Mercedez BarraganENG113Professor RenfroEssay #4 (final)Friends ForeverSo much can change in twenty years. Is anyone really willing to stick with a commitment that long? This short story After Twenty Years by O. Henry can be enjoyed by all audiences because of its crime and suspense stories. It was written between 1902 and 1905; which affects the setting and plot of the story. This short story expresses a twenty-year commitment between two good old friends. This story appealed to me because of the conflict between friendship and each person's moral duty to their career. The story takes place around eight o'clock in the afternoon, on a dark and windy night in New York. The plot begins with a policeman driving down New York City's Commercial Avenue, looking for trouble and making sure everything is secure. The police officer comes across a stranger standing in front of a dark hardware store, an unlit cigar in his mouth. The man quickly spoke to the police officer. The man, named Bob, explains to the police officer that he is patiently waiting for a friend whom he must meet at 10 p.m. “It’s an appointment made twenty years ago. This seems a bit funny to you, doesn't it? » He and his friend Jimmy Wells separated exactly twenty years ago due to different career paths. Bob moved west to Chicago for his career and Jimmy stayed in New York. The two friends had promised each other that whatever happened, they would meet at the exact same place and at the same time, twenty years later, to meet again. “That looks rather interesting,” the policeman said. “But it seems to me that there is a fairly long interval between meetings. Haven't you heard from your friend since you left? » Bob replied that they had lost touch, but if Jimmy... middle of paper ...... the person is (family, sister), friend, uncle), everyone should serve their sentence for his crime. I believe Jimmy saved himself and his community as well. He saved himself by not pursuing the friendship. If anyone had found out, Jimmy could have served time in prison for not reporting him. He also saved his community by keeping the streets safe and eliminating crime. In conclusion, you may think you know someone, but people can and do change, whether we like them to or not. Jimmy's choice to choose his moral duty over his friendship is the best possible choice that any good, loyal person would make. This shows how strong Jimmy is to overcome his long friendship and to save his community and himself. When it comes to choosing what is the right, true and honorable thing to do, making your decision on how you think you should do it is what is most important..