For the next few days I found myself putting my hand in my pocket, searching for Swirly, and avoiding the marble field. Slowly, however, the cravings decreased, and soon, I’d almost forgotten her.
Besides, I had Amy now. I didn’t have room for two women in my life. Okay, Swirly wasn’t actually a woman, she was a marble, I understood that, of course I did but . . . you know what I mean.
Amy had said that part of the reason she’d picked me was because of my marble, so now that it was gone, I had to make even more sure I was a good boyfriend, or else she might replace me.
So what would a good boyfriend do? They’d probably call their girlfriend on the weekend. It wasn’t as good as going for a long walk along the beach, but it was a lot easier. And if Amy was going to be my girlfriend, I had to get to know her better. I didn’t even know what her favourite colour was!
Mum had a contact list for all the kids in my class on the fridge so that every second afternoon she could pretend to notice it and say, ‘Oh, look, Samuel. There’s that list of all the telephone numbers of everyone in your class. Maybe you should invite someone over for a play? Shall we do that? Invite someone over for a play? Hmm?’
I found Amy’s landline and picked up the phone. But then I got scared – what if I couldn’t think of anything to say?
I decided to make a list of conversation topics.
CONVERSATION TOPICS FOR PHONE CALL #1 WITH AMY
Spiderman, obviously, because he has superpowers, whereas Batman’s just a rich guy in a cape. But Amy might have a different opinion, and we might be able to have an ‘Interesting Discussion’ about it.
But was Amy even interested in superheroes? Maybe she was interested in Wonder Woman. What did I know about Wonder Woman? She had a magic something. Earring? Hairband? Lasso! That was it. Maybe I could start with: ‘Hey wouldn’t it be cool to have a magic lasso like Wonder Woman?’
Lame.
Forget superheroes. Instead, I made a list of things I thought girls my age might be interested in, but I was just kind of guessing from stuff I’d seen on TV or at the movies.
CONVERSATION TOPICS FOR PHONE CALL #1 WITH AMY
I put the last one in because I wanted Amy to think that, sure, I was funny and entertaining, but I also had a serious side.
I looked over my list, took a deep breath and dialled.
FEMALE VOICE: Hello?
SAM: HellolwaswonderingifIcouldspeaktoAmyplease.Ot’sSamhere.
FEMALE VOICE: Can you slow down? I can’t understand a word you’re saying.
SAM: Sorry. (TAKES BIG BREATH) Can I speak to Amy, please? It’s Sam.
FEMALE VOICE: I’ll get her. (OFF) Amy. Phone. It’s a nervous boy with a high-pitched voice.
AMY: Hello?
SAM: (TRIES TO MAKE VOICE DEEP AND COOL) Hey, Aim.
AMY: It’s Amy. Not Aim. Who’s this?
SAM: Sam.
AMY: Sam?
SAM: From school.
AMY: (SUSPICIOUSLY) What do you want?
SAM: (LOOKS AT HIS LIST) So . . . umm . . . Ponies. Awesome or overrated?
AMY: What?
SAM: Ponies. What do you think? And shopping for clothes. What’s with parents always coming with us? Wouldn’t it be better if they just gave us the money and dropped us off at the shops?
AMY: I . . . guess . . .
SAM: But I also think climate change is a serious issue and we need to take action.
AMY: Why did you call me?
SAM: You know. Just to chat because . . .
AMY: Because what?
SAM: Because . . . (DEEP BREATH) you’re my girlfriend. (LONG SILENCE)
AMY: That’s really just a school thing. So everyone will think I’m cool.
SAM: (PAUSE) Oh.
AMY: I thought you got that. (OFF, WHISPERING) Mum, can you call me?
FEMALE VOICE: (OFF) What?
AMY: (OFF, WHISPERING) Just call me!
FEMALE VOICE: (OFF) Oh! Right. Umm . . .
Amy! Can you help me . . . umm . . . move the . . . cupboard?
AMY: Sure, Mum. Sorry. Gotta go. (HANGS UP)
SAM: Wait! What’s your favourite colour?
It hadn’t gone go as well as I’d hoped, but at least we’d talked and I’d managed to mention climate change. It was bound to be awkward at first. Things would get easier once we knew each other’s favourite colour.