I was ready. Ready for anything.

Anything but him answering his phone.

I'd heard what they said about him, but couldn't believe it. I had to know.

I had a speech planned for his voicemail: "They were wrong," I'd begin in a forlorn, but deliciously raspy voice. "You are a brilliant actor. You fooled us all until the very end."

But it didn't work out that way. No, I called him, and he answered.

I cautiously explained why exactly I was calling. His voice was slow and steady. "You know me. I was kidding around..."
Yeah. I know him... I think