Four Years

By Paul Laska

Jim Lewis just graduated high school and is going to attend Pennsylvania State University. A shy apprehensive teenager, he is about to begin a four-year journey from adolescence to adulthood. Follow Jim Lewis through the late-night parties and the late-night cramming for exams. During four years of fumbles and triumphs, adventures and disappointments, Jim learns a lot about love and loss, friendship and personal responsibility. In the end, Four Years is an education both inside and outside the classroom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 17, 2002
• ISBN: 9781462821563

Paul Laska

Paul Laska is the author of Four Years, and Semesters. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Accounting. Aside from writing, he is also an Accounting/IT Consultant. He resides in suburban Philadelphia. Visit his at website at www.laskabooks.com.

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Copyright © 2001 by Paul Laska.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2001127195

ISBN:         Hardcover                               1-4010-4352-6

                  Softcover                                 1-4010-4351-8

                  Ebook                                     9781462821563

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

Contents

GRATITUDE

FOREWARD

HIGH SCHOOL FINALE

SUMMER OF 1989

FIRST DAY OF CLASS

DAY TWO

NEW JOB

GONE

FRIEND

THE DAYS FALL APART

MOVING ON UP

SUMMER ‘91

ENCOUNTER

THE APARTMENT

FIRST DAY

KICKOFF CLASSIC

New Friends And A Recent One

Welcome To The Library

Monday Night Football

Rent

Dinner with Tammy

The Setup

Final Decision

In A World of Our Own

Cool Down

Loose Ends and Looking Ahead

Finals Preparation

Done!

Winter Break

1992 Spring Semester

First Week ‘92

Socializing

Miranda

Class Update

Shingletown Gap

The Apartment Search

Stale

Flashback

Blackjack and Grain

Finals Week

Birthday

Last Day

Final Grades, Summer Break, & Arts Fest

Before My Very Eyes

Onward

Walking

THE PHONE CALL

HANGING UP FOR GOOD

SENIOR YEAR

THE DRIVE BACK

The Next Set Of Classes

AGAIN

DISCUSSION

WHAT TO DO?

ROGER’S 21ST BIRTHDAY

CLASS UPDATE

BUSY

LATE NIGHT

ONE STEP FURTHER

TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE

THE NEXT MORNING

CLASS UPDATE

CONTACT

FINALLY!

COMMUNICATION

THE Way TO A WOMAN’S HEART Is THROUGH HER STOMACH

HANGING OUT

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

WEEKEND REPORT

JIM AND KELLY

RICH AND AMANDA

OPEN DOOR

Class Update Heading Into Finals

Holiday Party

Job Fair

Interviews

Bronson Foods

Redwood Telecom

Spring Break

Visiting Day

Blizzard

No Sense Of Time

Operation Snow Plow

All About The Shovel

Another shot?

Thursday Night & The Weekend

Man To Men

Job Search & Finals

Commencement

A Very Special Goodbye

"Never Give Up

Never Slow Down

Never Grow Old

Never Ever Die Young. .

James Taylor

GRATITUDE

First of all, I would like to thank Mom, Dad, and my brother Philip for their love & support ever since I entered the world.

A very special thank you to Matthew Richer for editing my book. His help was vital into getting this book to its final product. And thank you for making me a better writer.

Thank you to Pam Luteran Malin for introducing me to Matthew Richer to edit my book. And thanks for reading parts of the book while it was in-progress, lending your ears and listening to me babble.

Thank you to Gwen Keller for reading parts of the book and to listen to me babble as well. So glad I still keep in touch with you and Pam.

Thank you to my longtime friend and college roommate Robert «Griz» Ginieczki for the inspiration for writing this book.

Thank you to Jason Zoto for legal advice.

Thank you to Steve Cassidy and Nicole Zoto for designing the cover.

Thanks to my family and friends for their love and support.

Special thanks to the following people for other reasons related to the book: Bridget Aponik, Dennis Billuni, Melissa Halaway, Neil Hilkert, William Hoffman, Caron Luteran, Mr. Monty, Jennifer Orloff, Phil Stuckey, and Brandy Walke.

I would like to thank The Pennsylvania State University and the following businesses for allowing me to use their names in my book. Names of other businesses and apartment complexes were changed due to time constraints and unavailability. If you’re ever in the downtown State College, Pennsylvania area visit the following establishments:

Café 210 West

210 West College Avenue

The Gingerbread Man

130 Hiester Street

Hoss’ Steak House

1450 North Atherton Street

The Lion’s Den

118 South Garner Street

The Phyrst

111 1/2 East Beaver Avenue

The Rathskeller

108 South Pugh Street

The Tavern Restaurant & Adam’s Apple

220 East College Avenue

Ye Olde College Diner, Inc.

126 West College Avenue

Zeno’s Pub

100 West College Avenue

Also check out:

Warminster West Diner

333 West Street Road

Warminster, PA 18974

Cover design by NSCZ in-house productions. Check out their website at www.nsczinhouse.com.

