Chapter 2: Small World

Ephram sauntered down the long tiled halls of the General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee in search of the gate to his connecting flight to Denver. He checked his boarding pass for the gate number. It read D39. He leveraged his backpack on his shoulder and continued walking.

It was unthinkable that the time he spent in New York went by so quickly. He wished he were still there as opposed to heading "home." New York held many fond memories. Everwood held none. But he had made a promise to his father that he would return to the picturesque town after being granted this generous prolonged summer vacation. He remembered the sentimental good- byes with his grandparents when they dropped him off at La Guardia Airport in New York. The three of them were reduced to a blubbery mess by the time all the hugs and words were exchanged. He was already missing his grandparents terribly.

Why did Everwood have to be so far away? Ephram felt like he had moved to the other side of the world or better yet, to another planet. It was a place that was barren of friends, extended family, and familiar places. He was a true city boy. In the city, he could easily blend in with the crowd and remain anonymous. He could just fade into the pavement if he so desired. No one gave two cents what you did. It was called "keeping your nose clean." Mind your business and trouble won't start following you. Ephram never had a problem with it. He actually liked it this way. Small towns were tight-knit communities were everyone knew everyone else's business. If you got a new porch swing, the whole town's talking about it. If you got into an argument with your neighbor, everyone knew the details. If you got sick, everyone brings over homemade versions of their chicken soup. If your pet goldfish died, they knew how you disposed of it. If you picked your nose, they knew how big the booger was. News and gossip traveled at the speed of light. He hated the suffocation. He was not used to being examined like a specimen under a microscope. He wanted to disappear into the woodwork. He once heard a saying 'lost in the city - found in a small town.' It was vice versa for Ephram. He's never felt so lost in his entire life. And he was returning to that very place.

Ephram found his gate and proceeded into the waiting area of Midwest Airlines flight number 4. He scoped out the area. Aside for a few business types with cell phones permanently glued to their ears chatting away on important calls, it seemed pretty empty for midday. He remembered a time when airports used to be packed with travelers. 'Ah, I get the seat of my choice. How sweet,' he thought humorously looking around for a place to sit. He passed several rows of plastic chairs and took the sixth seat away from the window. All he had with him was his trusty backpack. He was what they called a "light traveler." There was no need for additional luggage since everything he needed was in New York. Besides, it was a hassle checking in baggage. He dropped his backpack onto the chair next to him. With plenty of time to kill before his flight, he plugged his headphones into his ears, closed his eyes, and zoned out. He was dead to the world when he had his music blasting in his ears. It didn't matter what he listened to - whether it was Snoop Dogg or Led Zeppelin, Celine Dion or Kenny G, Strauss or Pachelbel, Bocelli or Bolero, it was his way of escaping. He tuned the world out and let his spirit soar in music.

He must've been zoned out for quite some time because when he re-opened his eyes, he found the scenery had changed quite a bit. There were a few more people walking about in the hall - probably from an arriving flight nearby. The hum of conversation had increased along with the thudding of rolling suitcases pulled by vacationers and business people alike. The giggling and whining of restless children were heard somewhere but not seen. He lowered the volume on his MP3 player and gazed at the large blue sign above the courtesy desk - "Flight 4 to Denver departing 3:25pm." It was depressing just looking at it. His heart ached to be back in the city that never sleeps. Then his gaze found it's way to an interesting subject.

He noticed a girl sitting in the seat adjacent to him. She wore khaki clam- digger pants and a slim olive tank top with the letters "S.N.A.F.U." printed in white stencil on the front. Her luggage consisted of a small, wheeled upright carry-on. Apparently, she was traveling by herself since Ephram hadn't noticed anyone else with her. She had long jet-black hair with a few streaks of red highlights and appeared to be the same age as Ephram. She sat with her left ankle under her right knee exhibiting her clean gray Sketcher sneakers. Slouching forward with elbows on her knees, she was completely engulfed in the book in her hands. On her lap was a big bag of strawberry Twizzlers. Whatever she was reading must've been very deep since she had not looked up once. She nibbled slowly on a Twizzler with her nose buried in the book.

Ephram tilted his head for a glimpse at the book title. It read "Franz Kafka - The Sons." He raised an impressive eye.

"You know, you might turn into a giraffe with all that neck stretching." The girl said without looking up from her book.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to stare." Ephram reddened. He removed his earplugs.

"You've been staring for quite some time now." She remarked. "Kafka." She said raising her book so the front cover was visible.

