Epilogue: Nice to Finally Meet You

The last time that he had been in this city, the image of his father had been one involving him caught up in this imminent battle. It had caused a fear within the young man, for he had know it was bound to happen between the two most adored people in his life-- he could just see it in their eyes-- and, he had hoped against hope at being witness to their fury. Mainly because of a child's ultimate guilt: Is it my fault? However, years have passed, the image now blurred with regret and time, and the current image of his father wasn't of anger and hidden guilt... it was of laughter and inner bliss.

It had been five long years since he had embraced his father. He was just a little boy and upon receiving that one final hug at the airport, he had found that it was the most uncomfortable, and most dreadful, moment he shared with his dad. With that hug came a foreboding that the "good-bye" would last a lot longer than either of them anticipated. He tried to keep hope that it was just his child-like fear and paranoia, that the summer would once again reunite father and son... However, that year, and the years to follow, had just brought a stillness to his life that was far worst than the silence born with him. One could have argued with him that he could have done something, but outside influences-- whom had ironically been his only support-- had convinced his inner selfishness that it was his father's decision. So over those brief years, over those somewhat empty summers, the young man had grown numb and accustomed to the silence from his father's side of the world. However, the little boy within, that would always admire his dad, still kept hope. Still held on to the unbreakable ties between parent and child... and he was certainly glad that he did.

It had been five long years... His mother had approached him a week ago, the look in her eyes spoke of conflict and guilt. He had noticed, a few days before that, his mother walking around with an emotional burden that he had seen only once; during the moments that had lead up to his parents' final confrontation. An inner alarm had rung in his chest and he knew right away that whatever his mother had to say; it was about his father. She proceeded to tell him about his dad's untimely fall, which had caused unfortunate tears on both legs. She had said how his father was in the hospital and that a few hours from now, at the time she was explaining, he'll go into surgery... alone. Never had the young man been more scared, nor more furious at his mother for attempting to withhold such information. Expecting as much, she continued explaining that she had already booked themselves a flight to Arcadia that weekend. That she was extremely sorry for not telling him sooner and that despite his own desperation to see his father immediately, he had to be rational and think of school. She had already arranged for him to take a week off, just to spend time with his bed-ridden father. Forgiveness had already been given, though he feigned anger just to spite.

Upon the ride over from the airport to the hospital, he had been wracked with guilt and fear for his father. Worried beyond anything else at the thought of his father all alone. He had thought of all those times in the past, how his father had stayed devotedly by his side, no questions asked, no protest taken. Growing up, his parents, especially his dad, had done their best to make sure that he would grow up with not just his voice being heard, but the world being spoken to him as well. As a youth, he had experienced low points that no child should ever go through... but his father had always reached down and pulled him up. Now, realizing that this was his own father's low point, the son wanted nothing more than to return the love and the favor.

His mother had explained to him that despite his fear, his dad wasn't really alone. She had spoken to him that Friday evening and he had told her about one of his students. That this young woman, a Miss Joan Giradi, had been keeping his father company for the past week since being admitted to the hospital. How this Joan Giradi never left his father's side and was more than looking forward to meeting her vice principal's prodigal son. This was news to him, but as much relief it gave him, he still found it unsettling that a mere student was the one to be there for his dad and not him... his own son. He tried to push that thought away, however, for it was ridiculous speculation like that in being the final straw to his parents' marriage. He focused on the positive that at least his father wasn't really alone... just going through this without his son by his side.

At the hospital, they were greeted by a woman receptionist with a cheerful smile and, what he could only assume, a knowing twinkle in her eye. His mother had proceeded to explain to the woman that they were here to visit one Gavin Price. The woman pointed out the room number, however that wouldn't help much at this point because if she recalled, Mr. Price was taken for a stroll outside on the hospital's lush grounds. They headed towards where the woman pointed out and soon enough, they found him.

His father, though had naturally aged quite a bit, never looked so happy to just be alive. He wasn't alone, for he was within the company of what the young man could assume was his father's students. They were all gathered underneath this big tree; his father sitting in a wheelchair, a girl, at least he hoped so, leaning against the tree with a mild, amused scowl on her face, a young man sitting on the grass and merely sketching, and another young woman, who was sitting comfortably next to the young artist, that was talking animatedly to his father and making him laugh. The young man immediately figured out which of the three students was the infamous Joan Giradi.

He watched the sight before him, wanting to burn it in his memory and erase that horrible blurred image of the past. He recognized the peace on his father's face and a desperate empty part of himself wished he could now feel the same. At the encouraging of his mother, he slowly made his way towards the group.

Half way there, his father had unintentionally glanced up and saw him. The look of laughter changed into one of recognition and disbelief. His father stared at him, stunned, yet the joy in his eyes was clearly shining. The young woman had stopped talking and gazed over at what had caught Gavin Price's attention. The other two students glanced over, though it was the young woman with the bright eyes and glowing smile that seemed to recognize who he was. She stood up, gazed over at his dad and seemed to comfort his surprise with soft words. His father gave the young woman's hand a grateful squeeze, before turning his gaze once more to hold onto the sight of his son.

If he didn't already have his heart taken back home in New York, the young man swore that he could have fallen deeply in love with this young woman. She walked towards him with a humble confidence. Her eyes smiling at him in the same fashion she had given his father a moment ago. An excited, yet somewhat nervous, grin on her face. He could only assume that she was about the same age as his sixteen, going on seventeen, years... maybe younger.

She approached him and, to his surprise and delight, she held out her hand to him before signing, "Hi, Andrew. My name's Joan. It's nice to finally meet you."

THE END

JoA~~JoA~~JoA

Author's Final Note: Ha Ha! I'm done! *falls back on computer chair with utter relief* You multi-chapter authors out there probably knows what this feels like. I hope you had enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. When I started out with this story, I had intended on three concepts for Joan; getting her back together with Adam, having her become a part of Price's life, and having her involved in an insightful conversation with CBG. As you can see, I had to sacrifice one of the concepts because ultimately this was a Joan/Price story with the same underlying theme that seemed to span beyond just those two and towards everyone around them. Hope you got what I was trying to convey and I hope you really did enjoy this story. I guess I don't have to ask you to review, but it would place my weary mind at ease.

And for those of you that have kept up with this story and given me those kind reviews... expect a pineapple or a pina colada in the mail. *grins* All kidding aside, I can't tell you how much you guys have inspired me to want to finish this story. I want to dedicate this final part of the story to you guys!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and until next time... ALOHA!