"Heads up!"
Startled, Roy looked up and barely avoided a collision with Ed Marlowe. The young lineman was eager about most things. That included his upcoming service in Vietnam.
"Sorry, Ed."
Ed smiled. "Don't worry about it, Roy," he said. "You OK?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure?" Ed was skeptical. "You seem far away."
Roy had a half-smile. "I guess I was somewhere else."
"Vietnam?" Ed looked worried.
Roy sought to reassure him. "No, not at all." He knew the young man was concerned about his future tour of duty. "Just some personal stuff."
"Can I help?"
Roy gave him a small smile. "No. Thanks, Ed."
He passed Ed and caught up with Deke in the kitchen.
"Coffee's on," Deke told Roy. "Say, you doing anything tomorrow night?"
"No, nothing particular," Roy said. "Why?"
"Susan and I have a movie ticket we can't use."
"How come?"
Deke smiled. "Because it's only one ticket."
"Oh. What's the movie?"
"Well, it's a sneak preview of something that's coming out at the end of the year. It's called 'The Graduate.'"
Roy frowned. "What's it about?"
"Well, it's a sneak preview, so they don't let much out," Deke said. He grinned. "It's a free ticket, though."
"Yeah, I suppose."
Deke gave Roy his coffee. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Deke."
"Sure there is." Deke looked closely at Roy. "You're still moping over Joanne."
"I'm not moping."
Deke patted Roy's back. "Hey, maybe you'll meet someone else at the movie."
As he walked off, Roy thought. I don't want someone else. Just Joanne.
