School

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN ON HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY

"I was wondering if you would maybe want to have dinner with me next Friday?"

"Sure. Meet you at 3.14?"

"It's a date."

"I had a really great time tonight."

"Me too, David. I really like you."

"What happened after coffee anyway?"

"We told each other we liked each other and than I got out of her car."

"So are you ever going to drive again?"

"Michael, I can't even get in a car without being scared shitless that I'm gonna get in an accident."
"The best way to conquer a fear is by looking it dead in the face."

"You know, I was thinking that I could always get a ride to work with Rabbi Lewitt. We live right on the way for him."
"So you'll save on gas?"
"Well, this way you can have the Prius to take to school and to work."
"You're giving me the Prius?"

"You still bought the pill, so I can't give you your money back."
"Fine. But Don't ever try to sell drugs to me again, because if you do, I'm going to kick your ass."

"David, he kissed me."
"And you kissed him back. No matter what you say about it, it all comes down to the choice you made to kiss him back."

"David, I'm going to England for a semester."

"England, huh?"

"Only for a semester. Besides, there's really nothing here to keep me from going. That's why I asked you if you wanted to get back together. It would have been a reason to stay."

"Have a great semester."

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"Jake!"

It was my brother Jake's first day of high school, and my first day of senior year, and things were already starting off on the wrong foot.

"Can't I sleep for just ONE more hour?"

"Sure, if you want to ride the bus."

"School doesn't start until 7:30! Why are you waking me up two hours later?"

"Because I like to get there early, and besides, it's going to be a jungle this morning with everyone getting their schedules. So if you don't want to be trampled on by angry upperclassmen, I suggest you get your ass up!"

"OKAY, OKAY!"

After we were dressed, we quietly went downstairs, ate breakfast, and got in my dad's prius to begin another exciting year at Summit Peak High School.

My name is David, and I'm a normal high school student.

But it wouldn't be long before that title would change to normal college student and than just normal.

When we got to school, Jake and I were greeted by my three best buds, Michael Florence, Aaron Stanwick, and Mark Adams.

"Aww, did the wittle boy want to come wif his big bwuver to see the big high school?"

"I go here now, dumbass."

"Oh David, look how he's grown!"

"Yes, he's definitely not a little boy anymore."

"Are you guys retarded?"

"Jake, go find some other freshmen to play with if you can't play nicely with the seniors."

"You guys are so weird! Kristen, wait up!"

So Jake went galloping toward his friend Kristin, and I didn't see him for the rest of the school day.

"They just grow up so fast!"

"They really do."

We proceeded to exchange schedules. I had AP Government with Aaron, and Pre-Calculus with Michael. Of course we all had choir together. Mark had a half-day and none of us had any other classes with him.

"So Mark, is your mom gonna pick you up from school? 'Cause you know there's not a bus at lunch."

"Well, Leah Grayson offerred to give me rides home as long as I give her rides home--if you know what I mean."

"Mark, doesn't it get kind of old having sex with all of these different women."

Mark pondered this for a moment.

"Um, no."

And the moment was gone.

"Hey, boys."

Michael's girlfriend Leslie Lawrence had arrived.

"Hey babe. What's your schedule look like?"

"Well, it's a light blue color and has black text."

"Hey, it looks like you have government with Aaron and me."

"Yeah, and we all got Mr. Jackson again! Sweet!"

"I pity all of you, with your AP classes and your full days."

"Actually, I have a half-day."

"Hey, me too! Do you think you could give me rides home after school?"

"Sure, you live really close to me. I could give you rides to school too if you want."

"Wow, that'd be great. Thanks, Les!"

"No problem. It'll be better than getting rides from Leah Grayson. You don't want to know where that thing's been!"

It was actually really nice to be back at school. Things at home were more complicated than usual with my dad moving back in. He was only gone for three months, but it still took a little getting used to being that my mom was trying to figure out how to trust him again and I was figuring out how to even like him again. Giving me the prius was sort of a step, but it was only a small one, and we had a lot of work yet to do on our relationship.

DING DONG DING DONG

"I guess I'll see you guys in choir."

"Yeah. See you in Gov, Dave."

