When writers fall in love

When He Remembers Middle Name

"I'm telling you, he was looking at no one else, but her, Fred!" Curtis couldn't stop talking about the recital the whole evening they were out with their friend Fred Stanford.

Fred, Will and Curtis were a well known trio in the town and the surrounding area. They were friends since childhood and there was no denying they would stay friends for a long time to come. Fred was the oldest one. He was going to be 23 next month. He was also the calmest and most mature of them all. However he could also get crazy like no one else.

"No I wasn't! You must have looked at me only when I was looking towards her direction, but not at her."

"Man, you were at the stage! I was looking at you the whole time!"

"Well then, you were looking wrong!"

"How in the heaven's and hell's sake can you possibly look wrong?! " they were practically yelling by now and Fred's eyes were jumping from one to another with the speed of light.

"I'm telling you, Curt, you are wrong. I would never stop paying attention to my reciting and poems for a girl. That's not gonna happen, ever. And if it does, kill me instantly please."

"Well, alright, in that case...Would you like to have your funeral tomorrow or the day after that?" Curtis asked smirking still.

"Very funny, Curt, really," sarcastically said Will and Curtis nodded and mouthed a thank you, "So, Fred, what's new with you, since you already know too much about me for today?"

"Well, actually, talking about girls, I have something to tell both of you," he started nervously.

"Man, you are starting off as you were going to die, or worse, marry," laughed Curtis and Will grinned at his joke, but Fred stayed quiet and lowered his eyes, "Fred, are you for real going to tell us what I'm thinking?"

"Well, technically... yes. I asked Susan's father for permission for her hand and he agreed. Now I just have to ask her."

"What!? Are you out of your poor mind?!" Curtis almost fell off the chair.

"Well, this is a surprise, Fred," said Will a little more sensitively, "you never told us you were even thinking about it."

"Well, can you blame me?" he grinned looking towards Curtis, but then started talking seriously again, "I love Susan. And guys, you are 21, I will soon be 23, we are not little boys anymore. Some men have their first children at our age already. So I thought it's about time to start thinking about settling down a bit, don't you think?"

"No way! I'm just starting my life! I will not commit a suicide by getting married!" Curtis exclaimed, but then he realised that Fred was going to do so, "No offense, Fred."

"None taken," he laughed, "Well, I'm quite different than you two. I want to have a family and someone to take care of and someone who will once take care of me. And I can't imagine anyone better than Susan to have that with."

"You sound like you just read a line from Jane Austen novel," stated Curtis unamused.

"That is quite true, I must say," Will smiled, "However... If that's what you want, than I support you, man. Not that I truly understand what you are talking about, but I am happy for you. If that's what you really want, then go and get it. Ask her and marry her. We all have different goals, don't we? Though, I have no idea, what Curtis's goal is," he smirked.

"Thank you, Will," Fred smiled gratefully. Then they both looked at Curtis who was staring at them in disbelief. They expected him to say something.

"Well, man," he stood up and came to him, "my condolences to you," he patted him on his shoulder with what might have seemed like a regret but they knew him well. They knew he was happy for Fred.

"Thanks, Curt," Fred smiled sincerely.

"Well, gentlemen, I will be on my way home now. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my office, or in other words, in my bed. If any lady asks my office hours stay unchanged. Always available," Curtis winked and stepped out of the Fred's house. They saw him walking down the road shaking his head still not believing what he just heard.

"Are you really against the marriage that much, Will?" Fred asked silently.

"Well, Fred, I firstly believe, that there will never be a girl that would make me wanna settle down. There is so much I haven't seen and done yet. But, hey, that's my point of view and my dreams. If you love Susan that much, than I'll be the first one wishing you luck at the wedding, Fred."

"Thank you," he smiled, "so... That girl Curtis talked about? Who is she?"

"Oh man," Will shook his head, "Curtis should learn how to shut up for once. I don't know much about her and I don't think I ever will. I only talked to her for a while today. She has just moved in..." he wanted to go on, but Fred jumped in.

"Wait, you have talked to her today? Like... you saw her, came to her and you two talked? "

"Yes, but it's only because I saw her in a park and it would not be polite to ignore her after yesterday," Will said. He decided to not mention the little detail that she didn't see him before he went to her.

"Well that is true, if of course it was the way you are telling me."

"Of course it was! Don't be such a Curtis about it. I only complemented her performance and I went home."

"Fine, I was just making sure. What's her name anyways?" asked Fred, because he knew Will never remembers the names of girls.

"Lucy Mae Morrison," he answered without a problem.

Even a middle name? Wow, Will, that girl must be something, thought Fred to himself.

I'm sorry for not posting for such a long time, school got me overwhelmed and I didn't have much motivation either. But now I'm back in all my powers!
Also sorry, that this chapter is a little shorter. It's a fill in and closer look on personalities of characters ❤️