"So I see. Which one are you on?" Ephram asked. The girl had an exotic face. A face that was both beautiful and mysterious at the same time. It captivated Ephram tremendously. She reminded him of a wildcat.

"Finished 'The Stoker' and almost done with 'The Metamorphosis'." She replied. "Know anything 'bout Kafka?" She asked.

"Maybe." Ephram's eyes danced.

"What's your take on Gregor's transformation?" She challenged.

"Well, I think alienation plays a good part in it. If you noticed, the guy never leaves his room at all. By locking himself up in his room, he distances himself from other human beings. Gregor set barriers between himself and those around him including his family. He's totally isolated from all human contact. He's alienated from his job, family, humanity and life in general. Sometimes, kinda like me. Gregor's so caught up in his solitude that he doesn't even realize he's turned into a roach." He stated as the girl listened attentively.

"An insect. Not necessarily a roach." She corrected. "Twizzler?" She offered him the bag. Ephram leaned forward and took a few sticks.

"Ah, but coming from a New Yorker, it's considered a roach." He said with a smile. "Anyway, did you check out the way his family treated him when he couldn't support them anymore? They neglected him and treated him like dirt. Gregor tried so desperately to rebuild his self-identity he lost by living entirely for the sole purpose of others. So much that he ignored his own needs." He explained while chewing on a Twizzler.

"It's like the story with my dad. Being a doctor, he's spent his whole life performing miracles for strangers, when meanwhile he doesn't even know he neglected the most important part of his life - his kids." Ephram blurted. 'Good going, Brown. Try to impress the girl by boring the hell out of her with your personal problems.' He thought to himself wishing he could take back what he said.

He was about to apologize when the girl cut him off. "No, it's ok. I understand where you're coming from. I agree with you on dehumanization. But I see the change as a form of escapism. The poor guy had so much expected of him. His job was priority and like you said - when he wasn't capable of going to work and supplying an income for his family, they resented him. It was like a prison. In a way, his room was his prison. So, he turns into a bug to escape from reality. He dreaded everyday life being enslaved by his job and by his family. He did things out of necessity not desire. If he had his way, he could just quit his job and be free. It's like that Queen song - I Want To Break Free. How does it go?" The girl racked her brain for the words. "I want to break free from your lies, you're so self-satisfied, I don't need you." She recited.

"I don't want to live alone. Oh, God knows, I've got to make it on my own. So baby, can't you see, I've got to break free." Ephram half sang and half recited the verse.

"You know it!" The girl squealed in surprise as Ephram blushed. "Yea, sometimes I wish I can break free too. I always feel things are holding me back." She continued.

"I hear ya. It's like I'm living in a castle surrounded by a moat with alligators swimming around snapping their jaws at me every time I attempt to step over." Ephram sighed sympathetically.

"I know exactly what you mean. Maybe we have a lot more in common than we think!" She declared with a coy grin. "What's your name?"

"It's Ephram. Ephram Brown." He said holding out a hand for a handshake. "I know what you're thinking. You're probably thinking my dumb-ass name sounds a sneeze. Am I right?" He added seeing the girl's quizzical facial expression as he said his name.

"No." She snickered. "I was going for unique and original. Word of advice - never try to guess what a girl's thinking." She shook his hand. "The name's Juliana Lee. Friends call me Jewels - as in diamonds, rubies, precious gems, that sort of thing."

"What a coincidence. My mom's name was Julia." He said.

"Was?"

"She died in a car wreck about two years ago."

"Hey, I'm sorry."

"It's ok. So, can I ask you a question?" He said changing the subject. She nodded. "On your shirt, what does the letters S, N, A, F, U stand for?" He asked pointing to her tank top.

"Oh! Don't you know? It's military lingo. Stands for Situation Normal All Fucked Up. It's the complete meaning of my life. Just when you think you've got it good, life throws you a curveball and then the shit really hits the fan. It's depressing. But I don't want to bore you with my complicated problems." She said.

"I'm beginning to like you already!! I need one of those shirts. That describes my life perfectly too." He joked.

"I guess we've both got a little bit of Gregor Samsa in us." Jewels marveled. "Where ya headed?"

"Connecting flight to Denver. You?"

"Connecting flight to Kansas City." She thumbed the neighboring gate. "So, what's in Denver?"

"Home."

"You live in Denver?"

"Not exactly. I live in a small town a few hours away from Denver. I'll bet you've never heard of it. It's not even on the map. The place is called Everwood."

