Chapter Seven: Much Ado About Price
A/N: Forgive the delay. I've been fighting a nasty cold, fighting a nasty writer's block, fighting to keep sane at work and at home... *sigh* but, anyway...
Wow! Huh, maybe I should just purge and listen to Nickelback more often when writing... I can't thank each and everyone of you for your reviews! Y'know, work is good for one thing, I can completely zone out and think up how to make my chapters even better. I had at first mapped out how everything was going to turn out, but I keep on getting newer and even better ideas on how to basically tell this story. Especially now as I've finally figured out a way to keep this story interesting.
JoA~~JoA~~JoA
Much of the walk home was spent in content silence. It was something that Joan never knew she could enjoy. Then again, she was spending such quiet contentment with Adam Rove, someone whose company she had sorely missed these past few weeks. Now, walking home with him, hanging on his arm, Joan realized she had never felt so safe... so at peace.. so normal. From afar, a total stranger would mistake them for a young couple completely in love. That thought had crossed Joan's mind and she couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Mainly because a part of herself wanted the "young couple" image to be true...
"So," Adam glanced at her, breaking Joan's current train of thought, "What're you doing tomorrow?"
Joan looked over at Adam, then turned her attention towards the ground. With hesitation, "Well... since there's no school, I guess there's no need for me to wake up earlier than any normal adolescent should. At least, that's the excuse I'll be giving my mom."
A chuckle escaped his lips as Joan continued, "Other than that, I'll probably avoid doing any of the two C's." He gave her a curious look, which she further explained, "Avoid doing any chores and anything constructive."
"Unchallenged."
"What about you?"
"Me?" Adam's eyes met with Joan's before turning away to give it some thought. "Well, I was going to help Iris with this thing for Price... but," A rueful laugh escaped his lips, "I guess the word now is was."
As much as it began to pain Joan to say, "Y'know," She slowly moved away from his grasp, allowing a small amount of distance between them. An action that Adam regarded with surprise. "Adam, you can call Iris tonight. Apologize to her or something. I-- I mean, you guys had gotten into a fight. You guys technically didn't break up, which means, I suppose, you're still technically a couple..."
"Jane," He began, closing his eyes and allowing a weary sigh to escape his lips. Shaking his head, "Can we talk about something else?"
Joan stopped in her steps, grabbed his arm and had him face her. Despite knowing that she was further pushing Adam away from her and towards Iris, Joan couldn't stand him yet again avoiding conflicted issues. "Adam, you have-- you have to face this thing between you and Iris. Fall-out, fight, whatever it is... you have to face it some time. You can't hide from it."
"I know. I-- I just don't want to talk about it, okay?" Adam reached out, grasping Joan's hand. "Can we please talk about something else now?" He gave her a pleading smile, something that she found herself unable to resist.
"Rove..." An amused, yet somewhat frustrated sigh left her lips, "Fine. Like what?"
Adam, at first, didn't give her an answer. Instead, still holding her hand, they continued on their walk towards Joan's house. Silence passed between them until, Adam asked, "Are you thinking of signing that get-well card for Price?"
Unable to help herself, a secretive grin appeared on her face. A part of her wished to tell Adam about already giving Price a card, but another part wanted it to remain a secret... at least for now. Giving her best nonchalant shrug, "I don't know... I mean, what makes you think after what happened today that Iris would let me sign it?"
"But if you can? What would you say?"
"I don't know, Adam." Her response was honest, especially considering that she had said what she had wanted to say to Price the day before. "What about you? Are you thinking of signing it? Despite the whole..."
"I," Adam began, also giving a shrug, "Maybe... I guess, I'll probably write something generic."
She grinned encouragingly, "Well, you could always draw something? I mean, who says you have to only express your feelings through words?"
"Do you think Grace would sign?" He asked thoughtfully, though there was amusement in his eyes.
