It was well after midnight

It was well after midnight. Dr. Jones sat at the desk in his study, dozens of homework assignments scattered around him, only half of them graded, or even read. His arms where positioned behind his head in a relaxed pose. At first Shorty thought his father was asleep. But as he was turning to go back to bed, Dr. Jones spoke.

"You too, huh?" he opened his eyes from his meditating.

Shorty nodded, entering the small office. "Every time I'm about to fall asleep, my dang brain starts thinking again."

The archaeologist smiled, but the tiredness showed in his eyes. "I can't believe I'm even considering Marion right now."

"I think you always have." Shorty said, taking a chance with being so open for once.

"Yeah," Dr. Jones sighed, rubbing his forehead, "probably true. I just don't know. I was so sure before, and now one inexperienced counselor and a stubborn teenager have bowled me right over. I have no idea what I want anymore."

"That reminds me.." Shorty removed a stack of books from a dusty wooden chair in the corner of the office. "I thought counselors weren't supposed to tell what their patients said?"

"He didn't."

"But you-"

"Let's just say he was walking on the line, there. He told me that you were more concerned than he thought I realized. He also said that, in order to make you more comfortable with the idea, maybe I should think it over more seriously before I make a move towards marriage." Dr. Jones let out a large yawn.

"What does Marion look like?"

It was an unexpected question for the older man, that much was obvious by the silence that followed. At last, with some reluctance to talk about her, he said, "She had beautiful black hair and dancing brown eyes."

Shorty sat, listening patiently. He didn't know why he had asked about Ms. Ravenwood. But he was so curious, he really couldn't help himself.

"And let me tell you," Dr. Jones continued, producing a wry smile, "She was as stubborn as a teenaged mule. There was no arguing with Marion, that's for sure. You could try to convince her that your idea was better, but you could never all out argue. She'd win every time."

Shorty smiled, trying to picture this woman in his head. "Indy?" It was yet another unexpected gesture. Shorty very rarely called his father 'Indy'.

"Yeah?" came the tired response a few moments later.

"Why'd you leave Marion?"

Silence reigned over the messy office once again. Seconds, and then finally minutes passed with no response. Shorty began to wonder if his father had fallen asleep. He stood quietly and began to exit the office.

"There's no good reason." Indy admitted at last.

Shorty reentered the office, but remained standing, leaning on the door frame. He waited for Dr. Jones to continue.

"I shouldn't have. That's really all there is to it." Indy shrugged, standing slowly from his office chair. "I'm going to grade the rest of these in the morning. I'll get up early."

Shorty didn't think this was a very safe idea, but he decided not to criticize. "I'll make sure you get up early enough."

"I bet you will." The older Jones muttered, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"What are you going to do about Willie?" Shorty couldn't resist one more question.

"I don't know." Said Indy, only half paying attention now. He was probably trying to get the matter off his mind so he could get some sleep. "Tell you what... Let's have her over tomorrow, 'kay?"

"Think you're ready?"

"Ready enough." Indy said, as though he were a rodeo rider, about to try his luck with a two ton bull.

Shorty pulled himself testily out of bed, his sight still blurred with sleep. He changed quickly into the same school clothes he'd worn the day before. He was too tired to bother searching for a new outfit to wear.

The teen crept into his father's room and stifled a laugh. He was the picture of exhaustion, but somehow, instead of feeling sorry for Dr. Jones, he found it a highly amusing scene.

Indy's form lay under the covers of his king size bed, his head buried under his pillow. His left arm hung limply over the side of the bed and his deep breathing, though muffled from under the pillow, could still be heard.

"Wakie, wakie, Dr. Jones." Shorty said pleasantly, yanking the pillow off his father's head. His victim opened one eye every so slightly. "I'm up." He lied.

"Whatever you say." Shorty grinned and exited the room, in search of breakfast.

As he was cooking himself an egg, cheese and ham omelet, the phone began to ring. "Go away." Shorty growled, picking up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Hi, Shorty! I didn't expect you to answer." It was Sabrina.

It's like she's stalking me or something.

"Oh, hey Sabrina." Shorty walked towards his pan of quickly overcooking eggs, but the cord wouldn't quite reach.

"I was wondering if you wanted to meet me outside my house so we could walk to school together?"

Shorty considered for a moment. If he ate quickly, they'd have plenty of time to reach the campus before classes began. "Sure, give me about ten minutes."

"Great, see you soon." A soft click sounded from Sabrina's end and Shorty hung up the receiver. He was just in time to save his eggs from becoming completely unappetizing.

"Hey, where's mine?" Indy asked, entering the kitchen sleepily. He was technically 'ready' for school, but personally, Shorty didn't think he was mentally up to it.

"There aren't enough holidays." The teacher muttered, preparing to cook himself a piece of toast.

Shorty shook his head, his eyes twinkling. "Would you like me to teach your class today?" He asked innocently.

"Oh, shush."

"Dr. Jones, Sabrina wanted me to walk to school with her today."

"Ok," Indy glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall, "you better get out of here if you want to be on time."

"I'm going." Shorty gulped one more mouthful of his omelet, grabbing his book bag on the way out. "Seeya!" He called over his shoulder.

When he reached his friend's house, he could see her waiting patiently for him, her hair blowing slightly in the breeze.

"Hi." Shorty took Sabrina's bag from her without another word. She smiled at him appreciatively and the two set off for the campus.

"So, can you explain to me what's going on, now? If you want to talk about it, of course. I won't bother you about it again if you'd rather not."

"Thanks. I think Dr. Jones is pretty confused right now. He was going to marry Willie, but now he's re-interested in a lady he used to be with years back." Shorty shrugged. "I don't know what'll happen, but I'm not nearly so fussed over it now."

"Well, that's good to hear, at least." Sabrina had to take two steps for each of Shorty's to match pace with him. Though he was shorter then most young men, he walked quickly.

"I know that whatever the numbskull decides to do, it'll work out." He said simply.