* * *
Sam grinned as he drove into the high school parking lot. Students were milling around the front of the school, looking even more laid back than usual, and with good reason it was the last day of school for the year. He got out and locked his car, waving to a few students as they called out greetings to him on their way to class, then loped up the front steps, heading towards the Teachers' Lounge. Entering the lounge, he tossed his briefcase onto a chair and checked his pigeonhole for any mail. Seeing nothing, he turned as Marilyn Knox the Social Studies Teacher burst into the Lounge, slamming the door quickly behind her and doubled over, shoulders shaking.
Forehead creasing in concern, Sam quickly walked over to her. "Marilyn is there something wrong?"
Marilyn put her hand on her chest as she gasped for breath. Sam was a little worried until she looked up at him, and he saw that she was gasping with laughter. She straightened and brushed her auburn hair off her face, her green eyes snapping with merriment.
"Oh Sam, I didn't think that I'd make it here in time. I guess I'm safe for the time being, but I'm dead meat as soon as I get to class!"
Sam grinned, but was still a little confused. "Marilyn, you've lost me. What's going on?"
Marilyn shook her head. "It's that damn sombrero! Some of the kids have decided that they've had enough of it this year, and started chasing me with it down the corridor. I had to shoot in here to get away from them before we got busted by Jack." Jack Kerdan was the Principal of the school.
Sam burst out laughing. "I knew that hat would end up getting some sort of revenge. Josie couldn't stand it either."
Marilyn's face lit up. "That's right! I made her wear it on her first day didn't I?"
Sam chuckled and shook his head. "That's right. That didn't exactly get her time here off to a good start "
"Well, you have to admit that things got better after that. How've you two been lately?"
"Fine great actually. Wonderful incredible fantastic."
Marilyn rolled her eyes. "Typical English teacher response!"
Sam shrugged his shoulders good naturedly. "Well one word just didn't seem to say enough! Actually, we're talking about moving in together."
Marilyn beamed. "That's great Sam I take it that this will be happening over the school break?"
"Yup. We can't wait, so " the bell rang signaling the start of first period, making Marilyn yelp and jump. Sam laughed as Marilyn opened the door very cautiously and peered out into the corridor before easing out and mingling with the crowd on her way to class. He quickly made himself a coffee and headed off to his first class for the last day. When he got to the classroom, he could hear everyone laughing and talking excitedly. He walked in, put down his case and leaned against his desk, coffee in hand as he waited for the hubbub to die down a little. Aldys smiled at him warmly as she looked up from a quiet conversation with Guy. Sam was pleased to see that the budding relationship between the two seemed to be going well. Aldys was no longer as 'defiantly plain' as she had tried to project in the past. Her dress style had definitely softened, but she was still very much an individual. Today she was wearing a faded pair of jeans with an embroidered peasant blouse that had soft billowing sleeves. On her feet however, she was wearing a pair of red 'ox blood' doc marten boots. Sam grinned as he noticed the boots it was the kind of quirky touch that he had come to expect from her. He saw Guy gently stroking Aldys' wrist as they spoke, then saw that Aldys had seen him watching them. She winked at him surreptitiously before looking back at Guy.
"Okay guys listen up."
A few students looked up, but the majority kept talking. It was going to hard to harness any long-term attention from them today he thought. Raising he voice, he called out again. "GUYS!" That got them. Gradually the various conversations died off as they settled down facing him, their whole attitudes excited at the prospect of the last day of school. Sam grinned at them all.
"Finally! Right well, you'll be pleased to know that I don't really have any work for you to do today "
"All right!" shouted Tommy, punching the air with his fist, sending a wave of laughter through the class. Sam pretended to stagger back as if wounded, putting a hand over his heart.
"Awwww Tommy, and all this time I thought that you loved my classes ", making the students laugh harder. "All right, like I said, no real work for you today. I thought instead that we could just have a general discussion about literature, and what the written word can achieve. Can anyone give me a good example of that?"
Several hands shot up into the air. "Yes, Aldys go ahead."
Aldys grinned broadly. "Well, there was an article I remember reading in the Chicago Sun Times that seemed to have a big effect."
The class erupted into hoots and hollers, and some of the students started clapping. Sam grinned and shook his head, hoping that he wasn't blushing too much. "Now how on earth did I know you were going to say that? But truthfully, yes you are absolutely right. That article really did change my life and Josie's for that matter no secrets there!"