Joan took a pause before answering, a somewhat confidant smile on her face. "I think she would. I mean, no one expects her to, right? And since Grace tends to avoid what's expected of her..."
"She'll sign it." Adam followed Joan's train of thought.
"If anything, it'll give Grace a great excuse to tick off Mr. Price. She'll probably write something political."
Adam laughed right along with Joan. He was more than happy to spend this moment with her. A somber thought crossed his mind, especially since he was well aware of the warmth of Joan's hand in his. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, one which she promptly returned though she continued talking. As if it was a natural reaction.
"She'll probably say something along the lines of how he's using up educational funds just for sitting around in a hospital room that doesn't even allow cable..." She teased, bringing another laugh out from Adam's lips.
He stopped for a moment, allowing silence to fall upon them. Finally, "Jane?"
"Hmm?"
"Is-- is it okay? I mean, for us to joke around like this? At Mr. Price's expense? He's in the hospital, Jane and... I know that we're not his biggest fans or anything, but still..."
Joan nodded understandingly, feeling a small wave of guilt. "I know, Adam. But there's nothing we really can do except--"
"Sign that card and hope for the best?" He replied, not exactly satisfied with the answer but unable to think of something better. It was then that another thought came to mind, "Or even visit him, I suppose."
She looked at Adam, surprised, though not for the reason he had assumed. Thinking that it was a bad idea, giving her a slight grin, "Stupid idea, huh? He'll probably kick us out and tell us to mind our own business or something..."
Remembering what God had asked of her, Joan allowed a sigh to escape her lips. Realizing that this talk just might be another hint, as unintentional as it may be, "Y'know, Adam." She turned to face him, a reluctant look in her eyes, "I just remembered that I need to run an errand downtown."
Adam regarded Joan, "Now? Jane, we're at least half a block away from your house."
"I know..." Yet another sigh, "But I need to walk back to that bus stop we had passed a block away. I'm sorry, Adam. It's just that-- it's kinda..."
"Complicated." He finished the sentence for her, especially having heard this talk, her excuse, a million and one times over. Adam removed his hand from Joan's grasp, placing it back into his hoodie. This move didn't surprise Joan entirely for she knew just how frustrated Adam must be feeling.
Sadly, "I'm sorry..." Trying to salvage the moment, "Adam?"
He gave her a curious look, especially as she in return gave him a shy and grateful smile.
"Thank you for the walk home. Can I call you later on? Maybe we can do something tomorrow. If you want to..."
Realizing that this was better than watching her leave with a flighty excuse, "Sure. I'd like that, Jane. You'll call me?" He had asked, hopefully.
"Of course." She nodded, a relieved smile on her face. Taking a quick glance at her watch, "I have to go. I'll talk to you later, Adam."
With that, Adam watched Joan turn and head towards the bus stop. Watching her leave, he had gotten this unexplainable feeling that her "errand" might also have something to do with Jane's "secret." It was something that Adam had slowly noticed that it might be responsible for Joan's behavior. Not just her behavior, but also responsible for her picking up on some challenging hobbies.
Question now is: Why couldn't she trust him with her secret?
JoA~~JoA
Joan had half expected to be greeted by God in the form of the receptionist from yesterday's visit. Upon entering the hospital, she couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief to see that God was no where in sight. Maybe it had to do with the fact that she actually showed up. That thought alone annoyed Joan because she could just imagine God smirking, in any of his many forms, at her weak attempt to "put her foot down". She wouldn't have put it pass the Annoying Almighty.
Not taking any chances of running into God, Joan made a brief stop at the gift shop, purchased a yellow Happy Face balloon, and made her way up towards the fourth floor. She could handle God's smirk, but there was no way she was going to listen through another one of God's "you should know better" speeches.
Upon reaching Price's door, which was again half-opened, she raised a hand to knock when she heard his voice. Her first thought was that he actually had a visitor, which gave her cause to smile. However, as she found herself leaning towards the door and silently listening in, Price sounded as if he was having a one sided conversation.