"Okay. Come on Michael, we don't want to be late for the GREATEST subject in the entire world."

"Oh yeah, I wanna be the FIRST ONE THERE!"

"Have a nice first half of your day, honey. I love you."

"I love you, too."

The first half of the day went by really slowly. Mostly it was a day for receiving syllabi and learning what exciting things we would be learning this year. It was almost strange that it was our last year of high school; our last year of going to the social hell-hole full of cliques and paperwork that required a parent signature. I didn't feel like a senior. I didn't really think I looked like one, either. I felt like at any minute someone was going to mistake me for a freshman.

First period had gone by pretty smoothly, and second period was bound to be just as smooth. After all, I had Leslie and Aaron there, and Mr. Jackson was teaching it, which meant it would be a good year. But when I walked into the classroom--

"--I know you won't be disappointed. There's nothing like coke on a stressful day."

I wasn't sure if my shock was brought on by the sheer presence of Steve Weiss or if it was the fact that he was selling cocaine out in the open. Whatever it was, I felt as though my jaw was on the ground.

"Dave, let's sit up there."

"Okay."

Steve and I exchanged glances and Aaron and I took our seats in the front right-hand corner while Steve sat in the back left-hand corner by the door.

"I didn't even realize he was smart enough to be in AP Government."

"He's probably smarter than most of the kids at school. He has never even been suspected of drug trafficking."

"How? He does it right there in the open!"

"Maybe he only carries one stash at a time so that in case he is caught he has no evidence."

"Clever."

Mr. Jackson gave us our syllabus, explained it, and than we went to third period, and than to choir. Our 25 year-old teacher, Miss Connolly, was in a really good mood. I guess it was that first-day glow.

"WELCOME TO CHOIR!"

Definitley a first-day thing.

"I'm Miss Connolly, and coming around is the choir handbook. We are going to go over it today so that we can have fun the rest of the week. So, choir is..."

As Miss Connolly went through the content of the handbook, the four of us looked around the room at the new faces. There were a LOT more people than last year, especially in terms of males.

"The guy to girl ratio is completely different!"

"Mark, be a leader."

"Sorry, Miss C."

There were some new girls, too. Some beautiful new girls, if I may say so myself.

"Do you have a question?"

"No, I'm letting my nails dry."

"I'm sorry, what's your name?"

"Mal Wales."

"Oh yes, Mallorie. I've heard a lot about you. Welcome to choir."

"Thanks, but in all seriousness, I do have a question."

"Oh, I'm sorry, what's up?"

"Well, it says here that we'll be wearing panty hose?"

"Yes..."

"Um, I don't own any."

"Than go buy them. Moving on..."

Mal Wales was very punk rock and actually really pretty too. She had an attitude, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but overall she wasn't really my type. I really wanted to be friends with her, though.

Before we knew it, the bell rang again and it was time for lunch. On our way out, we caught a glimpse of one of the new beauties talking to Miss Connolly.

"I just want to thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be in this choir. I know that I'm only a sophomore, but I know that I can handle anything you put in front of me."

"Well I saw a lot of potential in you when you auditioned, Lupe. Have a great rest of your day."

Lupe Gonzales emerged from the choir office and we could hear the voices of a million people resound in the most beautiful chord we had ever heard.

"I think I'm in love!"

"Mark, you're not in love."

"But she's HOT!!!"

"So am I, but Michael didn't fall for me based on my good looks."

"And all thoughout choir she was eye-fucking the shit out of me."

"You didn't even notice her until the end of class."

"You don't know what I notice. You're not me!"

"Mark, you'll just have to wait and see what happens. In the meantime, find someone else to have sex with. I'm sure you have plenty of candidates."

"But I want to have sex with THAT one!"

"And maybe someday you will. But for now, take it one day at a time."

DING DONG DING DONG

"Well, there's no use staying around. Come on, Mark."

"Okay. Bye everyone."

"Call me later, Michael."

"I will."

My next stop was journalism, and then I would end my day in jazz choir. Mark wasn't much of a jazz singer, so he felt no guilt for missing out on the festivities.