This book is dedicated to my father

George P. Laska

(1920-1990)

In Loving Memory

Anesti & Helen Zoto

Rita Cupo

Alex Amos

FOREWARD

I graduated from Pennsylvania State University in the summer of 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a minor in Business Logistics. The job market wasn’t so hot at the time and I had five dollars in my bank account. Months went by as I waited tables parttime at a local diner while searching for my first accounting job. Writing a book was the last thing on my mind. I eventually got a part-time job at a local township handling accounts payable splitting time between there and waiting tables.

What was it that gave me the idea to write a book? Well, in my senior year, my roommate wrote a book on mountain bike trails around the State College area. It was a small book, but he did it all himself. He did all the writing, copied maps, and described the bike trails and the mountain terrain. Once it was completed he was able to persuade local bike shops to stock the book and also had success selling copies at area bike races. One day he took me out to one of the bike trails on Mount Nittanyjust after a major snowstorm. We were walking in about a foot of snow and it took most of the day to complete but it was an enjoyable day for both of us. I enjoyed it because I loved the outdoors as well as the beautiful scenery. He enjoyed it because he was one step closer to completing his book and I could see the look of satisfaction on his face.

A couple of days later I was in the library doing homework. It was getting late and I packed my things to go back to my apartment. I walked up the stairs towards the exit, when it suddenly occurred to me, ‘You know what? If he can write a book, so can I." Instead of going home, I walked into the computer lab and sat in front of the monitor typing some gibberish down and brainstorming. I played around on the computer for a while and then finally started writing. I threw words together hoping to type up the beginnings of a book. After filling a whole page I decided to nix the idea. But it was a significant page because from that point on that I had the urge to write a book to prove to myself that I could do it.

However, due to career and financial factors it wasn’t until late 1998 that I finally grabbed a pen and a legal pad and finally started something I wanted to finish. A couple of months and four legal pads later I bought a laptop and continued writing the book until its completion. I thought to myself what will my story be about? Should it be fact or fiction? Should it be an adventure, suspense, romance, comedy, or a drama?

I had an idea in my head for a long time of doing a story about a student going through four years of college. But how could I make it unique? That’s when I decided to write a book from the student’s perspective; letting the reader know what he is going through and what he is thinking; watching him mature from a post-adolescent teenager beginning his freshman year to a young graduate about to enter the real world. Instead of making the main character the class clown, jock, or the most popular, I decided to make him an average student, just like most college students. And if the setting is at Penn State, one person out of an enrollment of some forty thousand plus students doesn’t make you stand out.

Why did I make the timeframe of this novel from August of 1989 to May 1993? I did that because that was the time I went to Penn State and I remember the town and surroundings very well from that time period. The campus has changed a lot since then but it’s still the great school that students, alumni, and visitors remember. The story’s outline changed a few times along the way until it came to one that I felt comfortable with. Once again, this story is fiction and any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. So it’s on to the book. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it sparks some great memories from your own college days whether you went to Penn State or not.

HIGH SCHOOL FINALE

‘You’ll be surrounded by beer, hot babes with boobs, the beach, and the hot sun," Alexis told me.

You would expect something like that would come out of the mouth of a guy but this was nothing unusual from Alexis. Of course she would say things about guys too, only more graphically. During our commencement rehearsal break Alexis and I talked about senior week in Wildwood, NewJersey in two weeks.

I know. I can’t wait! I said.

Speaking of hot babes with boobs what’s up with you and Carol? Alexis asked.

I don’t know. I’m supposed to drop off the prom pictures off at her house.

Oh yeah? Have you talked to her since the prom?

No, I haven’t. It’s as if she fell off the planet. Looking back, I’m thinking I shouldn’t have asked her. If she didn’t want to go, a simple No would have done it.

Our relationship started out pretty well, but it waned after two months. I had a feeling a couple weeks before the prom that Carol was a bump on a log. My instinct was correct.

Carol was a brunette about 5 ‘ 6. She was a year behind me with long brown hair, and deep brown eyes that always caught my attention. On the surface she seemed like a cool girl. But things started to turn sour about a month before the prom. She wasn’t interested in me as much and she was worried about the SAT, which was the day after the prom.

After rehearsal and before I was going to meet the rest of my friends for lunch, I went looking for Carol to drop off the pictures. I took the stairs to the second floor, and walked down the hall where I saw Carol about twenty feet in front of me. She was at her locker. This was the first I had seen or heard from her since prom night.

Carol! I called out.

She looked up, saw me down the hall, and gave me a little smile. Hi, she said.

How are Finals coming along? I asked.

So far it’s going all right, she responded with little emotion.

Look, I wanted to give you the prom pictures, I said politely.

She shut her locker door as I handed the pictures to her, grabbed them, and started to walk away. I knew I was the last person she wanted to see, so I tried to make it as painless as possible.

Thank you, Carol said and began to walk faster.

Don’t you want to look at them? I asked.

No, I have to go to my next Final.

Not even a glimpse?