"Not only yours though," replied Aldys. "The stadium was filled to overflowing with people wanting to know what was going to happen next. Josie's article touched a lot of people and reminded people that romance was alive and well in the world." Sam noticed that a lot of students were nodding earnestly.
Gibby was now waving her arm excitedly. Sam was a little surprised at this, given that she usually preferred to flick through a fashion magazine rather than participate openly in class.
"Yes Gibby, have you got another example?"
"Well . kind of. I saw a great movie the other night called 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', and at the funeral scene, a guy read out a really cool poem. 'Stop the clocks' or something. I think that was the saddest part of the movie, and poetry's never gotten to me like that before."
Sam smiled reminiscently. "I know the one you're talking about. It's called Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden." He turned his attention to the class. "Now, I don't want to bring you all on a downer, but this is a poem that really touched me it describes the loss of a loved one. I came across it while I was in college, and never forgot it, so luckily I'm in a position to recite it for you, so here goes." He cleared his throat and began to recite.
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone
Silence the piano and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come
Let aeroplanes circle all day overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message: 'He is dead'
Put crepe bows on the white necks of the public doves
Let traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves
He was my north, my south, my east and west
My working week, and my Sunday rest
My moon, my midnight, my talk, my song
I thought my love would live forever, I was wrong
The stars are not wanted now, put out every one
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
When he finished, he was gratified to see that several students looked genuinely moved by the poem. Gibby was looking around the class, nudging Kirsten and Kristen and saying, "I told you it was good."
Sam was surprised to see that Guy tentatively had his hand in the air. "Yes Guy, have you got another example?"
"Yeah. My mom's always reading stuff out to us at home. She's on a Jane Austen kick at the moment, and I've uh .. been reading Persuasion lately with Aldys. It's pretty good. There's a letter towards the end of the book that changes the life of the main character. I've got the book here with me if you'd like me to read it." Guy held up the book tentatively.
Sam beamed at him. "That's great Guy always back up a idea with an example. I've love to hear it go ahead."
Guy glanced briefly at Aldys, who smiled at him encouragingly as he flicked through the book to find what he was looking for, then took a deep breath and began to read aloud:
"I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own, than when you almost broke it eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you. Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been, but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath. I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither, or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never."
When Guy finished reading, Sam noticed Kirsten frowning. "Kirsten, is there something you'd like explaining?"
"What does he mean by entering her father's house? And what does taking a bath have to do with it?"
Before Sam could respond, Guy broke in to explain. "He's trying to tell her that although they broke up years ago, he's never stopped loving her. He's followed her to Bath that's a town in England somewhere and entering her father's house means that he wants to ask for her hand in marriage."
"Oooooh," said Kirsten as the explanation sunk in, then her face lit up as comprehension dawned. "Wow, that's a rufus letter."
"You might want to try reading some of Austen's books sometime Kirsten; you might like them," encouraged Sam.
"Is he a new author? I haven't heard of him before," asked Kristen.
"A new author!?" spluttered Sam laughingly. "Have you heard of Pride and Prejudice? Jane Austen is a classic English writer!"
"Yeah well, apart from the books you gave us, I only read stuff like Stephen King and Jackie Collins," she said with a careless flick of her hair.
Sam tried not to let his jaw drop at her ignorance. He really should be used to the self-absorption of some teenagers by now, he thought. He glanced at Guy who was looking at the trio of girls with a look of tired resignation.
"Way to go, Kristen that's a minute of my life I'll never get back," said Guy dryly.
Sam had just taken a sip of coffee, and it was all he could do not to blow it out in a fine spray as he struggled to contain the shout of laughter that was bubbling inside of him. He never thought he'd hear Aldys' words come out of Guy's mouth! Quickly turning his back to the class, he swallowed, and then composed his features before turning back to the class.
"Okay guys, you've heard three excellent examples one of course, being particularly close to my heart." He smiled at the class as several students laughed. "Now, how about we consider some other examples "
The rest of the lesson progressed in a very leisurely fashion, with the students feeling relaxed and willing to participate, knowing that there were no grade pressures. Later, Sam was heading towards the teachers' lounge for lunch when a group of excited students jostled past him in the corridor. As he stood to one side to let them pass, he heard a lot of yelling and whooping outside. Sam followed the noise, and ended up at the front entrance of the school. As he looked out the doorway he gazed incredulously at the scene before him, startled into laughter. Standing at the top of the school steps was none other than Marilyn Knox wearing the sombrero hat!