As Mrs. Beasely took attendance, I thought about my first day. I could already tell that this was going to be a good year for everyone: Michael and Leslie were more inseparable and nauseating than ever, Mark was possibly on the verge of monogamy with Lupe (at least for one night), and Aaron continued to exert his confidence in his Mormon opinion. And when things calmed down a little bit at my house, than there was a chance that I might actually enjoy spending time with my family. Not to mention Joy was in England for the semester, which meant that the possibility of relationship drama was limited.

"I am so sorry I'm late! I had to talk to my counselor about some scheduling things. But I'm here now. Callie Anderson."

Then again, high school without drama is just not normal.

David Adler

Normal High School Student

Shut Up and Drive

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN ON HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY

"Would you like to go out for Coffee sometime?"

"Sure. When would you want to meet?"

"Do you have anything going on right now?"

"I think I can squeeze you in. My car is parked over there. Let's go to the Coffee Plantation. They have the BEST coffee."

"Michael, I'm not going to date this girl. I just want to talk to her."

"David, listen. Getting yourself into what could turn into a relationship is not a good idea for someone who has just kicked a very bad addiction."

"Don't go yet!"
"What was that?"
"I'm sorry, it's just that my accident happened when I was at a green arrow."

"David, that was some stupid drunk driver."

"What, people don't drive drunk during the day?"

"You're not over Joy."
"Come again?"

"David, it makes perfect sense. You ask a very do-able girl out and take her to the one place that you're bound to see your ex. And why? To make the latter jealous."

"I had a really great time tonight."
"Me too, David. I really like you."

"What are you doing here? How did you know I was at the Coffee Plantation?"
"I saw it on your Facebook page and thought, I just had to come surprise you."

"You guys fucked!"

"I realized that religion was not going to keep me away from my problems. It's not a cure-all, you know. All that having faith does is give you something to believe in. God gave us all brains, and for the past 30 years I haven't been using mine right."

"Hello?"
"Hi, Joy."
"David! Hi!"
"I was wondering if you would maybe want to have dinner with me next Friday?"
"Sure. Meet you at 3.14?"
"It's a date."

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"It's about fucking time."

Immediately after I called Joy Harris, my ex-girlfriend, I called Mark Adams, one of my best friends. He, along with our other friends Aaron Stanwick and Michael Florence, had been eagerly awaiting the time when I would finally deal with everything that happened before the car accident.

I had gotten closure with Cal, my deadbeat dad who was slowly picking up the pieces of his life again, and now I was finally going to get closure with Joy. She had cheated on me with her best friend/ex-lover Jamie, causing our dramatic break-up at the end of prom. But that was three months ago, and I could finally put it all in the past.

My name is David, and I'm a normal high school student.

And for the first time since my accident, things were starting to be normal again.

First of all, now that I wasn't afraid of seeing Joy, the guys and I were free to go to the Coffee Plantation, home of the best coffee in the world (or hot chocolate in Aaron's case).

"It's so good to be back! I feel like we haven't been here in forever."

"We were just here the other night saving David from himself."

"Oh yeah."

"Need I remind you that there was never anyone to save from himself?"

"No, because you'd be lying if you said that. What happened after coffee anyway?"

"Nothing. We went to 3.14, saw a movie, and that was the end of it."

The guys looked at me suspiciously.

"And we told each other we liked each other and than I got out of her car."

"Classic! Fucking in the car!"

"We didn't even kiss, Mark."

"Dude, you don't tell a girl you like her and than not kiss her! I thought I taught you better than that!"

"We almost kissed, but then Jake called to tell me that Cal was in the emergency room, and the rest is history."

"So when is your dad moving back in?"

"He started today. He'll be all moved in by the end of the week."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"I have a shrink to ask me that, remember?"

"Oh yeah. But how do you feel?"

"I don't really know yet. I guess I'll figure it out when he's all settled in."

After a couple more hours of our bromantic banter, Michael and I went out to his car so he could drive me home. We got in and he started the car. Everything really was becoming more or less the way it was before the accident. All except for one thing.

"So are you ever going to drive again?"

I thought for a moment about his question.

"I haven't really thought about it. I haven't needed to drive."

