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Note: I checked on the Internet Movie Database to get a name for Aldys' friend, the one who tells Josie how old she is in the lunchroom scene. All it says is Denominator, so I named him David, after my best friend. :)
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Wednesday morning Josie woke up late and scrambled to get ready for her meeting with Gus. She wasn't used to all the late nights she'd had lately. Not that she was complaining, she thought, thinking about Sam showing up at the club last night as well as all their recent phone conversations that had lasted well into the night.
This morning, she didn't even have time for a coffee, she thought sadly, as she ran out the door. She could use the caffeine to bolster her spirits. She wished she knew what Gus wanted to see her about, and hoped it wouldn't take too long; she had to get to school. 'Wow, I'm really starting to think like a student,' she thought to herself, smiling.
Josie parked in the underground garage and took the elevator up to her floor. She headed straight for Gus' office. He was sitting at his desk, surrounded by piles of papers and files; the king of his castle. He motioned her to close the door and sit down.
"I'm supposed to be in class right now, Gus! What's so urgent?" Josie began.
"Don't worry, Geller, I'll write you a note," he said sarcastically.
"Ha, ha."
"I'll get right to the point. Rigfort has seen your notes and he has an idea. He wants the feature to be about you. 'Josie Geller: From Geek to Prom Queen.'" Gus got up from his seat and walked around to lean on the front of the desk.
He noticed her face turn pale. "Now, before you say no, just think about it for a minute. You should be proud of how far you've come. You've successfully infiltrated the 'popular group,' no easy task, as it turned out. Look at you� you're a changed person. You have new confidence in yourself, in who you are. You owe it to all the 'geeks' in school right now to show them that things do get better. Rigfort thinks it will be a sell-out."
"I don't know, Gus� it's so personal." Then Josie suddenly remembered something a certain teacher had told her. 'Write what you know. If it's from the heart it can't be wrong.' She sat for a moment longer, looking at it from that point of view. Then she asked, "You really think the readers would be interested in my story?"
"Are you kidding?" Gus scoffed. "You haven't seen the staff around here soaking up every minute of your day. With popcorn! Like I told Anita, it's like they're hooked on a soap opera."
Thinking of Sam, she asked Gus, "Would I have to use names? Because I couldn't possibly do that. I've made some friends there that I would never want to hurt or embarrass."
Gus gave her a pointed look as if he knew exactly which "friend" she was talking about. "I'll have to check that out with Rigfort. Maybe first names will do. So� I assume this means you'll do it."
She agreed with reluctance. After all, it was a huge improvement over the last story idea. "Okay� But I get approval after the final edit. And I get to finish out the school year. And I don't want it published until at least the day after graduation. And, I want a week off work starting that day. I have a lot of vacation time owed to me," she reminded him.
Gus sighed, and then looked at her with some admiration. "See, Geller, you wouldn't have talked to me like that a few months ago. Fine, I agree to your terms. Now, go to school." He handed her a slip of paper on her way out. Walking through the bullpen, she unfolded it, read its contents, and smiled.
It was a late note from "Uncle Gus."
* * *
As Josie exited the main office, fresh from dropping off her "note", she looked at the clock. She was really late for Ms. Knox's class and there was no way she was going to be caught dead wearing that damn sombrero again. She decided instead to head directly to her second period class: Sam's English Lit class.
She was pleasantly surprised to see him already sitting at his desk, sipping his coffee and staring out the window, lost in thought. She quietly closed the door and tiptoed up to him. Unable to resist, she leaned over, put her arms around his neck, and covered his eyes with her hands.
"Guess who?" she whispered softly in his ear.
He jumped a little and spun around. "Hey," he said, with a beautiful smile, "I was just thinking about you. I was a little worried when I didn't see your car in the lot this morning," he looked at her questioningly.
"I had to go see Gus this morning and I just got here."
"Is everything all right?"
"Yeah, but I'll tell you everything later."
"So, you had a good time last night?" Sam asked casually. He was a little worried about the situation with Guy and was trying to lead up to mentioning it.
