I returned to Devon and everything went back to how it was except for Finny being gone along with Peace.

I walked towards the crew house, I had applied for the job of assistant senior crew manager. The job was normally given to boys who had physical disabilities,since everyone at the school had to take a part in sports. Quackenbush was the crew the manger, as I went to get towels I could feel his eyes looking me over to see if I had a limp.

We were gathering up the towels later in the afternoon when Quackenbush began a conversation.
"You never rowed did you"

"No, I never did"

"I rowed on the lightweight crew for two years, and wrestle in the winter. What are you doing in the winter?"

"I don't know something else."

"You're a senior aren't you?"
"Yeah."I said as he knew that I was a senior.
"Starting a little late to manage teams aren't you?"

"Am I?"
"Damn right you are!"He put conviction into this, pouncing on the first spring of assertiveness in me.

"Well it doesn't matter."

"Yes it matters"

"I don't think it does."
"Go to hell the hell are you anyway."

"You, Quackenbush, don't know anything about who I am.. or anything else."
"Listen here you maimed son-of-bitch.."
I slapped him hard across the face when he said that, something made me, I don't know what at that moment but it felt like he was talking to me as if I were maimed.

Quackenbush and I got into a fight and both ended up in the river and and caught me on the way back to my dorm talking to me about what the card games we played during the summer session and that I had a long distance call. He left the number by the phone on his desk. I thanked him and he went on his way as I went off towards his study.

I glanced at the number and it wasn't from my home town but one that got my heart beating faster. I dialed the number and let the operator do her routine, once she was done her voice was replaced by someone that's now closer than he was before.

"Happy first day of the academic year!"

"Thanks, thanks a lot, it's a- you sound- I'm glad to hear your-"
"Stop stuttering. I'm paying for this. Who're you rooming with?"

"Nobody. They didn't put anyone else in the room."
"Saving my place for me! Good old Devon. But anyways, you wouldn't have let them put anyone else in there, Would You?" His voice was full of worry and I couldn't help but smile.

"No, of course not Finny."

"I didn't think you would. Roommates are roommates. Even if they confess to one another,"He chuckled nervously a little.

"Don't worry Finny."

"Alright, but that''s um uh why I called to make sure we were still roommates and that you didn't replace me cause I had a doubt but I never you wouldn't so I had to make sure that you didn't.. I'm sorry had I had a doubt Gene.. Naturally, I was wrong and you didn't put anyone else in my spot."

"No, I didn't let them."

"I could shoot myself for thinking you might. I really knew you wouldn't."

"No, I wouldn't"

"And I spent my money on a long-distance call! All for nothing! Well not nothing.. I mean I called to hear your voice again and um.. see how you were and uh .. say that I still Love you.."
"Finny, I still love you too and I'm doing alright."

"Great! So how about sports. What are you doing for sports?"

"Crew, Well, not exactly crew. Managing crew. Assistant crew manager."

"Assistant crew manager!"

"I don't think I got the job..-"

"Assistant crew manager!"
"I got into a fight this after-"

"Assistant crew manager!" Finny's voice held so much dumbfoundment "You are crazy"

"What are you so worked up about? It's just crew.."

"What do you want to manage crew for? What do you want to manage for? What does that have do with sports?"
"I.. I don't have time. I'm to busy for sports.." Sports are finished for him and they are for me in a way as well.. I thought as I said that

"Listen pal, if I can't play sports you're going to play them for me!"
"Alright, I'll play them for you I guess.."I said with a sigh

We talked more ending it with an I love you and I love you too which left me flustered and smiling. I hung up the phone and sat back in the chair, waiting for my heart to stop fluttering and for my smile to fade. If this is the feeling I'll be getting when Finny is around. I think I 'll be able to handle it and like it even more when he comes back and maybe forget about what happened to him.