"Don't you think it's time that you tried?"

"Michael, I can't even get in a car without being scared shitless that I'm gonna get in an accident."

"The best way to conquer a fear is by looking it dead in the face."

We were silent for a minute while I thought about what he was saying. I hadn't driven since the night of the accident, nor did I want to drive ever again.

"Okay, get out."

Michael and I both got out of his Jeep Wrangler while he left it running. He walked over to the passenger side and opened the door, letting himself into the passenger seat.

"What are you doing?"

"Helping you conquer your fear. Get in the driver's seat."

"Michael, is this really necessary?"

"Just get your ass in the driver's seat."

"Okay."

I walked over and stepped up into the car. As I put on my seat belt, I was remembered every time I had put my seatbelt on. My first parking lot lesson, my first time in traffic, the first day I got my license, and of course the last time I had sat in the driver's seat. I sat there for a minute or two thinking about it before Michael broke into my train of thought.

"Okay, put the car in reverse. Okay, put it in drive, and go."

I put my foot on the gas pedal and drove forward. I realized that driving was like riding a bicycle. No matter how long you go without doing it, you never forget how. I remembered to break into my turns and how to change lanes. We blasted some Sinatra from the speakers as we cruised down Shea Boulevard. We came to a freeway entrance, where I gladly entered and cruised down the 101 all the way to Tatum. We were having a good time. I was reminded of why I used to love driving so much.

Then came the left turn that I would have to make off of the freeway and on to Tatum Boulevard. I stopped at a red arrow and waited. My palms began to sweat as I waited for it to turn into a green arrow. I stayed stopped as it changed from bright red to bright green. After hesitating for a couple seconds, I eased into the turn, aware of every other driver on the road. I took a deep breath as I drove through the turn, trying not to give into the image of a pair of headlights heading toward Rebellion the Pontiac. Once I was out of the intersection, I exhaled and wiped one of my drenched hands on my shorts.

"Are you okay?"

"I will be once I get some more practice with left turns. It was the green arrow. I felt like I couldn't trust the people on the other side."

"That's why they tell us to be defensive drivers."

We finally got to my house and I turned the car off.

"Thank you, Michael."

"Hey, anytime you wanna drive her, you can. Just call first, and make sure I'm in the front seat."

I felt strange when I walked through my front door. It felt so good to be driving again. For the first time all summer, I felt independent.

Cal was laying down on the couch when I walked in.

"Hello, David."

"Hi, Cal."

"How was your day?"
"It was fine. I drove a little bit."

"Did you, now? Which car?"

"Michael's. It was his idea."

"That was nice of him. You know, I was thinking that I could always get a ride to work with Rabbi Lewitt. We live right on the way for him."

"So you'll save on gas?"

"Well, this way you can have the Prius to take to school and to work."

"You're giving me the Prius?"

"Well, I'll still need it to go to class on Tuesday and Thursday nights, but other than that, it's your's."

"Wow. Thanks, Cal. Um, I should go to my room and read some more. Two weeks of summer left and I still have to read a whole book."

As I attempted to focus on the words of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, I thought about Cal's proposition. There had to be some sort of catch. This was my father we were talking about.

The next few days went by slowly. Starting on Monday, I was working eight-hour shifts every day. I was trying to soak up all of the hours I could get before school started and my hours would be extremely limited. Steve Weiss, my drug-dealing co-worker, was currently in L.A. for a family vacation, so I had the floor pretty much all to myself. The work was easy and I was being paid $7.75 for every hour I worked, so even though it was long and somewhat boring, it was worth the money I was making.

Before I knew it, it was Friday night, the night that I was meeting Joy at 3.14. Cal dropped me off and I walked inside.

I was just there a week prior, but it seemed different. The atmosphere and the circumstances by which I made my entrance vastly differed from last week when I was on my date with Callie. I walked past the sign that said "Seat Yourself" and there she was sitting at our usual table in the corner. Her hair was a little longer and styled a little differently, but it was definitely Joy.

"David!"

"Hi, Joy!"

We hugged before I sat down. We ordered waters and a medium cheese pizza with extra cheese before we started catching up.

