I got together with Barney after the weekend. He had fun on his weekend visit, he told me. I found that a good thing.
"Andy, did I miss out on anything when I was gone?" Barney asked.
"Not much, but there is something I'd like to tell you."
"What's that?"
"Aunt Bee told me I have a visitor coming out for the fourth," I answered.
"Did she say who?"
"No, but all she said was the visitor is a surprise."
"I wonder who it can be. Did you try asking her who?"
"Yes, but she won't give me any hints and said I can't guess."
"That's a bummer, Andy. Did she say I can know about it?"
"She did, but she's worried that you would tell me."
Barney isn't very good at keeping secrets, let me tell you. He's more on the share this now type of person, so it gives you a good idea what he's like about keeping secrets and surprises.
"Did I miss anything else?"
"No, Barney," I answered.
"I thought I did."
"No," I said again.
"What did Aunt Bee say about doing something on the fourth of next month?"
"Really didn't say anything. I guess that's up to the guest that's coming out to visit Mayberry."
"That makes sense. I'd like to meet whoever the person is."
"Not sure if there will be time for that, Barney. Aunt Bee didn't say how long the guest will be here."
"I agree with that. Did she give out any other hints about the person?"
"No," I said for the third time in a row.
"I see. Still, I'd like to figure this one out."
"So would I, Barney. Maybe we can do this together."
"Sounds like a mystery this time to me," Barney replied.
"I understand. Maybe it could be somebody we might or might know," I agreed.
"I bet. I can do my best and see what this is all about."
"Good luck, Barney. If you have anything, you can tell me."
"I plan to. Maybe this could be a new person that she's never told us about," Barney guessed.
"Since she's not telling, I'll have to agree with you."
"I thought so. Did she say she'll have pictures of the visitor before he or she comes out here to Mayberry?"
I shook my head and answered, "No."
"That's not much we can do about with the answer as no," Barney told me.
"I know. We'll find out sooner or later."
"True. How would you like to come over to my house?"
"I'll go. But first let me tell Aunt Bee."
Barney waited outside of the house while I went in to tell Aunt Bee.
"Barney's welcome to stay here for a while, Andy," she told me.
"I know. I haven't been to Barney's place for a while. Maybe next time," I said.
"Okay. You be home before three – thirty. You need to do your chores."
"Fine with me."
I usually am not a complainer when it comes to chores, but we all have to do them, like it or not.
I went through the front door once again.
"That didn't take long. Did Aunt Bee say it was okay?"
"Of course, she did. I have to do my chores when I come back," I replied.
"Those aren't fun," Barney said.
"I know, but they need to be done."
He agreed with me again. We took my car since he walked over.
"You don't need to bring your car, Andy. I'm not very far from you."
I listened to what Barney had just told me and locked the doors again.
"Sorry, Barney. This surprise visitor has been on my mind since Aunt Bee told me about it. I just haven't been thinking straight lately because of that."
"I understand, Andy. Just keep talking Aunt Bee into giving you any more hints."
"She won't. This is all we know," I told him.
"True. Would you tell me once the surprise comes? I want to see for myself."
"I plan to tell you, Barney. Maybe this guest is local," I guessed as I followed Barney.
"Maybe, but I haven't given that much thought, but you can be right."
"I hope I'm right," I agreed.
The entire time I was at Barney's house, all we did was talk about other things and ate a few snacks.
Then 3:30 came, and I said good – bye and he offered to walk me home.
"Sure, you can walk with me if you want to. I'd like the company."
"Good. Just call me when the visitor gets here."
"I will. It's not too far from now."
"I know."
He walked me to the front door and then I went to do my chores like Aunt Bee asked me to.