THE PHONE CALL

“Hi Bud, this is Fran Hyde, Denise's mom,” the voice on the other end of the line said.

Denise was our daughter's best friend, but we don't socialize much with her parents. We've visited their house for an outdoor barbeque, and they've been over for dinner once. We didn't have a lot in common with them. My wife, Julie, is an elementary school nurse and I'm a junior high school coach and history teacher. Denise's mother is the public relations person for the arts council, and her father is a writer for a local magazine and freelance photographer.

I'm not comfortable around him, and I don't think that he feels comfortable around me. He's a Cowboys fan, but pro football is the only sport he's interested in. Me, I'm into all sports on all levels. I coach footbal