"So how was your summer?"

"It was really good. Went to New York City."

"Really? How was it?"

"Everything I always dreamed it would be. I just want to go there right now. How was your summer?"

"It was interesting. After the accident, things sort of took a turn for the worst."

"Yeah, Mark told me about the accident."

"Really? I didn't know you guys talked."

"We don't. He just informed me."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Um, he also told me that you had been in rehab."

"Yeah. Six weeks."

"Why were you there?"

"After the accident I got addicted to pain pills. I'm better now, though. Been going to N.A. and seeing a shrink once a week."

"That's good."

Things were starting to get awkward now. I knew that they would at some point in the evening, but I didn't realize that it would happen this soon.

"So, are you seeing anyone?"

Yeah, that's gonna make it less awkward.

"Not really. Went out with this one girl last week, but I don't think anything's going to come from it. I don't know if I really want anything to come from it."

"Oh. I see."

And the awkwardness continues.

"So, how's Jamie doing?"

Joy choked on her water with the mention of his name. She must have been surprised.

"Actually, I haven't talked to him all summer."

"Really? Why?"

"Well, being that he was the reason that you and I broke up, I couldn't bear to be around him."

"Wow. I figured you guys would have started dating once I was out of the picture."

And here it was; the most awkward moment of the night.

"Why would you say that?"

"Well, being that you did cheat on me with him, I figured you would want to be with him."

"David, he kissed me."

"And you kissed him back. No matter what you say about it, it all comes down to the choice you made to kiss him back."

Joy looked stunned.

"David, why did you ask me out to dinner?"

"To get some closure on our relationship. Why did you think I wanted to have dinner with you?"

She gave me that stunned look again.

"I don't know. I guess part of me thought that maybe you wanted to get back together?"

Now I was stunned.

"Look, Joy, if prom had never happened, if you had never told me what you had done or even done it in the first place, then we would probably still be together. But you kissed him, so I can't be with you."

"David, I made a mistake. I love you, and I feel so horrible about what I did, but you have to understand that things--"

"--just happen, I know, you've said it before."

"So, if you understand, then why can't we get back together?"

"Because things don't just happen. Things happen because you want them to happen. Saying that it just happened is an excuse and regardless of whether it happened accidentally or on purpose, it happened. If this 'just happened' as you claim it did, how can I trust that it won't 'just happen' again with another guy?"

"Because it won't."

"How do you know? How do I know?"

She looked into my eyes. As much as she wanted me to be wrong, she knew that I was right. The pizza came and we ate in silence for a little while. Finally she broke the silence.

"I really am sorry about how things ended."

"Me too."

We finished, paid, and went outside to wait for her mom.

"So, I'm really glad that we got to do this."

"Me too. There's my mom."

"Okay. So I guess I'll see you around?"

"David, I'm going to England for a semester."

That was unexpected.

"England, huh?"

"Yeah, it's this amazing music program. If I succeed there, I'm a shoe-in to get into Juliard."

"Wow, I just can't believe you're leaving."

"Only for a semester. Besides, there's really nothing here to keep me from going. That's why I asked you if you wanted to get back together. It would have been a reason to stay."

I was in complete shock. But there was only one thing I could say about it.

"Have a great semester."

We hugged, and she got in her mom's car.

The next day, I didn't have to go to work until 2. I woke up early and asked Cal's permission to drive the Prius for a little bit. It was the first time I had been in the car by myself since the accident.

I backed out of the driveway, trying carefully not to hit my mom's car or the garage wall. After I backed out, I put her in drive and made a left turn onto Tatum.

I was cautious at first, but after a few minutes I really eased into it and started enjoying it. It was one of those drives where you really have a chance to think about things. I thought about everything that had happened since prom; the break-up, the accident, the addiction, the date, and finally, the closure that I needed to move on with my life. As awkward as dinner with Joy was, it was necessary.

In some strange way, it was the perfect ending to the most tumultuous summer of my life.

David Adler

Normal High School Student

Let Love In

PREVIOUSLY WRITTEN ON HIGH SCHOOL NORMALITY

"I'm David, and I'm a narcotics addict."

