Chapter 11 Competitions
(Author's Note: Since this story is getting long and complicated, I thought that I'd supply a time line of the key events:
Sunday, 8/14 Luke returns from vacation and learns of his promotion
Monday, 9/12 Opening day of school
Saturday, 9/24 Maggie's horse party
Monday, 9/26 Attack on mosque
Wednesday, 9/28 Adam wins award for painting
Friday, 9/30 Homecoming Queen Nominations
(future)
Thursday, 10/13 Yom Kippur (Grace's first after Bat Mitzvah)
Saturday 11/19 Homecoming Game/Luke's 17th Birthday/end of story
The rest of the story is planned out in detail and will total either 18 or 19 chapters.)
"And first prize for best painting goes to -- Adam Rove!"
Delighted, Adam left his seat in the auditorium and started toward the dais.
He had conceived the idea for the painting, "Choices and Consequences", a few months ago, when it seemed that his submission to Bonnie and ruined his life. Even after Joan forgave him, the memory of the despair was enough to drive the painting.
It was in two parts, a device borrowed from Mrs. G's "St. Joan" painting, though this time the split was between left and right. On the right a painting of himself and Joan in bright, happy colors; on the left, virtually the same picture shadowed in gloom, with only minor changes other than the choice of color. Of course nobody but Mrs. G would recognize Joan's portrayal. Others might not even recognize it is as autobiographical, but simply the working out of an idea.
Adam took the podium. "I know it's traditional to say 'I would like to thank', but this time it's special. I would like my art teacher, Mrs. Helen Girardi, to come up here and share in the credit."
Helen emerged from the audience. Adam couldn't tell if she was upset over loosing first prize, or how much his praise compensated for that, but she looked happy, and he felt that honor was satisfied.
There had been a time, two years ago, when Adam would have reacted to a large monetary reward by chucking school. But circumstances had changed. Now graduation was seven months away, not thirty, and forgoing a diploma when it was that close was silly. Secondly, he had more friends now, friends whom it would be difficult to see if he cut himself off from school. Thirdly, he had to present a good model for Bonnie, who was constantly tempted to drop out now that she was in her fourth month. To convince her of the value of staying in school, he had to stay in himself.
Thus, two days after being acclaimed by adults in Baltimore, Adam was sitting in on a meeting that he found particularly stupid. Price had convened the senior class in the gym to discuss the Homecoming Game.
"The Homecoming Game this year falls on November 19 this year. As you all know, it is customary for the senior class to elect a Homecoming Queen to preside over the occasion. Today is September 30, end of the month. By establishing the nominations today, we can start October with the contests in place. To be a candidate, you must be nominated and seconded. Do I hear nominations?"
Listen to him, thought Adam with contempt. He twiddled his thumbs when it was a matter of giving a Muslim girl protection the day after 9/11, but he gets all excited over some stupid ritual seven weeks away.
"I nominate Elizabeth Groetzmann"
"I second."
"Do you wish to run, Miss Groetzman?" asked Price.
"Yes, sir."
That was predictable. Elizabeth was star of the drama club and loved being the center of attention. Though, to do her justice, she was a nice girl who had coached Joan in last year's musical instead of dissing her as a rival.
"Anymore?" asked Price.
"I nominate Ashley Arkwright"
"I second."
"Do you wish to run, Miss Arkwright?" asked Price.
"Of course."
Also predictable. Ashley was the center of a clique of rich girls who thought themselves the cream of the crop. She was probably going to be surprised to find out how unpopular she was outside of her little circle.
"Any more?" asked Price.
"I nominate Adam Rove," said Bonnie.
The class roared with laughter. Bonnie got to her feet, and her swelling figure made her look rather formidable. "I mean it! Adam did a very good thing, taking me in, knowing how the gesture would be misunderstood."
"Miss McLean," said Price slowly, this is a Homecoming Queen contest. Goodness has nothing to do with it. Nor do Y chromosomes. Next?"
"I nominate Grace Polk," said Maggie Begh.
There was a few seconds of startled silence.
"I second!" declared Joan.
"Do you wish to run, Miss Polk?" asked Price, still looking incredulous.
"Um, um, all right," said Grace, looking stunned.
"Very well. Are their any more nominations? Closed, then. The list of contestants for Homecoming Queen will be Elizabeth Groetzmann, Ashley Arkwright, and -- Grace Polk. The three contestants will each choose an escort for the ceremony, and we will send you descriptions of the proper outfit. Class dismissed!"
The senior class started to scatter. Adam caught up with the two Girardis.
"Where's Grace?" he asked.
"Restroom," said Joan. "She said that she had to throw up, on realizing that she had agreed to run for Homecoming Queen."
"But she did agree, didn't she? And why are you looking so glum, Luke?"
"November 19. That's my birthday! But with Homecoming falling the same day, everybody will forget me. Again!"
Joan put her hand reassuringly around her brother's waist. "Don't worry, Luke. I'll see that nobody forgets, this year."
"And to make double sure, I'll make a big poster for you to hang in your dining room where your parents will see it all the time," offered Adam.
"Thanks, guys."
"Now, let me alone with Adam, will you, bro?" teased Joan. Luke, now reassured, smiled and walked off.
Joan hugged Adam. "Mom told me about your winning the contest in Baltimore. That's wonderful, Adam."
"Thanks. How about going on a date tonight to celebrate?"
"Um, I can't. I agreed to meet with Luke and Grace tonight. To, um, study."
"On Friday night?"'
"The exam is Monday morning, and we don't want to tie up our weekend. See you tomorrow?"
It was the latest in a long series of postponements. Joan would wiggle out of a rendezvous, and say that she was meeting with her brother and/or best friend.
"Yeah."
Later that day he bumped into Grace who looked thoroughly sour. He took the risk of stopping her and asking a question. "Grace, will you be seeing Jane this evening?"
"Yeah, I'm studying and sleeping over at the Girardi's. Why?"
"Um, tell her I'd prefer a date at the Italian restaurant."
"Tell her yourself, Rove. I'm not a walking Email system."
Rude, but that was typical for Grace, and it set Adam's mind at rest.
His Jane was not seeing another boy.