Josie walked around to the front of Sam's desk and then squatted down so that her arms were lying across his desk and her chin was resting on her hands. "It was okay. I left not long after you did, actually. Rob drove me home so he didn't have to be alone with Tracy. You know, the little blond gymnast? Oh, and I told Guy that I just wanted to be friends because that I was interested in someone else. Surprisingly, he was cool about it."
"That's good. I was, uh, actually going to ask you about how you were handling Guy. I was watching you two dance," Sam admitted, "and I was afraid he was going to get the wrong idea." He decided to be honest with her. "Okay, I admit it. I was also a little jealous. I wanted to be the one dancing with you."
Josie smiled, reached out to pat one of his hands with her own, and said, "Oh, Sam, that's so sweet. I promise you, the next time I go to that club; it will be with you. I can't wait." Then, pushing herself to a stand, she said, "Now, I'd better go take my seat. Class will be starting soon."
As the first kids entered the classroom, all they saw was their teacher looking over his notes and one of their classmates sitting quietly reading a book.
Gibby and the gang entered, noisily chatting. She saw Josie and screeched, "Josie! Who is your mystery guy?"
Josie motioned them over and they surrounded her desk eagerly. Josie whispered furiously, "Shhh, Gibby!" Turning to Kirsten, she said, "And you have a big mouth. I told you I wasn't ready to say anything yet!"
Sam couldn't help but overhear Josie's "friends" and their insatiable curiosity. To hide his amused grin, he turned around to write something on the blackboard. He wasn't worried. He knew those girls wouldn't have a clue as to whom Josie's "mystery guy" was. He was impressed at the way Josie stood up to them.
He composed his features and turned around. "Okay, class, let's get started."
Josie shot him a grateful smile.
* * *
The day passed quickly. The impending game was causing a lot of excitement amongst the students. Josie was able to grab a few moments alone with Rob just before school let out for the day. She told him about Rigfort's idea, which he thought was "rufus." Rob was really the only person who had witnessed her complete metamorphosis and he was really proud of her. She wished him luck for the game and drove home to have some dinner and change.
As Josie picked up the phone to call Sam, she realized he was already on the line, and they both laughed.
Josie's tone turned serious, however, when she told Sam about the feature. She had been afraid of his reaction and emphasized that she was going to use only first names. He agreed that the story would be interesting, especially since he now knew quite a bit about her life from the long phone call they had the night of prom and the ones since.
"Sam, I just don't want it to adversely affect your job." She didn't have to remind him that up until a few days ago he believed she was a seventeen-year-old high school student. "I could try to leave you out, but Gus wouldn't like it. It's important to be honest, and you have been a big part of my second high school experience." Josie smiled into the phone at Sam warmly, then sobered. "But if you don't want me to do it, I won't."
"You would risk your job for me?" he asked her.
"To be honest," she admitted softly, "I would do anything for you."
Sam was really touched. "Josie, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever offered to do for me. I feel the same way, too." He paused for a moment in thought. "How's this? You go ahead and write your story, names and all, and I'll look at it when you're finished. If I think it compromises me in any way, I'll tell you. Go ahead and feel free to be as honest as you are, because I think it's going to be a great article."
Josie was relieved to hear him say that. "Thank you, Sam, for your support."
"No problem." Sam changed the subject, "So will I see you at the game tonight? I have something I need to tell you and I'd like it to be in person. Can you meet me outside at the hot dog vendor after, say, the bottom of the third inning?
"Of course I'll meet you, but why can't you tell me..." she started to ask, then stopped. Josie heard a car honk its horn and realized it was her ride. "Shoot. Gotta run. The girls are here to drive me to the game. Bye. See you later."
"Bye."
* * *
The third inning was finally over. It had seemed to take forever, but the South Glen Rams were now leading 2 to 1. Josie got up from her seat and mumbled to Gibby that she was going out to get a drink. Gibby yelled back to bring her a Diet Coke.
Josie stood nervously at the hot dog stand, sipping her ginger ale and waiting for Sam. The strangest thing had happened to her earlier, and she didn't know what to make of it.