Marilyn was flanked by Jason and Brett, as Tommy strutted his stuff before the gathering crowd with a bullhorn calling out "Step right up! Step right up! Getcher instant photo taken with Senorita Knox for two dollars! That's right, two dollars! All proceeds go to a children's charity! Step riiiiiiiight up!"
Sam strolled towards Marilyn with a broad grin splitting his face. "Wow Marilyn, I don't think I've ever seen anyone blush as much as you are now!"
She laughed and raised her hands to her face self-consciously. "They really had it in for me today! They let me get to class untouched, and just when I was thinking that I'd managed to get off scot-free, these two," a wave of her hands indicated Jason and Brett, "pounced on me, and frog marched me out here."
Sam shrugged his shoulders. "Well, it's all for a good cause they're certainly getting a good crowd here."
"Don't I know it!" said Marilyn with a resigned laugh. "This hat had more of a reputation than I thought!"
"Excuse me, Mr. Coulson," interrupted Tommy, "but we've got some customers waiting here."
"By all means go ahead". Sam laughed and bowed out of the way. He was free for the afternoon, so he decided to hang around and watch the action. It looked like most of the student body were eager to get in on the fun. Tommy was taking the money from each customer, and Guy was using an instant Polaroid camera to take the photos. Sam heard some yelling in the distance, and laughed as he saw his friend Scott Romano hustling his entire baseball team over towards Marilyn.
"C'mon guys, dig deep it's for a good cause!" he called to them.
Laughing, the boys all obligingly paid up and one by one stood next to Marilyn, who had cheerfully resigned herself to her fate. She looked up as the team eventually departed to see who the next customer was. She blinked a couple of times, then said uncertainly. "Tim? Is that you? But but you graduated three years ago!"
The young man nodded and laughed at her surprised expression. "You've got a good memory, Miss Knox. My kid brother phoned me I'm on college break and told me what was going on. I decided that I had to get in on the action, so I phoned a few old buddies to come down with me as well." He jerked his thumb over his shoulder to indicate six more young men waiting patiently in line, who all grinned and waved at her.
Marilyn shook with laughter and turned to Sam. "Can you believe this ex alumni now!"
Sam shook his head in amazement, and then beamed as an idea struck him. He hurried over to Scott who was following his departing baseball team.
"Scott, can I borrow your phone? I've just had a great idea ."
* * *
Alone in her office, Josie sighed as she looked at her blank computer screen. She was normally full of ideas for her column but today there was a definite creative drought going on. Just then, her phone rang, and she snatched up the receiver, grateful for the distraction.
"Hello, Josie Geller speaking."
"Hi gorgeous." Josie smiled as she heard Sam's husky voice. "Are you busy?"
"Nooooo, not at all!" she wailed. "I've got writers' block!"
"That's fantastic," exclaimed Sam. Josie frowned. What was so wonderful about being unable to do her job? "I've got what I think could be a good column piece for you."
Josie leaned forward in her chair. "All right, you've got my interest peaked now. What's going on?"
About five minutes later, Josie's assistant Merkin was startled when she burst out of her office and rushed to the elevator calling instructions over her shoulder. "Merkin, I'm out for a while. Have someone with a camera meet me at South Glen South front entrance with a camera in about 30 minutes!"
* * *
Sam was waiting for her in the parking lot when she arrived at the school some 20 minutes later. He gave her a soft kiss by way of greeting, then took her by the hand and led to the crowd of people at the front of the school. Marilyn had gotten over her nerves, and was hamming it up for the camera even letting herself be held aloft by the boys gymnastics team.
"Sam, this is great! Who thought this up?" asked Josie excitedly.
"I did!" said a voice behind them.
Sam and Josie turned to see Aldys smiling at them.
"Aldys!" said Josie, giving her a hug. "How did you think this up?"
"Guy and I were trying to think of something different to do for Student Cut Up Day, and I hit upon this. The Denominators threw in the money for the film, and that's Guy's Dad's camera that we're using.
"It's fantastic! Sam called me down here to see if we could get a story out of it do you mind?"
"Not at all I just can't believe the response to all of this and it was such a simple idea!" relayed Aldys as the three of them began to work their way through the crowd to get to the front.
