Structure
The short story “Call If You Need Me” by Raymond Carver is structured around a few days in the life of a couple on the verge of getting a divorce. Both Dan and Nancy have had affairs with other people and their stay away from the rest of the world for a few days makes them understand that they do not belong together anymore.
The story follows a traditional plot structure, with an exposition, a rising action, a climax, a falling action, and a resolution. However, the plot of the story does not rely on an open, explicit conflict between the spouses but on an inner, hidden conflict.
Title
The title of the short story is ambiguous, as the phrase “Call if you need me” is not found anywhere in the text. However, the title refers to the theme of communication that runs throughout the short story. For example, at the end of the story Dan and Nancy discuss writing to each other:
'Write me, will you?' I said. 'I didn't think it would happen to us,' I said. 'All those years. I never thought so for a minute. Not us.'
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Beginning
The exposition of the story is very straightforward and directly presents the deteriorating state of Dan and Nancy’s relationship:
We had both been involved with other people that spring, but when June came and school was out we decided to let our house for the summer and move from Palo Alto to the north coast country of California. (ll. 1-4)
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Middle
The rising action presents Dan and Nancy’s stay in Eureka. On their way, they see a hummingbird and interpret it as a favorable sign for their relationship:
'Now that's a good sign, I think,' I said. 'Hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are supposed to bring luck.'
'I've heard that somewhere,' she said. 'I don't know where I heard that, but I've heard it. Well,' she said, 'luck is what we could use. Wouldn't you say?' (ll. 122-126)
Their first days in Eureka seem to meet their positive expectations. They take trips around the area and they even discuss the future, hoping to get a dog once they return home: “ 'And after we go back, after summer's over?' I said. I rephrased the question. 'What about keeping a dog in the city?' ” (ll. 176-177)
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Ending
The falling action presents Nancy and Dan parting ways at the airport the following day, after their decision to separate. They part ways amiably and they sincerely regret that they could not make their relationship work:
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