Earlier she had seen Sam enter the stadium and go sit with some of the teachers across the other side of the field from her and the rest of the cool group. Then, for some strange reason, she had looked up at the countdown clock on the scoreboard and it said five minutes to game time�exactly. A shiver had shot down her spine. She couldn't escape the incredible feeling of d�j� vu, but she knew she'd never been in that stadium before. Maybe in a dream, perhaps?
Breaking from her reverie, Josie continued to wait. She knew it would take him a couple of minutes to get to her. Just then, Aldys walked over to say hello, a drink cup in each hand.
"Are you going back in?" she asked, "because I'll go with you."
Josie wasn't sure what to say when suddenly Sam appeared. "Hello ladies. Exciting game, isn't it?"
They both nodded.
"Oh, by the way, Aldys, I think David was looking for you. Something about being really thirsty from all the popcorn you both ate," he said, pointing at the drinks. He explained to Josie, "I'm sitting right behind them."
Josie nodded sagely at Sam's explanation.
"Yeah, he bought the popcorn so I said I'd get the drinks. You coming?" She turned to Josie.
"Uh, not yet, you go ahead. I wanted to ask Mr. Coulson a couple of questions about the new assignment," Josie answered, trying not to look guilty.
Aldys shrugged and replied, "Okay. See you later, then," she said. She walked away with a faint smile on her face.
Sidling up closer to Sam, she said, "Sam, I feel just terrible lying to her like this."
"I know; me, too. Listen, we don't have very long and I didn't realize there'd be so many people here." He looked around for a moment before continuing, "I completely forgot to tell you that I have to go to New York for a few days next week, right after school ends."
Josie couldn't hide her surprise. She didn't like the sound of that. She equated New York with Lara. But she didn't say anything; she just let him continue.
"I had booked the ticket for departure on that Saturday morning so I could have some free time over the weekend and then I have a three day teacher's conference starting on Monday. There is an accommodation allowance, but I had planned to stay with Lara. I just remembered to make a hotel reservation when I got home from work this evening, and luckily I was still able to get a room. I usually teach summer school and therefore can't attend these things, but I didn't take the job this year because I was still considering the move to New York."
As if he could read her mind, he added, "I just want you to know that this was all planned months ago�before I even met you�and I have no intention of seeing Lara."
She smiled at his concern, but couldn't help but feel relieved. "I'm not worried about her. But I'll miss you."
"That's the point; I don't want you to miss me. That's what I was going to tell you. Or ask you. Do you think there's any chance you could get off work for a few days and go with me? It's probably too late to book another room, but you could stay with me. I promise I'll be the perfect gentleman." He looked at her pleadingly.
Josie blushed, thinking he didn't have to be 'so perfect'.
Sam continued, "Plus, I was thinking it might be good for you to be out of town when your story hits the paper. And the last thing I want is to be apart from you at the time when we are finally allowed to be together."
Josie was excited about the idea, and it gave her a thrill to think they could have the chance to spend so much time together. She grinned and told him, "You are not going to believe this� but I was going to tell you that I told Gus I wanted that week off work in return for writing this story. I have a lot of vacation time coming to me, and had I figured we could spend some of that time together."
Sam laughed and shook his head at the coincidence. "So that means you'll come?"
Josie smiled shyly and replied, "Yeah. I've never been to New York! It sounds great."
"It will be great. A lot of fun." He smiled at her, wanting to kiss her, wrap his arms around her, anything. Then he remembered where they were, and guessed they had probably been standing next to each other longer than would seem appropriate. "Maybe we should go back in."
They reluctantly parted and made their way back to their respective seats. As Josie sat down with her ginger ale, she was thinking of Sam's proposed trip. She didn't even hear Gibby complain that she had forgotten her Diet Coke.
Sam returned to his seat also, excusing himself absently as he accidentally bumped Aldys in the back as he moved across the bench above hers to his original seat. He was also thinking about his New York trip, and the fact that Josie had agreed to go. A soft smile lit up his face at the idea.
Lost in thought, he didn't see the strange look Aldys gave him when returned to his seat. Sam had been so wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn't even considered appearances; he had come back from the concession stand empty-handed.
* * *
The Rams went on to win the state championship, 7 to 1, primarily due to Rob's grand slam in the 7th, as well as due to his outstanding glove at shortstop.
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