"Ha, you'd be surprised. I know where Everwood is. It's just a couple miles from Chestnut Point." She laughed. "I've visited Everwood before."

"You have?!" Ephram exclaimed. "Wow. You're the first person I've met that have actually been to the place!!"

"Yea well, don't get all excited. We were just passing thru. Stopped for gas. That was it. Nice cozy little town."

"Where you from?" Ephram inquired.

"New York. Can't you tell?" She smirked. Ephram felt as though he had found his soul mate.

"New York?! Really? So am I." Ephram squealed. "What borough?"

"Brooklyn - Mill Basin area."

"Manhattan." He said proudly. "Upper West Side."

"Ah! Rich kid. Should've known." She kidded.

"You live in Kansas City?"

"No, just visiting an aunt. It's a funny thing because she lives in Kansas and her first name's Margaret. So naturally, I call her aunty M, but as in the letter. I think she's destined to live in Kansas." She chuckled. "But MY home is in New York. There's no place like home. No pun intended."

"Right. I was visiting my grandparents in New York and now I have to go back to the middle of nowhere. I don't care what my dad says, I'm coming back to New York for the holidays."

"Hey, if you're ever in the neighborhood again, look me up. Maybe we can hang out. See a show or go rollerblading or something." Jewels suggested nonchalantly. "Why do you look so surprised? Is it so unnatural for a girl to ask a guy out?" She said after noticing the astonished look on his face.

"Oh, no. Uh. Not at all." Ephram stammered. "I'm just shocked that someone so smart and cool would want to hang out with boring ol' me."

Ephram was ecstatic with joy. She's intelligent, gutsy and tough as nails. Mix in a pinch of New York attitude, and you've got Jewels. Jewels was definitely different than other girls. She wasn't fluffy at all. He liked the fact that she's fearless. There was also something enigmatic about her - something mystique and worth exploring. He wanted to understand her but she was like a jigsaw puzzle - only revealing small bits and pieces at a time. She was not an open book.

"Flatterer." She teased. "You're not boring. You're intriguingly cryptic. I like that. And you've passed my coolness monitor with flying colors. Man, you don't give yourself enough credit."

"Ladies and gentlemen, Flight 12 to Kansas City is now boarding. Those of you in seats 10 and higher may board the plane. Please have your boarding passes and ID cards handy. Thank you." A woman announced professionally over the PA.

"Oh, that's my flight." Jewels said gathering her things. "So, do I take it as a yes?" She questioned Ephram.

"Yea - of course!" He confirmed. 'Dorkus, don't screw this up. Ask for her phone number,' Ephram thought while trying to muster up the courage to ask.

"Good! Here is my email address and cell phone number." She spoke as she scribbled away on the first page of her Kafka book. "My aunt doesn't own a computer, so I won't be able to check email until I get back to New York, which would be in 3 weeks. But call me any time on the cell." She tore the page out of the binding and handed it to Ephram along with her pen. "Now, I don't give without getting something in return." She smiled.

Ephram carefully tore the piece of paper in half and jot down his info. He tried to make his writing as readable as possible since he was known for his messy penmanship. He handed the paper and pen back to Jewels. She read it approvingly and slipped it between the pages of her book.

"It was really nice meeting you, Juliana." Ephram said as he stood up.

"It's Jewels. We're friends now. Call me Jewels. Only teachers call me by my full name." She laughed.

"OK, Jewels then. It was nice talking to you." Ephram grinned. "Have a good flight."

"Listen, I know what it's like to feel hopeless 'n lonely out there all on your own. Ya think no one understands, but there is life beyond the bubble. The world is a bigger place when you know you have a friend." Jewels said eyeing Ephram as she fumbled with her boarding pass. "Call me anytime. No, I take that back. Ephram, I'm gonna expect you to call me. A girl like me don't take no for an answer." She poked him in the shoulder playfully.

"I will." He said. How could someone whom he's only known for one hour understand him so well? Was he that obvious? Or was she just good at figuring people out? He felt a connection with this girl.

"Well, I'm off. See ya 'round!" She started pulling her rolling suitcase.

"Jewels!" Ephram said as she turned around. "I'll call you. I promise."

"Sure. Keep in touch and take care!" Jewels smiled back.

Ephram watched her disappear into the exit. He sank into his seat and stared at the piece of paper Jewels had given to him. His lips were smiling so much his face hurt. He was no longer depressed. Things were starting to look up.

* end of chapter 2 *