"So you're the one behind this are you, young lady?" boomed a stern voice behind them, making them all jump. They turned slowly to see Jack Kerdan regarding them, his face like a thundercloud. He shook his head slowly at them as he continued. "I must say, this is not the kind of behavior that I expected of you, Aldys Wells."
"Mr. Kerdan, if you'll just let me explain " but Kerdan held his hand up for silence and began to walk towards Marilyn. Sam stepped up to him.
"Come on, Jack, can't you cut the kids a little slack? It's the last day of school after all," he murmured. Kerdan looked at him stonily, and then climbed the steps to where Marilyn stood, clutching the sombrero as she watched the proceedings. Tommy had seen what was going on, and had stopped yelling into the bullhorn as he watched the exchange between Aldys and Kerdan. Kerdan stood next to Marilyn and calmly surveyed the crowd. By now people had realized that something might be wrong, and little by little were falling silent.
"I'll take that if you don't mind, Marilyn," said Kerdan, reaching out to pluck the sombrero from Marilyn's nerveless fingers. Holding the hat in one hand, he reached into his jacket pocket for a moment, then to the sheer amazement of the crowd solemnly put the sombrero on his own head, flicked two dollars at Tommy and put his arm around Marilyn's shoulders.
"Ready when you are, Guy," he boomed, and with that, beamed broadly. Guy's jaw dropped in amazement, and then he quickly took a photo. The crowd gave a huge cheer as Jack flipped off the hat and presented it to Marilyn with a bow, then grinned and waved as he headed back into the school.
Josie, Sam and Aldys laughed with relief. "He really had us going there!" exclaimed Josie as she wiped tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes.
"Oh I'll say," replied Aldys, then, "are you guys going to have your picture taken?" Sam and Josie looked at each other. "Come on," coaxed Aldys. "It's only two dollars . Puh-leeeeeese?" this was said in such a wheedling voice that they laughingly agreed. Paying Tommy they stepped up together and posed either side of Marilyn, each of them kissing her cheeks as she rolled her eyes hammily for the camera.
"Take two shots of them Guy, " whispered Aldys urgently. "I've got an idea."
Josie spent a happy couple of hours interviewing people for their reactions and reminiscences of Marilyn and the infamous hat, and then Sam walked her to her car. As she unlocked the door, she turned and kissed him gently. "Thank you for thinking of me this afternoon you're a lifesaver."
Sam put his hands on her waist and kissed her. "I'm always thinking of you Josie Geller, and you're my lifesaver too."
"See you tonight?" she asked, her eyes glowing.
"Always."
They kissed once more, and then Josie climbed into her car to head back to the office.
Kristen, Gibby and Kirsten were standing some distance away, and had momentarily stopped chatting as they watched the tender exchange. Gibby sighed. "Oh. My. God. I swear that is the cutest thing I've ever seen " The three of them gazed dreamily at Josie and Sam.
"It really makes you believe in true love doesn't it?" pondered Kristen.
"Oh yeah speaking of which, there is a dress at the Mall that you are going to just die for!" broke in Kristen excitedly. Within seconds, they had snapped back into their gossip. Guy and Aldys strolled past hand in hand and had overheard the exchange.
"Oh please " muttered Aldys. Guy looked at her and grinned as he draped his arm around her shoulders.
"So what were you plotting about when you asked me to take an extra photo of those two?"
Aldys beamed as she looked at Guy, feeling a little tingly as his fingers caressed her upper arm through the fabric of her blouse. "You'll see c'mon, we have to get to the mall this afternoon before it closes."
* * *
By the time Josie got home that night, Sam was already there. As she let herself in, she heard a cork pop, then Sam appeared pouring her a glass of wine as she walked towards him. He had kicked off his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt a little. Josie caught her breath as she smiled crookedly at her. He looked so sexy! She kissed him and then accepted the glass and took a sip of wine. She sighed appreciatively.
"Thanks Sam, it's lovely."
"I thought you'd like it. Did you get your column done?
She wrinkled her nose at him affectionately. "I sure did thanks to a brainwave from a certain someone."
"That's good. Do you want to get changed while I think about dinner?"
