becky!" I said venturing forward a pawn. ����� "Rich!" Becky's voice lit up. � It felt good to hear that particular sound, that particular voice again. � It was sweet and fresh. ����� "Hello there," she said, "I knew that was you calling! � How are you?" ����� "Fine, and yourself?" ����� "A bit out of breath... � I was at the other end of the pool when I thought I heard the phone ring, so I swam quickly to get over here. � You know, I knew that I'd hear from you today. � I figured when I sent off the letter that it would reach you today." ����� "Yeah, I just received it. � God, it's good to hear your voice again!" ����� "I wasn't sure that you would call. � I figured that if I didn't hear from you by today, that you wouldn't call." ����� "I'll always welcome you with open arms and a warm heart." I said softly. ����� "I'm glad." ����� "So," I said moving out a Knight, "Will I get to see you?" ����� "I guess we can meet somewhere," she said, "I've got my mom's car, we can meet somewhere close by here." ����� "Okay. Where are you?" ����� "I'm on the east side. � Is Guggy's still in the Mall?" ����� My mind flashed. � Guggy's was a small restaurant in the Park Mall. � It had a nice cozy atmosphere and lots of stained-glass. � It had been a long time since I, we, had been there. ����� "Yes," I said, "What time?" ����� "Meet you there at 12:30. � That will give me time to shower and change clothes." ����� "Okay, see you there." ����� "Are you sure you want to do this?" She said with a bit of an edge. ����� I knew that tone in her voice. � It was a playful jab. � Bex's humor in the face of nervousness. ����� "I might have changed a lot," she continued, "I might have a wooden leg or something." ����� I nearly laughed. � Becky was so incredibly beautiful, she could make even wooden legs fashionable. ����� "I'll take that chance." I said. ����� "Wooden leg and all?" ����� "Wooden leg and all." I confirmed. ����� "Okay, see you there."
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