Write a story about two people who can’t reach each other. It took me a few days to be inspired for this prompt. The obvious choice was a couple in love, but that felt to cliché. I just started writing and finally the story came together.
Frank and Ben were college roommates years ago. They now live in different states but had bonded over their love of fishing and camping. During their last year of school, they even took a trip to go fishing for spring break rather than going south as typical. As their lives got busy it was harder to keep in touch. Finally, Frank decides that this time there will be an actual trip planned.
Frank calls Ben- March 20, 2017-Voicemail 10:14am
Hey Ben, it’s Frank, it’s been a while. I have been thinking about taking a trip to see you. Let me know if you’re interested. Talk to you soon.
Ben calls Frank- March 20, 2017-Voicemail 2:45pm
Whoa Frank. Good to hear from you. I would love to meet up. Why don’t we try for a long weekend and go fishing. Call me back, bye.
Frank calls Ben- March 31, 2017- Voicemail 2:30pm
A long weekend of camping and fishing are a great idea. What weekend would work best for you. I can do it any weekend this summer. Let me know what weekend works for you.
Ben calls Frank- April 7, 2017- Voicemail 11:51am
Yay long weekend. How about mid-August. It’s between the two holidays. We will be able to get a good spot. I was thinking about that lake near our old school. The fish are always biting in late summer. If the fish don’t bite, then the restaurants in that area aren’t too unreasonable we could eat there. I’m looking at sites and we could do a couple of different weekends for about a hundred bucks. If you have another idea let me know. Bye.
Frank calls Ben- April 11, 2017- Voicemail 5:40pm
That is the perfect spot. I love it. I can do August 17-21. If that works for you call me, I’ll put my time off and you can book the site. I’ll give you my share when we meet up or something. I can’t wait to have some time to get away.
Ben calls Frank- April 14, 2017- Voicemail 7:45pm
Camp site is booked; vacation is in. Go ahead and submit your time off. How about we each be responsible for our own camping and fishing gear. We will call each other with other questions. I sent all the confirmation emails to you as well. See you in August.
The next couple of months the friends go back and forth communicating what they are bringing without ever talking.
Ben calls Frank- August 16, 2017- Voicemail 9:47am
Tag your it again. I’m all set to go in the morning. I’ll meet you at the park office at about three pm. See you tomorrow.
Frank calls Ben-August 16,2017- Voicemail 9:47 pm
Hey, I’m taking off at about ten in the morning. I should be there about three also. Get ready to fish! See you there.
As the two men greet each other at the park office they joke about how they managed to plan a camping trip without ever talking to each other. Throughout the weekend both men have a good laugh when neither of their wives answer their phones during check ins.
A Writer's Starting Line 
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