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Chapter 2 – Conversation

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Joan sat on the stairs in the hallway just down from her mother's classroom. She had gotten there just as Adam had gone in and so she'd not been able to say anything to him. But she had promised to be there in the hall for moral support and there she would stay. To pass the time she was attempting to read the latest assignment from English Lit, but she kept wondering what was so important that her mom had called Mr. Rove in for a meeting.

Sitting there reading Joan failed to hear the approach of a dark looking young man. Given his apparent age, Goth style dress and numerous piercings he could have passed for a student, but as he greeted Joan, she recognized him as someone who'd come to Arcadia High School primarily to confuse her even more than she already was.

"Hello Joan, and why do you think my only purpose here is to confuse you?"

"There you go, listening in again."

"Joan, I'm always listening. But I repeat my question, why do you think my only purpose here is to confuse you?"

"Let's see...cryptic answers, lessons about choices and consequences, connections that, at least on the surface, are broken, things turning out in ways other than how I planned and those are just for starters."

"Ah now Joan, are those things that confuse you, or is it something more basic?"

"More basic?"

"Perhaps if I rephrase my question, why are you here?"

"I'm here waiting for my mom to finish her meeting."

"And you're telling me that on any other normal day, when the weather is nice, if your mom had a meeting after school, you wouldn't find another way home rather than sit here in the hall for an undefined period of time?"

"Oh, alright, I would have normally done that but she's meeting with Adam and his dad."

"So you're saying that you're here to support Adam?"

"Yeah, I guess so. Oh wait....I suppose that you're going to tell me that I should leave and not be here when he comes out like I said I would."

"No Joan, I've told you long ago that your job is often to help others with their burdens, to provide support even when it doesn't seem necessary."

"Yeah, I know, and your point?"

"Well Adam will need your support. Your job is to provide it....in other words say yes."

"What's the question?"

"Now if I told you that..."

"I know, I know....no hints."

"Let's just say that when he asks for your help you should seriously consider saying yes. Don't over think the issue. Take the question at its face value."

"Are you saying that I should ignore that he is with Iris right now and that I lost my chance regardless of the conversation he and I had the other evening?"

"Joan, just be yourself. You would be surprised how much you being you can be a help to those around you."

As the student moved off down the hall, Joan called after him, "That's it? Be myself? Am I on spring break with you too? No, I suppose that would be too good to be true."

As the student exited the building Joan noted the backhanded wave he offered over his shoulder.

Joan tried to return to her reading but it was hard to do with her just concluded conversation with God running through her mind.

In one of the few times her attention was actually focused on the book in front of her, Adam approached quietly from down the hall, stopping a few feet in front of her.

"Jane?"

"Oh, hey there Adam. How did your meeting go with my mom?"

"Pretty good. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about it."

Adam sat down on the stairs next to Joan. As the two friends sat there talking, neither noticed the dark haired girl who had started down the stairs above them but who had stopped when she noticed who was sitting there talking. Iris, interested in what Adam and Joan were discussing, pulled back around the corner where she could hear the conversation without being seen.

"Your mom told me she got a call from the University today. They've asked me to participate in the art exhibit they have for high school students this year."

"Adam, that's great! Are you going to do it?"

"Yeah, I said I would. It's really a big deal to be asked."

"When is it?"

"Actually, that's the worst part, it starts this Saturday. That means I've got to select pieces to take, get loaded and all set up within the next couple of days."

"You'll manage Adam, and I'm sure it will be great. Do you need any help getting loaded and stuff?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about Jane, will you come?"

"You mean go with you to the University?"

"Yeah."

"Adam, why me? "

"It's hard for me to explain why Jane, I just know that I want you to be there with me. It's important."

"I guess I can ask my parents. But Adam, what will Iris say? I'm sure she'd be interested in the exhibit and would want to be there for you."

"I'd be lying if I said that I didn't care what Iris will say, but I'd also be lying if I said I wanted her there more than I want you to be there with me........You know why Jane."

Joan, who had been watching Adam's expression intently to understand what he was trying to tell her, glanced away to hide her embarrassment before answering, "Yeah."

"Will you come with me Jane?"

"Yeah of course Adam, I'll be your roadie again, providing it's okay with my parents."

"Turns out that's likely to be the easiest part. Your mom is going to go with me on Friday evening and help me get registered and everything. My dad has to work Friday night and can't come until Saturday evening."

"Is there a place to stay there?"

"Your mom is working out the details with my dad now. I guess we'll leave Friday after school."

Iris didn't need to hear anymore of the conversation. She knew she needed to talk to Adam, but now just wasn't the time.

~ TBC ~

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A/N: Reviews will help me post the next chapters more quickly, so I look forward to your comments....