A/N: Here is the next installment. Sorry it was a little delayed (and I
was doing so well at getting chapters posted) but Fanfiction.net was down
this AM and so that's just how it goes. Hope you enjoy this chapter and
the next. Thanks for the reviews as well. Keep them coming, cause it
makes me post faster!
-----------------------------------------------------
Chapter 8 – Enlightenment
-----------------------------------------------------
Joan glanced around after arriving in the lobby, and not noticing anyone obviously looking for a starving customer, she headed for the gift shop to buy drinks for her and Adam. She grabbed two sodas out of the cooler and headed toward the counter. On the way she noticed a display of candles, on impulse she selected one, thinking it would add a nice touch to their dinner tonight.
As she approached the counter she kept glancing out the door of the shop, thinking to herself "Where is that delivery guy?" Bored with watching for her dinner to arrive, Joan glanced around at the shop and noticed a collection of small desktop clocks next to the counter. Obviously meant as a teaser for guests that just stopped in to purchase a newspaper or a pack of gum, Joan tried to ignore the display. Yet, as the clerk assisted the customer in front of her, Joan could not help but turn back to the clocks. One in particular drew her attention; it had a small clock face set in a piece of natural stone.
When she reached the counter and placed her purchases down, she was surprised to hear the clerk comment, "Interesting isn't it?"
"What?"
"Time and how it's measured."
"Yes, I guess so."
"I have to say it was one of those concepts that I was surprised was grasped so quickly...I mean the ancients, Copernicus, Galileo, others....."
"Don't tell me...it's you isn't it?" Joan commented.
"Well who else would I be but 'me', Joan?"
"I should've figured you would show up. What challenge, or assignment, or whatever do you want me to do now? I'm sure whatever it is, it will make Adam think I've lost my mind."
"What would you say if I said there was no additional assignment? You are already in the middle of one aren't you?"
"Well yes, I guess so, though it doesn't seem much like an assignment, or at least one 'you'd' give me. Though, if that is so, why are you here?"
"Perhaps I thought I should call your attention to things that go on around you, things so basic as light from your candle and the measurement of time using that clock...."
"Okay, I'm missing your point.......I'm tired, hungry, and if I'm not careful I'll miss the delivery guy. Any chance you could clarify, just a little?"
"Take the candle....you chose it to add light to your dinner table, perhaps the lasagna you and Adam share is not the only thing that should have some additional light shed on it. As for the clock, time as measured by a clock passes quickly, before you know it, minutes go by, then, hours, days, years. As each one passes, the opportunities for...let's say....enlightenment, pass by as well. Perhaps, you should consider these concepts when you consider your relationship with Adam."
"So this lesson is about the relationship Adam and I have?"
"That's for you to determine."
"Oh, I know, just hints, no answers. Why do I even think there will ever be a clear answer?"
As the clerk handed back her change, he offered, "Perhaps, I'll give you a clear answer to your previous question, just this once."
"Really?"
"Yes.....the delivery guy is waiting for you over there by the front desk."
Realizing that she 'had' asked that question previously, Joan could make little comment, so she simply grabbed her purchases, wrinkled up her face, offered the clerk an annoyed smile and headed off to find her dinner.
--------------------------------------------
Adam came out of the bathroom after having finished his shower. It was immediately obvious that Jane had headed down to the lobby to get their dinner. Noticing the towel that Jane had had wrapped around her head lying on the counter near the hair dryer, a grin crossed Adam's face recalling her attempts to swat him with it just a few minutes before. Adam grabbed the towel, and entered the bathroom again to hang it up. As he exited, Jane's cell phone started ringing.
Weighing the options of not answering the phone and allowing the person on the other end to worry or answering it and having to explain why it was him and not Jane, Adam took the second alternative.
"Hello?"
"Rove?"
"Oh, hey there Grace."
"Rove, why are you answering Girardi's phone? Is she being held captive by the mad artists at the exhibit?"
"No, Grace nothing so dramatic, she's down in the lobby getting our dinner."
"So you're ignoring my advice about clubbing?"
"Grace it's like a torrential downpour here."
"Yeah, yeah, ya know ya could be here in 'winter wonderland'."
"Is it really bad?"
"Yes, and no. The roads are bad but at least they cancelled the family thing I was suppose to do tonight so I am free to continue my annoyance of geek boy."
"How is Luke?"
"Oh, he'll be fine. They say he can go home tonight."
"Jane will be glad to hear it."
"Speaking of hearing it, was the little bird right that told me you and Girardi are on your own there? Something about your dad not being able to make it over?"
"Yeah, remember the snow stuff outside your window?"
"I suppose it might make the trip a little messy."
"Not to mention unsafe. But we're managing here. The biggest crises so far seem to be deciding what to have for dinner and that we're out of clean towels."
"Wait a minute there Rove."
"What?"
"What was that part there about the towels?"
"Well it's cause of the rain, we were soaked when we got back to my room. Between that and taking showers, we're out of clean towels."