"Hi, David."

"Is he always like that?"

"Unfortunately, yeah. You'll get used to him, though. I'm David."

"Yeah, I know. I read your column in the school newspaper every month."

"Really? I thought everyone made hats out of The Sentinal."

"Oh, they do. But they read your column first. I'm Steve."

"Steve Weiss is bad news."
"What's so bad about him? He seems really nice. Odd--very, very odd--but nice."
"Well, he probably forgot to mention that he sells drugs."

"Look Steve, I don't know what you heard, but I don't do that stuff."
"Why? Afraid you'll end up in rehab again?"
"Um, I think that's a pretty legitimate fear."
"David, just take one pill. I'm sure you're feeling some pain right now."

"You are the only guy for me, and no matter how many hot guys I see on the beach in Florida, none of them will hold a candle to you."

"I want my money back."

"You still bought the pill, so I can't give you your money back."
"Fine. But don't ever try to sell drugs to me again, because if you do, I'm going to kick your ass."

"Would you like to go out for Coffee sometime?"
"Sure. When would you want to meet?"
"Do you have anything going on right now?"
"I think I can squeeze you in. My car is parked over there. Let's go to the Coffee Plantation. They have the BEST coffee."

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"You've really never seen The Dark Knight?"

I laughed about what I had just revealed to Callie, a beautiful girl I met at N.A.

"Not EVERYONE has seen that movie."

"But it was Heath Ledger's final performance! He won an OSCAR for it!"

"Because he was dead."

She shot me a dirty look, but it was a playful dirty look.

"Well, for your information, there was Oscar buzz before he died."

"There was Oscar buzz about the Hannah Montana movie, but that doesn't mean they were serious. It's how they get you to see the movie. And I guarantee you that there were bandwagon fans at that movie theatre who saw it for one reason and one reason only--Heath Ledger."

"Well, I can tell you that I am not a bandwagon fan. I actually enjoy Batman."

Callie and I were on our way to the Coffee Plantation to talk, drink some coffee, and just chill--but it was NOT a date.

My name is David, and I'm a normal high school student.

And going out with a new friend who just happens to be of the opposite sex is normal.

However, my best friends, Michael Florence, Aaron Stanwick, and Mark Adams would disagree.

"I just got a text from David. He said that he's going out for coffee with that N.A. chick."

"Seriously? Does he not listen when I speak to him?"

"Maybe he's too busy trying to decipher what it is that you're saying."

"He just texted me again and said that it's not a date."

"The hell it isn't."

The next thing I knew, I got a text from Michael.

"w/e it is ur doin, get urself out."

I rolled my eyes.

"What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. My friend just texted me."

"What did he say?"

"He wants me to get out of AP classes. He thinks they're ruining my life."

"Only if you don't do them the right way. I'm using my AP classes to get into NYU."

"NYU, huh? What are you going to study?"

"I don't know yet. Journalism, art, maybe anthropology."

"That's a broad list."

"Yeah, well, this year is about deciding what I really want to do."

"Good idea. I have no clue what I want to do or where I want to go."

"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

We pulled into the shopping center where the UPS Store and the Coffee Plantation were. I had been in the same parking lot a day prior, but I hadn't been in this section of the parking lot since before prom. It all looked so different; as if there was some big construction job done to it. But then I saw two familiar cars close by. A red truck and a green Jeep Wrangler. Was it a coincidence?

"Is something wrong?"

"No. I was just--thinking."

"About what?"

"Nothing important. Let's go inside."

So many things were running through my head at that very moment. Why were the guys there? Would my ex-girlfriend Joy be working tonight? And did Callie realize that this wasn't a date?

As we walked into the Coffee Plantation, I braced myself. The door felt heavy as I held it for Callie. With a swift motion toward the counter, I noticed that Joy wasn't there. I sighed out of relief as I follwed Callie to a table.

"I'll go get the drinks. What do you want?"

"Oh, I'll pay for myself."

"No, I've got it."

"Well, in that case, I'll take an espresso with sugar and cream."

"Alright, I'll be right back."