"Okay I won't be long." She handed him back the glass, which he put on the coffee table, and headed towards the bedroom, taking off her jacket as she went. A few minutes later she reappeared wearing a pair of faded blue jeans, and a pale blue t-shirt. Her face was freshly scrubbed, and her skin glowed. She flopped down onto the couch next to Sam and leaned back with a tired sigh. Just as she sat down, the doorbell rang. They looked at each other, and Josie groaned tiredly. Sam grinned at her reaction. "I'll get it." He hauled himself to his feet and strolled to the door. Opening it, he saw Guy and Aldys standing there. As he welcomed them and ushered them inside he noticed that Guy was carrying a flat wrapped package.
Josie perked up as she saw who it was. "Hello again please excuse me not getting up," she apologized. "I just got home from work, so I'm feeling beat."
"That's okay Josie," said Aldys waving her hands to indicate that Josie should stay seated. "We won't stay long. We just wanted to stop by and give you both an end of year present." Guy grinned and held out the package he was holding. Intrigued, Sam sat beside Josie as she unwrapped it. They both exclaimed with pleasure as they saw what it was.
Aldys had gotten a long vertical mahogany picture frame and had put in a series of pictures of Sam and Josie. The first picture was of them standing arm in arm in front of one of the backdrops they had painted for the Prom. They were covered in paint and looking very happy. The next picture had been taken as Sam had crowned Josie Prom Queen, with them gazing into each other's eyes. The third photo was of "the kiss" on the pitchers' mound, and the fourth was the picture from that afternoon Sam and Josie kissing Marilyn as she wore the ridiculous sombrero all three of them giggling.
"Oh Aldys Guy I don't know what to say. It's beautiful!". Josie jumped up to give them both a hug, and Sam stood to heartily shake Guy's hand and pat him on the shoulder, then moved to Aldys to give her a hug too.
"That goes for me too we'll display it with pride, it's wonderful." added Sam. "Would the two of you like something to drink?"
Aldys and Guy glanced at each other. "We don't want to impose on you guys you did say that you were feeling a little tired," ventured Guy.
"No, no, no, that's fine. We've got some soda here if you'd like some. Please, we'd love to catch up with you two," protested Josie.
"Okay, that'd be great soda will be fine Mr. Coulson."
Sam quirked his eyebrows at them. "C'mon guys you're going to be graduating in a couple of days you can call me Sam now."
Aldys and Guy both grinned. "Okay . Sam." smiled Aldys. Sam went to the kitchen and reappeared with drinks for them, and then all four of them sat down and made themselves comfortable.
"So Aldys, what was the final reckoning on the fundraiser?" asked Josie.
Aldys' face lit up with pleasure. "Would you believe that we made $250? People must have been coming out of the woodwork today!"
Guy laughed in agreement. "I think that Miss Knox got quite a shock!"
"So what are you going to do with the funds?" asked Sam.
"We thought that we might donate it to the children's wing of the local hospital every little bit counts."
"That sounds like a great idea," praised Josie.
The four of them continued chatting for about an hour. As they talked, Sam and Josie were touched to see how happy Aldys and Guy seemed together, often touching each other gently as they made a point, or absent-mindedly resting their hands on each others' knee. It seemed like things were going well for them. Eventually Aldys and Guy decided that it was time for them to leave, and made their fond farewells for the evening. On their way out, they both paused to look at Sam with slight smiles on their faces. Sam looked back at them, a little bemused.
"What?" he asked.
"Oh nothing Sam." replied Guy. "It just feels good to be able to talk to you in a social setting without school being an issue anymore." Aldys nodded earnest agreement.
"Yeah it does doesn't it?" agreed Sam. Josie stepped up and wrapped her arms around Sam's waist as she looked at Aldys and Guy fondly.
"You'll come and see us again, won't you?" she asked.
"Just try and stop us!" counted Aldys with a laugh. With that, they waved and headed off towards Guy's car, pausing to wave again as they got in and drove off. Sam and Josie waved and then headed back inside.
"Wow they make quite a cute couple don't they?" said Josie as she and Sam sat back down and picked up their wineglasses.
"Hmmm. Looks like things are going well there. They mentioned that they're both going to Northwestern so it's going to be interesting to follow their progress." He took a sip of wine and leaned back on the couch. Josie leaned against him, resting her head on his chest. They sat there in peaceful silence for a moment, and then Josie sat up with a start.
"Oh, I can't believe I forgot to tell you this earlier I think I might have found somewhere for us to live!"
* * *