Doctor
speaking," his tired
"Hullo,"Who is YowellHe braced himself forvoice echoed. He didn't sound like
himself.
this?"
the same metallic voice that called
him back to the hospital, even on his days off. But instead, the high-pitched, yet
boyish voice that cried out, “Is this Eddie Yowell?” belonged to a different person.
He dragged a name out from the depths of memories, a name that he hadn’t had to in
decades:
"Lowrence?"
The two had met years ago, in the first year–or was it the second–of high
school. They had been such a peculiar pair at the time. No one had really understood
why the two had gotten along so well, including themselves. All that mattered was
that they could go exploring together. At least, that was all that mattered then.
There were a myriad of things he could say about Dan Lowrence, but if he
had to sum it up, he would say Dan was mischievous and fun, but not smart. Dan
had never seemed to care much about the future, even when he should have. But
he must have changed. I mean, we're over 30 now. Eddie swerved the car to a stop
and came out, having arrived at that nostalgic place where they had agreed to meet
again, someplace they had frequented as boys but that he had forgotten about as he
had begun working. The usual greeting passed between the reunited boys: one with
a huge grin plastered on his face, the other a bit more solemn, but with a pleasant
smile nonetheless. They sat down chattering. Talks of boyhood years sprouted out,
until Dan exclaimed:
"How we used to dream those days! Do you remember? Those times when we
would plan our entering into society, becoming big! Making a name for ourselves.
Do you remember?"
Eddie shifted uncomfortably under his friend's intense questioning. A pause for
the longest time, then a rather silent, "Yes, I suppose I do."
Regardless of his companion's discomfort–or perhaps not even noticing it–the
violent reminiscing continued: "People can't ever really tell what will happen, can
they? Tell me, do you still want to be a cop?" The boyish tint gleamed in his eyes.
"I changed my profession a while back. Majored in medicine. I'm a doctor."
"You don't say! I cannot in the world imagine why! You had such dreams. They
were what kept me with you, you know. Us two, different as day and night –but
those dreams kept us together. We used to dream so much. I haven't got a decent job,
not yet. But I've been searching, and there's a huge opportunity. They're reaching out
for me, Eddie buddy! As soon as I tackle this baby, I'm going to make it big."
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