As I walked to the counter, I thought about the evening as it had played out so far. Was it a date? And if it wasn't, why was I making it like a date? Holding the door, paying, what was next?

"Jesus!"

I was pulled into the hallway where the bathrooms were.

"Got him!"

"I knew those were your cars out there! What the hell are you guys doing here?"

"Stopping you from making a very big mistake."

"I told you, it's not a good idea to get involved with someone right now."

"Get involved--you guys are ridiculous! I'm just going out for coffee with a friend. I do have other friends besides the three of you."

"But why the Coffee Plantation? You said you would never come here again."

"And you said that Faye Winston was the one. Things change."

My friends looked at me, but not in anger or disgust. It was a look of curiosity. Finally, Mark spoke.

"You're not over Joy."

"Come again?"

"David, it makes perfect sense. You ask a very do-able girl out and take her to the one place that you're bound to see your ex. And why? To make the latter jealous."

"Callie was the one who suggested that we come here. I just--didn't say no."

"Because you're not over Joy."

"It doesn't even matter. She's not here."

"Really, because I'm pretty sure she just stepped behind the register."

I turned my head quickly and saw that it was indeed Joy at the counter.

"Shit, what do I do?"

"Well, do you want to deal with it like a man, or do you want to leave and continue to shove it under the rug?"

Michael was right. I had tried to leave all of the baggage that came with our break-up at the baggage claim, but there's a reason that you always put your address on the luggage tag. No matter where you leave it, your baggage always returns to its rightful place.

On the otherhand, I could always deal with it later. I wasn't really in the mood for coffee anyway. In fact, I was kind of hungry.

I returned to the table empty-handed.

"I expected coffee to come with you."

"Well, I was thinking, would you want to go out for dinner instead?"

"Sure. I don't have to be home for a while. Where do you want to go?"

"There's this great pizza place, 3.14. It's not far from here. If you don't mind driving more, would you want to head over there?"

"Yeah. I don't mind driving at all. In fact, I enjoy the company."

We made our escape. I don't think Joy saw us, but if she had, I didn't care. I didn't belong to her anymore.

"I can't believe he's still avoiding it."

"I can. It was his first break-up, his first relationship, his first love. Who wants to deal with that?"

RING RING RING

"Speaking of first loves."

"Hey, babe! How's Florida? What do you mean look outside and ask for yourself? Okay...I'm walking to the door of the Coffee Plantation...I'm opening the door of the Coffee Plantation...I'm outside the--OH MY GOD!"

Michael's girlfriend Leslie Lawrence had come home from Florida early and surprised Michael. According to Mark, Michael lifted her up in the air, spun her, and passionately kissed her.

"What are you doing here? How did you know I was at the Coffee Plantation?"

"I saw it on your Facebook page and thought, I just had to come surprise you. Did you miss me?"

"More than you know."

As they started kissing again, Mark made a very odd observation.

"You guys fucked!"

They stopped kissing and looked at Mark.

"Um--how would you know that?"

"Because, you guys act like you haven't seen each other in years, which means that neither of you feel like you've had sex in a very long time, thus you guys are horny for each other, and that level of horniness occurs only if you've fucked before."

"Oh. Well, yeah, we had sex."

"And it was great. Why didn't we start having sex earlier?"

"It wasn't the right time."

While Michael and Leslie continued to revel in their love for each other, Callie and I arrived at 3.14. It was where Joy and I had our first date, and where the guys and I took Jamie for lunch that day. A lot of memories were held here, but the pizza was so good that I was able to forget about all of the memories and focus on Callie. What new memories would come out of our relationship?

"So, David, I know a lot about you now, but what about your family?"

Months earlier, Joy had asked me the same question, and because of my answer, our first date was ruined. I had to think of how to answer this.

"They're okay. My dad left at the end of the school year, so now it's just my mom, my sister, my brother, and me."

"Why'd your dad leave?"

"Who knows? It could be any number of reasons. He's apparently going to be a rabbi now, though."

"Oh, so you're Jewish?"

"Yeah, but I'm not sure how much I believe in all of it. I mean, I believe in God, but how likely is it that he parted the red sea?"

"Well, God works in mysterious ways."

"I'll drink to that."

