Chapter 10
Shaun left the locker room in his regular clothes and carried his backpack. As he walked towards the elevator, he saw Dr. Glassman turned around. Shaun immediately turned around and walked down the hall, and took the stairs. As Shaun exited the stairwell, he took a sigh of relief.
"Shaun," he heard a voice say.
Shaun turned around to see Claire.
"Hello Claire," Shaun said.
Claire handed Shaun his phone.
"You dropped this again," Claire said.
"Thank you," Shaun said.
"You're welcome," Claire said.
Shaun gave Claire a hug.
"See you tomorrow," Shaun said.
Shaun walked off and Claire was surprised.
"Shaun just hugged me," Claire said out loud to herself.
Shaun walked towards the exit. As he passed the elevator, the doors opened and Dr. Glassman exited the elevator. Shaun kept walking.
"Shaun," Dr. Glassman said. "I need to talk to you."
Shaun stopped and turned around and Dr. Glassman walked over to him.
"How was work today?" Dr. Glassman asked.
"It was good," Shaun replied. "I'm going home."
"I'm sorry I got in your face yesterday," Dr. Glassman said. "That wasn't the proper way to help you deal with your emotions."
"I really don't want to talk about it," Shaun said.
"Okay," Dr. Glassman said. "I will respect that."
"Thank you," Shaun said.
"Goodbye Shaun," Dr. Glassman said.
"Bye Dr. Glassman," Shaun said.
Dr. Glassman watched as Shaun began walking towards the door. Suddenly, Shaun turned around with tears in his eyes. He then walked over to Dr. Glassman, hugged him tightly, and broke down once more.
"It's okay Shaun," Dr. Glassman softly. "Let it out."
"He's gone," Shaun sobbed. "He's never coming back."
Claire walked over and watched them from a distance.
"I miss him so much," Shaun sobbed.
"I know you do," Dr. Glassman said softly.
"It hurts so bad," Shaun sobbed.
"Just let it out," Dr. Glassman said. "It's going to be okay."
Later, Shaun arrived home to see Lea waiting by his door.
"Hello Lea," Shaun said.
"Hi Shaun," Lea said. "I have bad news."
"What is it?" Shaun asked.
"My friend took the tickets back because she and her new boyfriend decided they wanted to go," Lea said. "So no Finding Neverland on Sunday."
"That's fine," Shaun said. "You smell like bubblegum."
"Um, thank you?" Lea asked.
"I like bubblegum," Shaun said.
"I like bubblegum too," Lea said.
"Follow me," Shaun said.
"Where are we going?" Lea asked.
"You'll see," Shaun said.
"Okay," Lea said.
Lea followed Shaun down the stairs and out of the apartment building. They walked a few blocks before coming to a performing arts theatre.
"Shaun," Lea said. "I just told you I had to give the tickets back to my friend. There aren't anymore tickets to Finding Neverland."
"Finding Neverland isn't playing tonight," Shaun said. "I looked it up. They're having a symphony tonight. Tickets are only $9."
"Really?" Lea asked.
"It's a children's symphony, but who says adults can't enjoy it?" Shaun asked.
"I love symphonies," Lea said.
Shaun and Lea went into the theatre and Shaun purchased the tickets. As they walked into the lobby, they discovered several areas where people could play with instruments.
"Wow," Lea said. "I want to play the trumpet."
Lea and Shaun walked over to one of the stations. Lea took a trumpet and attempted to play it.
"You are very terrible at that," Shaun said.
"Thank you," Lea said sarcastically.
"You are being sarcastic," Shaun said.
Lea took a cleaning cloth and wiped off the mouthpiece.
"Here," Lea said handing the trumpet to Shaun. "You try."
"That trumpet has not been properly disinfected," Shaun said. "It still carries a lot of germs."
"Fine," Lea said sitting the trumpet down. "At least play one instrument."
Lea pointed over at the percussion station.
"Play that xylophone," Lea said.
Shaun walked over to the instrument and examined it.
"This is a marimba, not a xylophone," Shaun said. "They are both types of idiophones, but a marimba is more resonant and has a lower-pitched tessitura than a xylophone."
"Okay Mr. Smarty Pants," Lea said laughing. "Play the marimba."
Shaun took the marimba mallets and began to play. Lea was surprised.
"Wow Shaun," Lea said. "That's pretty good."
"Thank you Lea," Shaun said. "I learned to play in high school."
"Attention," an automated voice announced on the intercom system. "The show will begin in five minutes. Please make way to your seats."
Shaun and Lea entered the auditorium and picked out a pair of seats not too close, but not too far from the stage. Where they sat, they could see the whole stage.
"You ready?" Lea asked.
"Yes," Shaun said.
Shaun and Lea watched the concert. Lea periodically looked over at Shaun, and was happy to see the amazed look on his face. Lea herself enjoyed the concert as well.
After the concert, Shaun and Lea stood up.
"That was amazing," Shaun said.
"I enjoyed it too," Lea said. "Even though we don't get to see Finding Neverland, I'm so happy we got to see the orchestra."
Shaun looked over to see the conductor talking to a group of people.
"Hey," Lea said. "Let's meet the conductor."
"Okay," Shaun said.
After meeting the conductor, Shaun and Lea began walking back toward the apartment.
"I've had a lot of fun tonight Shaun Murphy," Lea said. "We should do this again sometime."
"Okay," Shaun said.
"Shaun?" Lea asked.
"Yes Lea?" Shaun asked.
"Can I give you a hug?" Lea asked.
"Yes," Shaun replied. "You're the only person I like to be hugged by."
Lea and Shaun shared a hug.
"Okay," Lea said yawning. "We'd best be getting home. I'm so tired. I have to work in the morning."
"Me too," Shaun said.