Okay, I know, that the last chapter wasn't great (as far as confrontation goes) but I am hoping to make this one better... so read on....
Cory and Topanga went to bed that night without speaking to Shawn. Shawn, himself, had stayed up late finishing Dark Shadow. When it was time for work the next morning he could barely keep his eyes awake. Cory and Topanga tried to cover for him but they hadn't managed to let it slip by Kristen.
"He should have been here an hour and a half ago. Where is he?" Kristen asked impatiently. The morning rush was unusually large and she had been working everyone on overtime to cover up for Shawn's absence.
Topanga hadn't spoken to Cory at all that morning after they had reached work. The constant order and messes had kept them constantly busy. Finally, at 10:00, Shawn walked in the door completely oblivious to the rush of customers.
"Shawn! Where were you? You're two hours late!" Kristen yelled from behind the register, shocking the payer. "Sorry," she mumbled to the customer.
Shawn walked into the back storeroom and put his apron on. He came out with his order pad and tray and began to work. He had yet to say a single word to any one and hoped that Kristen yelling at him just then was the last of it. He was wrong. Way wrong.
At 1:00 the morning and lunch rush was coming to an end. Topanga had made more on tips than she had all the week before. "Look at this," she said holding out her bag. It was filled to the top with money of all sorts.
"That is amazing, I have never seen this place so crowded," Cory said holding Topanga as she sat in his arms looking at her tips. "Shawn, it's too bad that you weren't here earlier," he said without thinking. He immediately regretted it.
"What's that suppose to mean? I had a few things on my mind that I hand to handle," Shawn said very defensively.
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I just meant..."
"You meant what, no, tell me, Cory." Shawn was on the brink of hurting him when somebody behind him held him back.
He turned to look at the holder but to his surprise found Jonathan Turner holding his shoulders.
"Don't." Turner said looking at Shawn like he did when Shawn had gotten in trouble before, years ago.
Shawn was too surprised to say anything. He was fully turned around standing no more than a foot from him. Shawn looked into his old friend's eyes. He felt the warmth that he had felt all those years ago. Turner blinked and moved away. Shawn came out of his trance. Before anybody had a chance to say anything Shawn turned and left. Cory and Topanga watched him with surprise but this time, they didn't follow.
Cory looked from the door to Turner. He had no idea what to say but felt the need to say something. He tried to murmur something but just quiet mumbles came out. Gibberish.
Turner was still looking at the door. Disappointed he looked at Cory. Jonathan gave Cory a questioning look.
Topanga stepped forward. "I'm really sorry about that, Mr. Turner." She looked into his eyes and the same feeling of warmth came over her.
"It isn't your fault," he said kindly, "it's mine." Jonathan sighed.
Both Cory and Topanga looked at him.
"What do you mean it's your fault? If it's anyone's fault it's Shawn's. He shouldn't treat anybody like that, let alone his professor." Topanga sat back down on the couch they had been on.
Cory, sitting down next to her said, "Don't blame yourself. He's been acting this way for a few days."
Turner sat down in one of the chairs. His right leg stuck out and he placed his crutches on the floor in front of him. He was unsure of what to say. "Yeah, okay, I'll just let him be," he said half-heartedly.
Topanga and Cory looked at each other. They hadn't spoken to their teacher face to face yet. "So," Cory began, "how've you been?"
Jonathan knew that he was trying to keep their conversation going. He smiled and said, "good. And you?"
"We're great," Cory said quickly. "Just Great."
"We got married!" Topanga jumped in excitedly.
"Why is it that I'm not surprised? You two were meant to be together."
Topanga smiled. Everyone told her that. She had heard it a thousand times, but a thousand and one never hurt.
Cory and Topanga explained about their past few years, about the proposal madness, about Yale, everything. But, there was one thing they never brought up, Shawn.