We lifted our water glasses and clanked them together.

"So, what about your family?"

"Well, my parents are both writers. My dad is my biggest inspiration, actually. He always says to write what I know and that one day I will know everything. I'm really lucky to have him--both of them."

I thought about what Callie was saying. It was almost impossible to remember a time when I actually liked my dad. He was a deadbeat, and when the going got too tough, he just walked away. I didn't hate my father, but I had no respect for him. There was a difference there, right?

After dinner, it was still kind of early, so we decided to see a movie. It wasn't the most amazing film I had ever seen, but I was happy seeing it with Callie. Being with her made me feel like I did before the accident, before prom, before Jamie ruined everything.

On the way home, we continued talking about all kinds of things--movies, music, books, vacation spots. When we arrived at my house, I leaned in very close to her.

"I had a really great time tonight."

"Me too, David. I really like you."

We leaned in closer to each other.

"I like you too, Callie."

We closed our eyes, and just as our lips were about to touch--

RING RING RING

My 14 year-old brother, Jake, was calling.

"Excuse me. Hello?"

"David, whre are you?"

"I'm right outside the house. What's up?"

"It's Dad. He collapsed in the middle of Shabbat services."

"Oh my God! Is he alright?"

"We don't know. We're about to go to the hospital, and since you're home now, you can come too."

"Okay. I'll be right inside."

I looked at Callie apologetically.

"What's going on?"

"My dad's in the hospital. I've gotta go. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright. I'll see you around."

We hugged awkwardly and I got out of the car. As I walked to the front porch, I thought about our evening. It was a date. There was no doubt about that. The question was whether I was going to have another date with her. We had forgotten to exchange phone numbers, and there was no guarantee that she'd be at the next N.A. meeting. I turned around and her car was gone. I may have missed my only shot with her.

Cal was waiting at the hospital. He was in a comfortable looking bed, and some very attractive nurses were attending to him.

"Oh look, my family's here. Thanks for all of the help, ladies."

The nurses left and Jake, Libby, and I approached our father.

"Hello, Cal."

"Hello, David. Jake, Libby."

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better now that you're all here. Where's your mother?"

"In the waiting room. She'll come in when the three of us leave."

"What happened?"

"I was davening and all of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe. Next thing I knew, I blacked out and woke up here."

"But you're feeling better now."

"Yes I am."

It was silent for a minute. I looked at my father, who was obviously vulnerable and upset. It was the only time I had ever seen him where he actually seemed real.

"I decided tonight that becoming a Rabbi was not the right thing to do."

I couldn't believe that he actually admitted that he had done something wrong.

"I realized that religion was not going to keep me away from my problems. It's not a cure-all, you know. All that having faith does is give you something to believe in. God gave us all brains, and for the past 30 years I haven't been using mine right."

I was in shock. I think that all three of us were.

"So, does this mean that you're coming home?"

"If your mother will allow me to, I would like to. And I'll have a chack for the rent every month."

"With what job?"

"Rabbi Lewitt was able to get me a job teaching at Levi Dershowitz Jewish Community High School. I'll be teaching a class about different perspectives of religion. Rabbi Lewitt felt that it was a good place to start."

"And credentials?"

"I enrolled in PVCC yesterday. Got a scholarship, too."

"Wow, Cal, I'm really impressed."

"How about calling me Dad?"

"One step at a time."

"Hey guys, let's go so Mom can come in."

I hadn't completely forgiven him, but it was a start. If my mom would let him back in the house, Cal and I could work on our relationship, and maybe even have the same relationship that we had when I was a kid.

The funny thing about baggage is that you always carry it with you, but you can unpack it any time. You can deal with your problems or you can sweep them under the rug. You can fight the battles worth fighting or forfeit the ones that are yours to win. You can pretend that your ex-girlfriend doesn't exist, or you could get together with her over a large pizza and talk about your relationship.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Joy."

"David! Hi!"

"I was wondering if you would maybe want to have dinner with me next Friday?"

"Sure. Meet you at 3.14?"

"It's a date."

Only this time, unlike dinner with Callie, this really wasn't a date.

David Adler

Normal High School Student