As I left the restaurant, heading back home, my mind pondering if it was a good idea to follow Dmitri's advice and gain weight to attract a girl, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I looked at the screen and saw that it was an unknown number, but I answered it anyway.
"Hello?" I asked gingerly, unsure what to expect, which was common for me with unknown numbers.
"Hey there, Conrad, my boy!" came a thundering voice, which reminded me of Dmitri, that startled me a little, sounding very cheerful indeed, "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
It took me a few moments to register who I was talking to. "Zeb?" I exclaimed in surprise.
I could imagine him at this moment grinning at my surprise. "Yup, it's me, kid," he confirmed.
Zeb was one of my cousins from my mother's side of the family. I don't see him often, for he lived way up in a rural area in Alaska, but every time there's a family reunion he arrives unannounced, staying for a few hours, draining away all the beer and devouring the food, before being off again.
Though, I hardly couldn't blame him. Bordering on obesity, but being very strong and fit at the same time, Zeb had a lot to put away in his tank. But ten spite living far away and being five years older than me, him and I got very well along, and I almost could say that he was the closest thing to an older brother for me.
It was good to hear from him again, but I wondered why he was calling me and how he even got my number, so I asked him.
"Got it from your folks," Zeb explained, "I'm attending a hunter's convention that's happening in your region, so I asked your parents if I could stay with you for a while. It would really save my expenses of staying at a hotel."
"Okay, that sounds nice," said I, "When are you coming over?"
"O, in a few hours," he said, "I'm at the terminal right now."
"What!" I exclaimed.
"Sorry," he apologized, "I wanted to call you up much earlier, but a bunch things came up. Anyway, I have to go now. My flights leaving right now. Bye."
After he cut the line, I raced back home, getting everything ready for Zeb's arrival. I spent a good long time preparing our spare bedroom, and just when I was finished I heard the doorbell ring. I went to the door and opened it...