Have you ever had a really sucky day at work where when you get home you're so exhausted you can't think about anything, not even sex? Well, I had one of those days today. I came home from one of the busiest days ever and all I could think about was vegging out and watching Gilmore girls.
Just as I was slipping out of my work clothes and into my dingy pajama bottoms and ratty old t-shirt, the phone rang.
"Grrrrrreat," I mumbled to myself. "It's probably the phone company wanting me to switch again."
As I snatched the phone out of it's cradle and slapped it to my ear, I heard a loud roaring and the honking of horns almost overpowering the voice of someone.
"Hello!" I screamed. "Hello? Hello?"
Finally it quieted somewhat and I heard the voice of a man that sounded vaguely familiar yet not immediately recognizable.
"Hello Baylee? You probably don't remember me, but I went to high school with you. This is Josh Blankman and as class president I am calling everyone in the class of 1992 to get current addresses for the class reunion. I'm sorry for the noise as I'm stuck in traffic and thought I'd get some of these calls out of the way."
Josh Blankman. That's why his voice sounded so familiar. I had certainly heard it numerous times. As class president and president of just about every club in school, Josh gave a lot of long-winded speeches. Josh was the smartest guy in class and the nerdiest. He was a bonafied geek in high school. I felt somewhat sorry for him having to call everyone who used to make fun of him and act as if they had never hurt him.
"Josh! It's great to hear from you," I said with mock enthusiasm and a pang of guilt. "How have you been and where'd you ever end up?"
"Oh, I'm living in Austin and am president of one of the largest banks in the U.S. I'm actually in Houston right now, though. I was in town visiting my parents since dad just got out of the hospital."
"Nothing serious I hope," I said.
"No, not at all, but I hadn't been down to visit in awhile and it was a good excuse. So how are you, Baylee? Married with rugrats I assume?"
"Rugrats? Hardly! I was engaged for awhile but it didn't work out. How about you?" I asked, becoming genuinely interested for some unknown reason.
"Not married, no kids," Josh said. "All I have is my pug Wrigley and my Persian cat Donovan to keep me company."
He had pets. I love a man with pets. About that time an idea came to me. I don't know if it was out of genuine kindness or a morbid since of curiosity, but before I knew it the words were out of my mouth.
"Josh, I actually have an address book with a lot of addresses of our classmates. I gathered them for the wedding and now that I have no use for them, why don't you come by and pick it up? It would keep you from having to call everyone. I live at 102 Bolivante Lane."