"Good excuse so far, now explain why Girardi's phone is in your room and why you said 'my room' and not 'our rooms'."
"Grace it's no big deal..."
"No big deal my foot...spill Rove!"
"Oh alright, when Mrs. G left this morning, Jane tried to extend her reservation, but the hotel wouldn't let her. She put her stuff in my room and we thought we work it all out when my dad got here this evening, but well he never made it and ..."
"...and the two of you are sharing a room."
"Yeah."
"Interesting. Tell me have you told the parents of this little development?"
"No...after all there's not been much time, we just found out my dad wasn't coming an hour ago."
"Okay...good so far...now tell me, are you going to take advantage of this situation?"
"Grace!"
"What......Oh, you thought I meant...Rove 'that' is a mental image I can not deal with...No I didn't mean that. I meant are you going to take advantage of the situation and 'talk' to each other."
"Grace..."
"Oh don't 'Grace' me. I have to hang around the two of you all the time, remember. I know what's going on between you, even if the two of you don't."
"Grace it's not that easy."
"Seems to me it's a whole lot easier now."
"Why, cause we're sharing a room?"
"No, cause of your situation with Squeaky."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you two broke up didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, we did. Who told you?"
"Well, I got that piece of information directly from Cousin It herself."
"When did you see Iris?"
"Last night. She was at the mall with some guy I've seen around school. They were on their way to the movies. I'd made some comment about her taking advantage of you being out of town. She told me then that 'you' were out of the picture as far as she was concerned."
"Grace!"
"What? Somebody has to get your back for you Rove. Consider it part of the sub-defective code. Anyway, no harm no foul."
"I suppose."
"So, I repeat my question. Are you going to take advantage of the situation and talk to each other?"
"Well, I'd like to but I am not sure if Jane is interested."
"Oh she's interested alright. Besides, when are you going to have a better chance to talk one on one with each other without any interruptions?"
"Grace, I'll deal with it alright."
"Rove, I expect the situation to be resolved when I see you two on Monday. Then maybe we three can find something to do for the remainder of break."
"About resolving situations...what about you and Luke?"
"Not now Rove."
"Grace, where is it said you get to tell me how to deal with stuff like this but I don't get to offer advice to you?"
"That would be on page four of the Friends since Age 3 Manual."
"Uh huh...don't remember reading that one."
"I'll get you a copy....Anyway gotta go. Tell Girardi I called and that geek boy will survive."
"I'll do that."
"And Rove,...."
"Yeah?"
"Talk to her...See ya."
The phone signal disconnected before Adam could say anything further to Grace. Maybe she was right; it was unlikely he and Jane would have a better opportunity to talk. He just hoped that what she would say would be what he wanted to hear.
------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Chapter 8 – Enlightenment
-----------------------------------------------------
Joan glanced around after arriving in the lobby, and not noticing anyone obviously looking for a starving customer, she headed for the gift shop to buy drinks for her and Adam. She grabbed two sodas out of the cooler and headed toward the counter. On the way she noticed a display of candles, on impulse she selected one, thinking it would add a nice touch to their dinner tonight.
As she approached the counter she kept glancing out the door of the shop, thinking to herself "Where is that delivery guy?" Bored with watching for her dinner to arrive, Joan glanced around at the shop and noticed a collection of small desktop clocks next to the counter. Obviously meant as a teaser for guests that just stopped in to purchase a newspaper or a pack of gum, Joan tried to ignore the display. Yet, as the clerk assisted the customer in front of her, Joan could not help but turn back to the clocks. One in particular drew her attention; it had a small clock face set in a piece of natural stone.
When she reached the counter and placed her purchases down, she was surprised to hear the clerk comment, "Interesting isn't it?"
"What?"
"Time and how it's measured."
"Yes, I guess so."
"I have to say it was one of those concepts that I was surprised was grasped so quickly...I mean the ancients, Copernicus, Galileo, others....."
"Don't tell me...it's you isn't it?" Joan commented.
"Well who else would I be but 'me', Joan?"
"I should've figured you would show up. What challenge, or assignment, or whatever do you want me to do now? I'm sure whatever it is, it will make Adam think I've lost my mind."
"What would you say if I said there was no additional assignment? You are already in the middle of one aren't you?"
"Well yes, I guess so, though it doesn't seem much like an assignment, or at least one 'you'd' give me. Though, if that is so, why are you here?"
"Perhaps I thought I should call your attention to things that go on around you, things so basic as light from your candle and the measurement of time using that clock...."
"Okay, I'm missing your point.......I'm tired, hungry, and if I'm not careful I'll miss the delivery guy. Any chance you could clarify, just a little?"
"Take the candle....you chose it to add light to your dinner table, perhaps the lasagna you and Adam share is not the only thing that should have some additional light shed on it. As for the clock, time as measured by a clock passes quickly, before you know it, minutes go by, then, hours, days, years. As each one passes, the opportunities for...let's say....enlightenment, pass by as well. Perhaps, you should consider these concepts when you consider your relationship with Adam."
"So this lesson is about the relationship Adam and I have?"
