It was summertime in Mayberry, North Carolina. I, Andy Taylor, who is in my senior year in high school was outside hanging out with a couple of my friends.
"Andy, what do you plan to do this summer?" a girl in my class asked.
"I'm not sure what I want to do. Maybe hang out here in Mayberry."
Her name was Louise Finch, and we had been seeing each other for about a year now. We aren't steady or anything. We're just neighbors and classmates.
My friend, Barney Fife, was out of town for the weekend. At least it gave me some time alone.
"What time is it?"
"It is 4:13," I answered.
When I answered the question, we both heard Aunt Bee calling me to come in.
"I guess I will see you again sometime this weekend?"
"I don't think so, Andy. I want to start thinking about college. I think you should do the same thing."
"I'll talk with you later, Louise. Aunt Bee is calling."
"I can hear her. Talk next time."
I walked her to her driveway and made sure she got in safe.
I kept hearing her call me. So I ran inside.
"Andy, didn't you hear me call?"
"Yes, Aunt Bee. I wanted to walk Louise home."
She's a very lovely girl. Maybe she'll be your wife someday."
"I don't want to think that far ahead, Aunt Bee. She thinks I should start looking for colleges."
"I agree with her, Andy. You just can't stay here in Mayberry your whole life."
"I know. This is where I grew up, and I don't want to think about leaving."
"You might have to when someone accepts you."
I saw she made a lot of sense. She made ham, and fruits, and vegetables for dinner that night and vanilla cake.
I washed my hands before sitting down.
"Has Barney come back yet?"
"Not yet, Aunt Bee. He won't be back until Sunday," I answered.
"That's right. I do have some news I want to share."
"What's that?"
"You have a surprise visitor next month."
"Who?"
"I can't tell if it's a surprise. That visitor is getting excited about coming here."
"When does that person coming? You should've said something about it earlier so I can be prepared."
"I promised your surprise visitor I wouldn't tell who is coming out next month for the fourth of July."
"Let me guess. Is it somebody I know?"
"Andy, guessing isn't allowed. You'll just have to find out for yourself when the person comes out."
"Give me a few hints," I begged.
"No hints and guesses. I can tell Barney as long as he doesn't tell you. If he does tell, it won't be a surprise, would it?"
"No, Aunt Bee."
Now it was time for dinner.
"Maybe I can talk Barney into telling me if you share with him."
"No, Andy."
Barney Fife was my best friend and we have known each other since kindergarten and have been until high school. Who knows, maybe the two of us will go to college together, but you may never know.
What Aunt Bee didn't want to tell me the surprise visitor was a family member. Just let him be surprised himself, she told herself, and see how I react.
