June 1997


Schemer lay in bed sleeplessly, staring at his ceiling. What had unfolded earlier that day had unleashed a torrent of intrusive thoughts. Losing Stacy was the last thing he wanted, he loved her too much to deny it. He had pined for too long to ignore the hurt. But it brought up other problems.

Could he watch her be happy in the arms of another man for the rest of his life?

What if they didn't last? Unlikely. He knew the feelings that she had once had for Ned. There was no way that could happen now that he wasn't standing in the way. But if they didn't, would he forgive himself for inevitably pursuing her again? It would only show how much power she had over him. And he was far too stubborn to let that show.

Did he really want to stay in this one horse town for the rest of his life collecting nickels from dusty machines?

He closed his eyes slowly. The answer was no to everything. With a sigh he rolled over, trying to get some sleep so that he could process his thoughts for the morning. He needed to talk to a certain someone before he made any decisions.

It was the summer, so his nephew didn't have school. Schemee found his uncle sitting at the kitchen table when he went downstairs for the first time that morning.

"Morning Uncle." He said casually.

No response.

"Uncle?" He asked again. "You alright?" He took in the dark circles under Schemer's eyes and slightly rumpled clothing and hair. And how he was holding a thousand yard stare with the wall.

"Uncle!" He said, sounding sharper to get his attention.

Schemer noticed his presence. "Oh hey Schemee." He said dully, taking a sip of his now cold coffee.

"What's the matter with you? You look like you haven't slept in weeks." Schemee asked with concern.

"I didn't sleep last night, I was thinking." He said dully.

"About what? How to make yourself too tired to function? Because it's working." He snarked as he got up to get some cereal.

"I want to leave Shining Time." Schemer confessed, sadness carrying through on his voice.

The bowl dropped from Schemee's hand and crashed to the floor. It went unnoticed by both of them.

"Leave? Why do you want to leave?" Schemee frowned, confusion evident on his face.

"I can't stay here anymore. Not with her." His voice was gravelly.

Schemee seemed to understand.

"Stacy?"

"Yes."

After a pregnant pause Schemee asked, "When are we leaving?"

Schemer looked up with confusion. "I thought you'd rather stay here, I have an Uncle nearby where you could stay to finish your schooling."

"You're not leaving without me, and you're crazy to think that I'd leave you alone." Schemee said stubbornly.

Schemer watched incredulously as he left the room, feeling uplifted for the first time that day.


Linkin Park - Roads Untravelled