When Fi, Annie, Jack, and Clu
re-boarded the bus, they were quite surprised to find that both
Molly and the poem beneath her had mysteriously disappeared.
Collectively, they supposed the mystery had either been
solved or would remain a mystery forever, and retreated to their
respective quarters.
"So," Fi said. "Did you really think Jack
was in love with you like that?"
"It's all his fault," Annie muttered, and
refused to say another word about it.
Meanwhile, Jack was lying on his side pretending to be asleep
when Clu tapped him on the shoulder. "About today,
man," he said. "I just wanted to let you know
that it didn't freak me out or anything when you said... you
know, that you thought it was me."
Jack smiled and sat up. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah, dude. I totally support you in whatever
lifestyle you've become accustomed to and all."
This was not quite what he had expected. "Oh?" he
said warily.
"Yeah. I'm sure you'll find the right guy one
day," Clu said with a warm, oblivious smile. Jack
sighed and returned to the fetal position.
"Yeah, I'm sure I will," he sighed, and pretended to be
asleep.
Fi and Clu nearly ran into each other sneaking into the hallway
at the same time.
"So," said Fi. "I guess that mystery is
going to stay unsolved for now."
"Yeah," Clu laughed. "Maybe you can put
something on your website about it."
"Look, I just wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry that
it wasn't me who wrote the poem. To you, I mean," Fi
said.
"Oh, I didn't really think--"
"I know what you thought," she smiled. "And
it's okay."
"Really?" he said with an expectant smile.
"I'm sure you'll find the right girl someday," she said
assuringly.
"Oh. Yeah. I'm sure I will." She
patted him on the shoulder with a sweet smile and returned to her
room.
As she lay in bed that night, it occurred to her that she had
forgotten one very real possibility. What if he had written
the poem for her? The very thought made her smile with an
inappropriate amount of joy... she made a note to confront him
about it in the morning. Where did he go, anyway?