"Jaime... please... listen..."
And not a happy conversation at that. His voice had a mixture of weariness and frustration. The more Joan began to eavesdrop, the more she began to realize that he was on the phone. Having a talk that could very well escalate into a full blown argument.
"Are you letting me talk now?... Look, I'm sure that Doctor Wyatt had called you... yes, I did... why? Why?! Jaime, why shouldn't I list you and Andrew as my emergency contacts? You two are the only family I've got! Especially Drew... Yes, Drew, our son. My son. Just because we're divorced and you've got full custody of him, doesn't make Andrew any less my son..."
Joan's mouth dropped, refraining from gasping out loud. Mr. Price was married? Wait... make that, Mr. Price was once married? Now divorced and with a son? Mr. Price has a son? The Gavin Price? She never would have imagined him having a child, much less having a life outside of school. Then again, Joan never imagined herself just "hanging out" with Price. And that actually happened yesterday afternoon.
"Why did I call?... Well, as I'm sure Doctor Wyatt informed you, I'm going into surgery the day after tomorrow... And," She heard him draw an exasperated sigh. "Because-- because Jaime, most people that are about to under go surgery would like to be comforted by the thought that there's someone, somewhere, wanting them to come out okay. I just figured that you and Andrew would be my someone's..."
Thoughts and emotions began running through Joan. Could this be why God insisted on her visiting Price? It was becoming clear that Mr. Price needed someone, or at least some kind of support. Listening to this phone call, Joan realized that Price was reaching out to his estranged family... but from his side of the conversation, and the tone of his voice, it looked like his cry for help was falling on deaf ears.
"He doesn't know?... Why didn't you tell him?... Oh." His voice dropped to disappointment, though it seemed like he was trying his best to sound normal. "How is he, Jaime? I know it's been nearly five years, but... Jaime, you know I tried, it's just..."
His voice now rose angrily into a tone that Joan quickly recognized. "Wait a minute... No!... Jaime, don't do this. Don't you dare place the blame of our marriage falling apart completely on me... I didn't say that!... No! Jaime, you know that I was a hundred and ten percent supportive of your career. Which is more than I can say you were of my own... No, you knew that teaching was important to me, that being there for my students was-- Jaime!... That is not fair. I would never put my students ahead of my family, especially my own son... Who was the one that decided to accept that job in New York without discussing it with the other? Not to mention, who was the one fighting like hell to keep full custody instead of joint, thus pushing said son away from his father?... Jaime, I know being a photo journalist for the New York Times is a big deal, but... Jaime? Jaime!"
Joan involuntarily jumped upon hearing him slam the phone receiver down. She heard him release an agonized groan and she began having second thoughts on this visit. As quietly as possible, Joan walked away from the door. Feeling the balloon string still wrapped around her hand, Joan headed back and tied it hastily to the door knob. She had a feeling that once a nurse or an orderly brings the balloon in, he'll know right away that she had stopped by.
Just as she almost made it to the elevator, she recognized a familiar figure at the nurses' station, filling out some forms. She released her own frustrated groan, especially as the familiar red headed nurse sent Joan a relaxed smile. Joan walked towards "her", recalling the time that God, in that nurse form, informed her about the two forms of suicide. It was a lesson that Joan would never forget, especially since it had to do with Adam.
"Okay, you caught me." Joan spoke up, "What now?"
"Did you enjoy that conversation?" Not bothering to look up from the her paperwork, "Would've been a lot more interesting, not to mention a lot more informative, if you had gone to the source instead of eavesdropping."
"Why is it that every request that comes straight out of your mouth sound so simple?" Mocking with a gesture of heavily thinking, "Oh, yes, that's right. Because you don't have to do it!"
God looked up at Joan, casting her a disapproving look. "Joan, you could've asked him about his family."
