Mr. Pomfritt called on Chatsworth to read his essay next, but I couldn't have cared less about the lengthy story about how he saved the orphans from the fire. I

mean, it was heroic and all, but my mind wasn't on his essay. Nor was I listening as Maynard proudly stood and told the class about how he'd gone into the pet

store and said hello and goodbye to all of the animals. I couldn't have cared less about Mr. Pomfritt's response, letting Maynard know that simply talking to

animals wasn't a selfless act. No, my mind was on one thing-or one person, rather.

Boldly I stood and mumbled an apology to my friend Maynard. "I'm sorry, Maynard but Mr. Pomfritt, may I be excused?"

"May I ask why, Mr. Gillis?"

"There's… something I need to take care of."

"Well, all right. If you see Miss Gilroy in the hall, tell her to return to class, please."

"I will."

"Now, Adriana, will you read your essay?"

"Like no way, Mr. Pomfritt!" Maynard interrupted. "Like I wasn't finished yet!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Krebs. Please, go on."

But I raced out of the room and down the empty hallways. I didn't care if I was sent to the principal's office for not having a hall pass. I had to do what I had to

do. I rounded the corner and froze. That's when I saw her, leaning against her locker, sobbing.

It was the saddest sight I'd ever seen, for I never imagined seeing Zelda Gilroy crying. And truthfully it broke my heart.

Giving no thought to the fact that she might be mad at me, I went to her.

"Zelda.."

She looked up, paining me even further when I saw the tears in her eyes. "Oh… Dobie…"

"Zelda, I-."

But to my surprise, she threw her arms around me and kissed me. Not just any kiss. This was a kiss like in the movies. Now I'd seen Roman Holiday hundreds of

times and had always wished that I could kiss like Gregory Peck. My kiss with Zelda would have put Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn to shame. It was better

than any kiss I could have imagined. When it was over, she held me close, as though she was afraid that I would vanish. What was I supposed to do? I just stood

there in the hall, holding her against me, stroking her hair. I had no idea that Zelda Gilroy's hair was so soft; or that it smelled so good.

After a few minutes, I slowly drew back. "Look, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you."

She looked at me tearfully. "You didn't. I just never imagined… I mean, I can't believe it was you." She pulled the watch from her pocket. "I thought I'd never

see this again. My dad would have killed me."

"Your dad gave that to you?"

She nodded. "Yes. It was my grandpa's."

"It's beautiful."

"It was... I can't believe I was so careless with it. Look at it! It's broken! Dobie what am I going to do?"

At that moment I wished I had a million dollars. I would have spent it all on getting her watch fixed. Of course, the truth was that I didn't have any money.

Normally it wouldn't have surprised me, but now it really bothered me.

She was crying again; a sight that broke my heart. I held her close again and stroked her back. "Don't worry. It'll be all right."

"But how?"

"I'll make it right. Now come on, Mr. Pomfritt wants to see you."

A look of horror crossed her face. "Oh no… he's probably furious!"

"It'll be fine. Don't worry."

"But Dobie…"

"Just come on…"

I put my arm around her and smiled as she leaned against me while I led her back to the classroom.

"Do you want me to go in with you?"

She kissed my cheek as we stood at the door. "No, I'll explain it to him."

"All right, but if you need me I'll be right here."

My comment earned me another kiss and she opened the door and walked into the classroom. I couldn't help peeking through the tiny window as she spoke to

Mr. Pomfritt. I didn't know what she was saying, but I was prepared to take the blame for whatever he said she'd done wrong. After a few minutes, she turned

and headed for the door.

"Is everything all right?" I asked, holding the door open for her.

"It will be. I apologized for running out and I told him I'd read my essay tomorrow."

"I'm glad. Zelda… Can I walk you home?"

"I'd like that, Dobie."

I didn't care who was watching. I put my arm around Zelda and together we walked out of Central High School. We even stopped by Charlie Wong's Ice Cream

Parlor for chocolate sundaes.

We were almost to her house, when I had an idea. "Zelda, do you mind if we stop by the store for a few minutes?"

"No of course not."

"Thanks. It won't take long, I promise."

When we walked in, Dad started in on me about being so late and as usual, Mom reprimanded him until he backed down.

"Actually Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Does this mean you've decided to do some work?"

"Dad, this is serious!"

"So I am I!"

"Herbert-."

"All right. What is it, son?"

I looked around carefully. "Would it be all right if we talked in private?"

"Oh sure. We can talk in the storage room. And maybe, just maybe-."

"Herbert, leave the boy alone! He wants to talk to you! It's probably important! Zelda can keep me company while you talk."

"Thanks, Mom." I kissed her cheek. "It won't take long."

I ushered my dad to the stock room and closed the door.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"Dad I have a big favor to ask."

"If it involves money, the answer is N-O, NO!"

"It's not for me. Well, it is, but-."

"Well, which is it?"

I sighed. There was no getting through to my dad. I just had to start from the beginning, which is exactly what I did. I told him everything starting from when

he kicked Maynard and I out of the store to the conversation that Zelda and I had at her locker and how upset she was.

"You, uh, you really like Zelda, don't you?"

"It's not that, Dad. I just hate feeling responsible for what happened."

"Son, turning that watch in was very noble of you and Zelda turning out to be the owner, well, that's just fate in my book."

"I thought you didn't believe in that stuff."

He smiled. "I didn't until I met your mother."

"That's nice, Dad. So…"

"Of course I'll give you the money!"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing "You will?"

"Who am I to stand in the way of true love?"

"Well, its not true love yet."

"It will be."

I threw my arms around my dad (something I never did.). "Gee, thanks Dad, you're the best!"

"You're welcome, Dobie. Anytime."

"And Dad, I promise to help you in the stockroom later today."

"I'm gonna hold you to that, Boy!"

No, I hadn't lost my senses, nor was I trying to quell any guilt I felt about asking Dad for the money. I just wanted to spend time with him. After all, he was my

dad and… well, I loved him.