"So you guys are going fishin' tomorrow?" Noreen asks. She called Nick back after the storm died down.
"We'll see, if this stuff stays away."
"Yeah it was pretty crazy, I get freaked out holding a phone with all the lightning."
"Tis the season, yeah, if I had more antennas I'd have to unplug, but I leave my little wire unhooked most of the time anyway."
"So have you been doing much listening?"
"Actually yeah, seems I'd rather find some Morse Code - well, they call it CW, and have that on to chill or play games or whatever."
"What's CW stand for?"
"Continuous Wave -"
"Hmmm."
"Well since it's a single tone, and you just toggle it off an on for the signal."
"Ahh that makes sense, because other sounds are, well, not so continuous."
"Something like that, but yeah it's getting easier to understand folks on there, some of them talk the good part of an hour about whatever, like they used to live close but one moved away. Usually they just give a weather report, brag about the rig and antenna and power, that kinda thing."
"Sounds about right. So are you going to get the license or whatever?"
"Seems it's more of a when than an if at this point."
"Let me know if you ever need any help, to practice, a quiz master or whatever hon."
"You'd bust me to a pulp."
"Only for your own good."
"Well it's mostly multiple choice these days so we'll see, plus the CW test, but I should have that pretty close, just need to practice with Pap's old tapes. So did you guys have fun yesterday?"
"Yeah the bugs weren't too bad and no one lost a finger."
"You sound disappointed."
"Wished someone could have been with me."
"Anyone I should know about?"
"Well...I have a surprise, and we can make it up..."
"Should I be nervous?"
"Maybe...how would you like to see inside the cabin?"
"Um, does that mean something dirty that I can't decipher?"
"Stop it, Dummy I'm serious..."
"So you're ready to share your space?"
"Yes, it was...well...I've been busy..."
"I thought you always kept busy one way or another, you teacher types."
"Nick, I had to make myself clean this place up."
"Oh."
She sighs, "you know I've been on my own for so long, and I didn't know what all to keep, and now this is a bright new season and I got inspired to weed out some things, box up some clothes to donate, stuff like that."
"I hope you didn't box up the blue dress."
Silence.
"Noreen?"
He hears a sniff.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry-"
"You're fine, I didn't think you remembered that."
"Umm, some things I'll never forget."
"I really miss you right now you piece of shit, you know that?"
"Now that sounds like my girl."
After a moment she pulls it it back together, "Alright, for your information I still have it, that's all you need to know."
"I'm glad."
"So, moving on -"
"Actually -"
She pauses. "Yes, dear?"
"Well, I've been meaning to mention something, not sure when is the right time."
"You're married with kids, I KNEW it."
"C'mon, Baby, it's not like that, just listen -"
"Yeah yeah, tell it too the judge...alright what's on your mind sport?"
"That night...."
She sighs again. "Nick, just say it, I think we're strong enough, whatever it is."
"Well, I....I kinda thought you were a bit older than you are, at first."
Longer pause. "Nick that's fine, and knowing you I find that quite flattering."
"Good."
"Do you wish I were older?"
"Not now, since that would mean we don't have as much time together."
Silence.
He waits.
"Nick, I don't know what to say. And that doesn't happen often."
"Well that's the way it is."
"Okay...wow...hon you just turned me into a pile of mush, the girl inside me, I hope you know, you just took things to a whole new level."
Nick doesn't know what to say.
"Alright, you ok?"
"Yeah, just listening to you."
"You're too good at that, Mister...ok, wow, well, what I was going to say before you dropped two bombs on me-"
"Sorry."
"Nick please don't apologize, as long as you are sincere, which I've come to know that you are honest to a fault."
"Lots of faults."
"Ok stop it, just...ok...hmmm...wow I'll sleep well tonight and with a huge smile, can you come see me soon?"
"Absolutely, Tuesday I'm all yours."
"Get here as early as you want, we can get breakys even, but I'll have a pickup arranged so we can take this stuff to the thrift store, then later on we can...celebrate." He can hear the smile in her voice.
"That works."
"We can grab a movie or bring one, whatever."
"Howbout those tapes I've been making?"
"Ahh SWEEET, forgot about that, perfect."