No matter where Derrick Phelps was in the world, he would find him.
Whether he was in Sacramento, Rockford, Germany, France, Poland, Russia, Romania or the Netherlands, the phone would ring and the distinctive, gravelly voice on the other end quickly transported Phelps back to simpler times in his home borough of Queens or Chapel Hill.
The conversations, much like a parent checking in with their children, lasted just long enough to chat about all of the important things – health, family and career – while leaving a little time for a story or two.