"That's for you to determine."
"Oh, I know, just hints, no answers. Why do I even think there will ever be a clear answer?"
As the clerk handed back her change, he offered, "Perhaps, I'll give you a clear answer to your previous question, just this once."
"Really?"
"Yes.....the delivery guy is waiting for you over there by the front desk."
Realizing that she 'had' asked that question previously, Joan could make little comment, so she simply grabbed her purchases, wrinkled up her face, offered the clerk an annoyed smile and headed off to find her dinner.
--------------------------------------------
Adam came out of the bathroom after having finished his shower. It was immediately obvious that Jane had headed down to the lobby to get their dinner. Noticing the towel that Jane had had wrapped around her head lying on the counter near the hair dryer, a grin crossed Adam's face recalling her attempts to swat him with it just a few minutes before. Adam grabbed the towel, and entered the bathroom again to hang it up. As he exited, Jane's cell phone started ringing.
Weighing the options of not answering the phone and allowing the person on the other end to worry or answering it and having to explain why it was him and not Jane, Adam took the second alternative.
"Hello?"
"Rove?"
"Oh, hey there Grace."
"Rove, why are you answering Girardi's phone? Is she being held captive by the mad artists at the exhibit?"
"No, Grace nothing so dramatic, she's down in the lobby getting our dinner."
"So you're ignoring my advice about clubbing?"
"Grace it's like a torrential downpour here."
"Yeah, yeah, ya know ya could be here in 'winter wonderland'."
"Is it really bad?"
"Yes, and no. The roads are bad but at least they cancelled the family thing I was suppose to do tonight so I am free to continue my annoyance of geek boy."
"How is Luke?"
"Oh, he'll be fine. They say he can go home tonight."
"Jane will be glad to hear it."
"Speaking of hearing it, was the little bird right that told me you and Girardi are on your own there? Something about your dad not being able to make it over?"
"Yeah, remember the snow stuff outside your window?"
"I suppose it might make the trip a little messy."
"Not to mention unsafe. But we're managing here. The biggest crises so far seem to be deciding what to have for dinner and that we're out of clean towels."
"Wait a minute there Rove."
"What?"
"What was that part there about the towels?"
"Well it's cause of the rain, we were soaked when we got back to my room. Between that and taking showers, we're out of clean towels."
"Good excuse so far, now explain why Girardi's phone is in your room and why you said 'my room' and not 'our rooms'."
"Grace it's no big deal..."
"No big deal my foot...spill Rove!"
"Oh alright, when Mrs. G left this morning, Jane tried to extend her reservation, but the hotel wouldn't let her. She put her stuff in my room and we thought we work it all out when my dad got here this evening, but well he never made it and ..."
"...and the two of you are sharing a room."
"Yeah."
"Interesting. Tell me have you told the parents of this little development?"
"No...after all there's not been much time, we just found out my dad wasn't coming an hour ago."
"Okay...good so far...now tell me, are you going to take advantage of this situation?"
"Grace!"
"What......Oh, you thought I meant...Rove 'that' is a mental image I can not deal with...No I didn't mean that. I meant are you going to take advantage of the situation and 'talk' to each other."
"Grace..."
"Oh don't 'Grace' me. I have to hang around the two of you all the time, remember. I know what's going on between you, even if the two of you don't."
"Grace it's not that easy."
"Seems to me it's a whole lot easier now."
"Why, cause we're sharing a room?"
"No, cause of your situation with Squeaky."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, you two broke up didn't you?"
"Well, yeah, we did. Who told you?"
"Well, I got that piece of information directly from Cousin It herself."
"When did you see Iris?"
"Last night. She was at the mall with some guy I've seen around school. They were on their way to the movies. I'd made some comment about her taking advantage of you being out of town. She told me then that 'you' were out of the picture as far as she was concerned."
"Grace!"
"What? Somebody has to get your back for you Rove. Consider it part of the sub-defective code. Anyway, no harm no foul."
"I suppose."
"So, I repeat my question. Are you going to take advantage of the situation and talk to each other?"
"Well, I'd like to but I am not sure if Jane is interested."
"Oh she's interested alright. Besides, when are you going to have a better chance to talk one on one with each other without any interruptions?"
"Grace, I'll deal with it alright."
"Rove, I expect the situation to be resolved when I see you two on Monday. Then maybe we three can find something to do for the remainder of break."
"About resolving situations...what about you and Luke?"
"Not now Rove."
"Grace, where is it said you get to tell me how to deal with stuff like this but I don't get to offer advice to you?"
"That would be on page four of the Friends since Age 3 Manual."
"Uh huh...don't remember reading that one."
"I'll get you a copy....Anyway gotta go. Tell Girardi I called and that geek boy will survive."
"I'll do that."
"And Rove,...."
"Yeah?"
"Talk to her...See ya."
The phone signal disconnected before Adam could say anything further to Grace. Maybe she was right; it was unlikely he and Jane would have a better opportunity to talk. He just hoped that what she would say would be what he wanted to hear.
------------------------------------------
