Marcie had taken off down one of the hallways, keeping up a steady pace until she hit a dead end, unable to go any further. She leaned her back against the wall, sliding down to sit on the floor. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving visible tracks.
"Marcie?" Michael had to look twice, going over to her. "Sweetie? What's wrong?"
Marcie wiped her eyes to no avail. The tears wouldn't stop flowing. "It's nothing, Michael," she said. "It's nothing. Please."
"Sweetie," Michael crouched beside her. "You can tell me anything. You know that. Is it Eric? Or your Dad?"
"No..." Marcie sniffles. "No it's just... I just remembered something. I was reminded of... I talked to..." Marcie paused. "I was just... reminded about what happened with the sorority and..."
"You talked to Shannon, didn't you?" Michael asked. Marcie nodded. "Oh, Marc," he wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, sweetie."
"It hurts," Marcie rested her head on his shoulder. "It hurts to remember it. To remember what they did to me, all the things they said to me. But what hurts the most is... what happened to..."
"I know," Michael soothed her. "I know, sweetie. I know how much he meant to you. I know, it's OK to talk about him, I told you that, right."
"I know," Marcie said.
"Al will always be a big part of your life." Michael said. "You keep him in your heart, OK? You can do that."
Marcie pushed her lips against his. "I love you," she said "You know how amazing you are?"
"You make me that way," Michael said. "You know... I don't know where I'd be today if you hadn't come into my life." He paused. "No, you know what Marcie, you saved my life. I wouldn't be standing here today if it wasn't for you." He thumbed the tears from her eyes. "You changed me in ways that I never thought I could change. You're spectacular, Marcie." Marcie finally smiled, cupping Michael's cheek. "Come on," he said "Come with me."
"Where?" Marcie said as Michael got her to her feet. "Michael... where are we going."
"Just come with me," he smiled "You'll see. You'll like it. I promise you'll like it."
>>>>>>
There was only one way that Mark knew to get rid of some of his nervous energy. He emerged from the locker room at LU in his swim suit, towel draped over his shoulder as he adjusted his cap, straightening his goggles atop his head.
"So..." Mark didn't even want to turn, the last thing he needed right now was confrontation with the football frat boys, especially Ethan Harrison. "Solomon. Rumor has it you're a queer."
"Rumor's right," he turned around facing him. "But unless you're interested, I don't think it's any of your business." Sean stood behind Ethan, laughed. "You're not... interested Ethan, are you?" Mark poked at him. Sean's laughter grew.
Ethan spun to face him. "Will you shut the hell up, Sean," he said. "The queer thinks he's funny." Ethan moved closer to Mark, stance threatening. "Is that right, queer? You think you're funny?"
"What in the name of God is going on over here?" the coach said, coming out of his office on the far end of the gym. "Solomon, Harrison!"
"Nothing," Ethan said staring down Mark with a look of hatred in his eyes.
"Nothing," Mark said.
"That's what I like to hear." the coach said. "Now you boys were off to the showers. He looked at Ethan and Sean."
"Right Coach" Ethan said.
"And to the pool," he looked at Mark.
"Right, Coach," Mark said.
"Well..." the coach said. "What are the three of you waiting for? Scoot! Oh and boys..." They all stopped. "They next time you decide you want to start something, don't even think of doing it within a hundred feet of me."
"Oh don't worry, Coach," Ethan said with a hint of sarcasm. "We wouldn't even think of it."