"First off, that thought never crossed my mind yesterday afternoon. Since you're so 'in tuned' with the universe, I'm sure that you were privy to our conversation. We talked about trivial things. We were comfortable talking about things that had nothing to do with our personal lives because that would be... well, it'd be weird discussing my life outside of school with my Vice Principal. Second, I never figured Price as a, y'know, family man."
"You've never once glanced at the picture frame, on his desk, of a man holding a little boy in his arms? Smiling at the camera?"
Joan bit her lower lip, slightly recalling such photograph on Price's office desk. It was kind of hard not to miss when you've been in his office on numerous accounts.
"I honestly never gave it a second thought." She answered truthfully, though once again earning a look of disappointment from God. Sighing, "Okay, I'll try to be more observant, like you said."
"Good." God finally spoke, before returning her attention towards the papers in her hands. Silence had fallen upon them, which caused Joan to stare at God incredulously.
"What? That's it? You don't have anything else to say to me?"
God looked up, showing a look that was as close to genuine confusion as an Omniscient Being was capable of giving. "Like what?"
Still staring at God in shock, "Well... I don't know... don't you want me to do something to help Price out? What about his family? Would you like me to contact them? On his behalf? It's pretty obvious that he needs them. Especially his son!"
Giving her a knowing glance, "Joan, I thought I made it clear what I wanted you to do."
Nodding her head, "Yeah... you wanted me to visit Price as often as possible."
"Good. That means I don't have to repeat myself with you. Y'know, that's getting just as old as me reminding you that I don't make you do anything." Again, God began focusing her attention back on the paperwork.
Joan resisted the urge to reach out and toss the folder right out from God's hands. "That's it?! What about his family? He needs them! You know that!"
God took one final glance up in Joan's direction. Casting her a secretive smile, "I also know that 'family' comes in many forms. Not just those people that are related by blood. Often or not, your family are basically the people that care about you, that are just there for you, no matter what. They're just there. They're just present. Willing to be a part of your life, at any price..."
Before walking away, God gave Joan a comforting smile. Joan watched God for a while, taking in God's words to her. Suddenly, another thought crossed her mind, which caused her to run after God.
Catching up to "the nurse", "Hey, wait!"
God stopped, turning to face Joan with what could only be an expected grin, "Yes?"
"Price," Joan began, briefly catching her breath, "Price, he-- he mentioned surgery. What for? How badly was he injured? What happened to him?"
"Joan," Giving her a look she knew so well, "If you wanted to know, you could've--"
"Yes, yes, I know. I could've asked him." Slightly groaning, agitated, "Look, can you at least do me this one favor and answer one of my questions? And it's not even a hard one to give! It's not like I'm asking you the whole universal existence question. Just a fairly simple one."
God crossed her arms, a half smile was on her lips. Regarding Joan for a while before finally, "Gavin Price had taken a bad fall from his home. What had resulted from the fall was the tearing of ligaments on both legs." With an amused smile, "According to Doctor Wyatt, it was a miracle that his leg bones didn't shatter, considering the impact of his fall. Which is why Gavin Price is having that operation the day after tomorrow. And no, I will not indulge you with the details of his accident. That is something which I'm sure you'll want to discuss with Mr. Price."
Joan had gotten the same sickening feeling she had a long time ago. In the aftermath of Kevin's accident, when the doctors were explaining to her family about Kevin's operation and how he could never walk again.
Unable to help herself, "Mr. Price... will he... is he..."
God reached out to Joan, placing a comforting hand on her arm. With a warm, reassuring smile, "He'll walk, Joan. His injuries were not as serious as Kevin's. In time, he'll walk again."
JoA~~JoA~~JoA
A/N: Ha! Yet a somewhat cliffie! I'm still somewhat battling a cold, not to mention that the weather sucks over here so it's basically putting me in a sour mood... I know, excuses excuses... but I do promise this: As cuteboyGod as my witness, I will finish this fanfic! At least by the end of this month! I swear on all of Chris Marquette's cuteness!
