So the plan was simple:

Call her house, leave a message on the answering machine.

I had the message all written out so I wouldn't freeze up by the time I was supposed to say something.

So I call at about 8:40.

And her father (I think) picks up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello? May I speak to Grace?"

Turns out she was in her pool. So I ask if today was her birthday, and yes it is. "Does she need to call you back?"

I told him not really, just tell her that I called.

And he asked me for my name, and I thanked him.

and that was that.

Nothing ever works out as planned.

Which is a good thing, because it always turns out better.

Danny