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3.10b Custard is Fine

A wintertime day, so pleasant and chill
Found Rory on Main Street, a stroll to fulfill.
Her steps barely slowed as she went on her way,
Though she be caught up in a window's display.

A boy also wandered, his steps broad and true,
With eyes turned to square and benches so new.
The two, ever closer with each passing stride,
Did, quite unexpectedly, swiftly collide!

They both cried out, "Oh!" with follow-up, "Sorry!"
"I just didn't see you," confessed startled Rory.
He stumbled, "The square, it's benches are new."
"It seems that the bookstore has new novels too."

The feet of the girl did nervously shuffle,
The thoughts in her head a disorganized scuffle.
"It's weird," the girl said, with certain upset.
"What's weird?" replied Dean, as anguish beset.

It seemed she'd just seen him. He'd dropped off her stuff.
And though it was fine, she'd felt rather rough.
'Twas, just like their past, how he'd walked through her door,
Though different, it was, than ever before.

"How random it is that our paths often cross."
She shrugged both her shoulders as if at a loss.
"Well not quite so random to see you at your place..."
"Oh right, 'cause I live there. Not random, in that case."

Then "random", the word, was several times uttered.
In fact, conversation with "random" was cluttered,
'Til course of their banter became quite absurd,
Debating the usage of that little word,

'Til Dean—by decision spelled out in his thread—
Thought more deep discussion he'd rather instead.
In efforts to end their random debate,
He asked her to join him, with coffee the bait.

Surprise did arrest her—to strongest degree!
But, no harm from this, could young Rory see.
So Rory agreed they should have their discussion,
Deciding it wouldn't befit repercussion.

Quite prudently Fates put the thought into Dean:
The usual place could not set their scene.
So Dean would suggest the shop of Fran Weston,
A setting befitting a meeting clandestine.

The two took a table at bay window's side
(Once taking their time to, on tables, decide).
And Kirk soon appeared to list off the features
But swiftly was stopped due to length of procedures.

To Dean's great surprise was Rory not hungry.
She simply sat still—distressfully, humbly—
Her lips pulled too taut and her eyes filled with dread.
So, "Thank you for doing this," Dean finally said.

"Of course," she replied. "Why wouldn't I do it?"
From hesitant posture he'd quickly construe it.
"Because of discomfort," his words followed through.
"It's just circumstances. It's not 'cause of you."

She didn't deny it. She never withdrew it.
But Dean then decided he wouldn't pursue it.
Instead he began with a, "How have you been?"
From there, did discussion of college begin.

Dean mentioned receiving a new application.
Receipt of the envelope caused his frustration.
It stirred up some urges which wouldn't be prudent.
"I wanted to call you but realized I couldn't.

"I don't know," he added. "I just find it weird.
We used to talk often. Now that's disappeared.
It's hard to let go of a closeness that ends...
Is there any way that we could be friends?"

She'd gone to see Dean; she'd climbed in his tree.
He hadn't forgiven her, spurning her plea.
But now he was ready to try to be friends!
Relieved Rory was, that they'd made amends!

"I want to," she urged, "I really want to."
But common sense would, her excitement, cut through.
"But how will it work—" But Dean interjected.
Acknowledging Jess, he kind of neglected.

For turn of events, was Rory now pleased.
A part of her heart was suddenly eased.
Her hunger returned, as the plot did transpire.
He offered some pie and she jumped in the mire.