Graduation Challenge
Show Me The Way
By AHA
Michelle groaned when the alarm clock rang. Lazily she reached for the button,
and turned it off. Lying there in the early morning light, she thought about the
previous night. She still could not believe she had seen Danny again.
"After all these years," she thought. "You had to walk back into my life now. Just when I was beginning to get over you."
Michelle rolled over and stared at her graduation gown and cap. She had worked so hard to get through medical school. Today was the day she would receive her diploma.
"Everything would be perfect if only last night had never happened," she thought. "Now I don't know what I want anymore."
Michelle and Danny had broken up six years ago. They had really tried to make it work, but Danny could not get out from under his mother's thumb. Michelle could not accept his involvement in his family's business, and Danny was unwilling to abandon it. Michelle had moved to California to get away from him. She enrolled in The University of California's medical school, and tried to forget Danny.
Then there he was----She was out with her med. school friends celebrating the next day's graduation, and he walked into the bar. He didn't see her at first, and she thought about running out the back door. Then his eyes found hers and he smiled. There was no escape. Danny walked over to her table, and she gave him a big hug.
"What are you doing here Danny?" she exclaimed.
"I could ask you the same question Michelle," he replied.
"I live here. I moved here after we broke up, and enrolled at UCLA, in the medical school. Tomorrow is my graduation day," she said. "What brings you to Los Angeles?"
"Congratulations Michelle! I am so happy for you. I know how much becoming a doctor means to you. I came here a few years ago. I wanted a fresh start, after.....," his voice trailed off, and he looked down. Michelle could see tears wetting his eyelashes.
Michelle put her hand on his cheek, and he looked into her eyes again. "Can we go someplace where we can talk?" Danny asked.
"I...uh...sure Danny. Let's take a walk on the beach."
Michelle and Danny walked across the street to the deserted beach. They walked in silence for a while, neither one knowing what to say. Finally Danny stopped, taking Michelle's hand in his. She turned to face him, and was surprised by her reaction to his stare. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Michelle I just wanted you to know how much you changed my life," he said. "After you left, I broke my ties with the family. I came to Los Angeles, and started a media consulting firm. It is still struggling, but we have a few promising clients. I haven't spoken to my mother in several years."
"That's great Danny! I am so proud of you. I can't believe we have been in the same city for years, and did not even know it!" she said.
Danny reached up and stroked her hair. "Michelle I...I never stopped thinking about you...not for a minute. Every time I got discouraged, I would think about you, and..."
"Oh Danny! I never stopped thinking about you either," Michelle interrupted.
Danny opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He bent his head toward hers, and their lips met. Danny cupped her neck in his hands in that familiar way. A forgotten fire shot through Michelle's body. She moaned softly, and pressed her body closer to his.
In a flurry of passion, they tore off their clothes, desperate to remove the barrier between them. They made love in the sand, whispering the other's name. Afterwards, they held each other and cried.
Suddenly, Danny pulled away from her. He reached for his shirt, and said, "I'm sorry Michelle. I never should have let this happen. You don't need me to mess up your life again."
Michelle watched him silently as he put on his clothes. When he was finished dressing, she said, "You are still a coward Danny."
Danny said nothing; he just turned and walked away. Michelle sat on the beach for an hour weeping. She was ashamed of herself for letting Danny get to her again. Finally, she got up, and walked back to her car.
Now it was graduation day----time for a new beginning. Michelle jumped when she heard a knock at her door. She threw on her robe, and opened the door. One of her dorm mates was there holding a small package.
"A messenger dropped this off for you Michelle," the girl said, and handed her the package.
Michelle took the box, and thanked the girl. She noticed that there was no return address on it, only a typed label bearing her name. "It must be a graduation present from Rick," she thought. He and Abby were scheduled to arrive that morning. Excitedly she tore off the paper, and was surprised to find a cassette tape. There was no note, only the tape. She turned it over in her hands a few times, trying to guess its sender. A picture of Danny flashed in her head, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
"Well there is only one way to find out," she said aloud, and put the tape in her stereo. Music poured from the speakers. Michelle recognized the tune; it was Peter Frampton's "Show Me The Way". She sat down on her bed, and listened to the words.
I wonder how you're feeling..there's ringing
in my ears.
And no one to relate to 'cept the sea.
Who can I believe in?
I'm kneeling on the floor.
There has to be a force. Who do I phone?
The stars are out and shining. But all I really want to know
Oh won't you show me the way...everyday
I want you show me the way
Well, I can see no reason.. you living on
your nerves
When someone drops a cup and I submerge
I'm swimming in a circle ... I feel I'm going down
There has to be a fool to play my part
Someone thought of healing.. But all I really want to know
Oh won't you show me the way
I want you show me the way
Oh won't you show me the way
I want you day after day
I wonder if I'm dreaming...I feel so
unashamed
I can't believe this is happening to me.
I watch you when you're sleeping
And then I want to take your love
Oh won't you show me the way...everyday
I want you show me the way...one more time
Oh won't you show me the way
I want you day after day
There was nothing else was on the tape, just the one song. Tears welled up in her eyes. She knew the tape was from Danny. She hit the rewind button and listened to the song again. Suddenly, there was another knock at her door. She pulled it open, expecting to see him standing there. He face fell when she saw her brother and his wife on the other side.
"Sorry to disappoint you little sis," Rick laughed. "Who did you think it was?"
"Nobody," Michelle muttered. Then she forced a smile, and hugged them both.
Abby helped her put on her cap and gown, and they left for the ceremony. Michelle searched the crowd for Danny, but he was not there. Rick and Abby cheered excitedly when she was called onto the stage. Michelle took the diploma, and walked back to her seat. As they were leaving, Rick asked to see the document. Michelle untied the ribbon, and was surprised to see a small note flutter to the floor. She handed over the diploma to Rick, and picked up the scrap of paper.
It read, "I'm tired of being a coward Michelle. I want you to show me the way."
Tears filled her eyes. She looked up, and there he was standing in the doorway to the auditorium. He gave her a nervous smile, which brightened into a wide grin as she ran into his arms.
"I will show you the way Danny. I promise," she cried.