No, but that was nice of you to give me a set of prints.

I wanted to get to the point and walked faster to catch up to her.

Are you mad at me or do you want nothing to do with me now that the prom is over with?

No, I had a good time. I talked to you and your friends, she said acting like this conversation was an out of the way effort.

Actually, she talked to my friends more than she talked to me.

I know you have to run to your exam, but I need to sit down and talk to you. How about tomorrow or sometime this weekend?

I can’t tomorrow, and this weekend I’m leaving for California. I’ll be away for three weeks. I’ll call you when I get back. We can then talk about whatever needs to be discussed.

To me that was the kiss of death. In other words, Carol was trying to avoid me as much as possible. Why would I want to wait three weeks? This was something that could easily be resolved before she left for

California. Oh yeah, I’ll hold my breath for that phone call! Who was she kidding?

I just wanted to talk to her, but the tone of her voice told me she wanted me out of her life. I watched her walk away, feeling like a horse’s ass thinking there might have been something between the two of us. Have a happy life! Time for lunch!

After dinner, my friend John came by to pick me up for that evening’s commencement ceremony. Before we left, Mom insisted on taking pictures ofJohn and me.

Smile! she said with a big smile while Dad and my brother Patrick looked on.

John then took the camera and took a picture of my whole family.

We arrived at the high school around 7:00 P.M. and stood outside the auditorium waiting for our cue. All of us were sporting our black caps and gowns. We walked in a single file through the lobby and into the auditorium with Hope and Glory pumping out of the speakers. The students walked to the front of the room, turning right at the orchestra pit. I made another left up the steps to the stage, went to one of the middle rows of chairs and sat at the end of the aisle. The superintendent then began the ceremony with a speech and finally began handing out the diplomas. It got to the L’s and my name was called.

James Edward Lewis, the superintendent said.

I heard applause from the audience and cheers from my friends. I raised my hand in the air as I approached the superintendent. We shook hands and he handed me my diploma.

Congratulations, he said.

Thank you, I replied with a smile on my face.

As I walked to the side of the stage I saw my Dad standing at the bottom of the steps.

Smile! he yelled.

I smiled for the picture, then walked back to my seat. The commencement was over! I was done with high school!

SUMMER OF 1989

High school was history. The graduation parties were over. Senior week came and went. We spent a week in Wildwood; a week of nothing but eating, drinking, going to the beach, staring at and trying to hook up with girls. It was like a preview of what college life must be like, except for the beach. That is, unless you were going to a school along the coast.

After senior week my focus was now on college. I was going to the Pennsylvania State University branch campus in Abington known as the Ogontz Campus for my first two years. I was excited, but frightened about college life. I was about to enter a new world. I will meet new people, classes will be a little harder, and the workload will increase. More importantly, would I be able to keep in contact with my high school friends? I would be commuting to school for the first two years. It was about a ten-minute drive to campus. This was good since I was still close to friends commuting to other colleges around the area. One of them would be going to Ogontz, and three more of my friends were going to other local schools as well.

Shortly after senior week, I met with my advisor to schedule my classes. Her name was Linda Richards. She had short brown hair, glasses, a bit portly, and wore a blue outfit. She showed me what courses I had to take with my major and what classes were available.

And you’re majoring in Accounting? She asked.

Yes. I said.

She handed me a soft cover book that had the class descriptions and a checklist of what classes I had to take in order to graduate. I looked at the list. There were a lot of classes I had to take. Well, it looked like a lot to me. Could I do this in four years? Last month I was so happy to get out of high school. Now I wanted to go back.

Looks like a lot of classes, I said to Linda.

It looks like a lot but if you take 4 to 5 classes a semester you’ll do just fine, Linda replied.

She showed me which classes were available for the fall semester. There wasn’t a lot left because I registered late so that left me with scraps of classes.

I was into my second summer as a checkout clerk and stock boy at the Food Barrel market. It was good pay for someone my age and it was a lot of fun because a lot of people I worked with were in the same age range as me.

The rest of the summer consisted of concerts like Jackson Browne, The Who, Don Henley, and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. I never heard from Carol again. Carol said she would call me when she got back from California. She never did. That didn’t surprise me but it bothered me that I didn’t have a chance to talk to her.

To make matters worse I was involved in a minor scandal at The Food Barrel the day before school began. Items had been stolen and certain managers were pointing fingers at certain employees including me. One floor manager kept a close eye on me during my shift. He would come up to the lounge to make sure I paid for my food. He’d ask me to show a receipt for proof of payment. I was under the microscope and they were accusing me of something I didn’t do. The store manager was getting on my case as well. He’d snap answers back at me. It was to the point where I couldn’t take it anymore. The day before class I stopped in to see Vince Losachi, the store manager.

I knocked on the door of his office and he invited me in.

Have a seat, Vince said.

He was in his 50’s and balding with salt and pepper hair around the back of his head. Vince was short, stout with brown eyes, and a brown moustache.

What’s up? Vince asked me.

Not much. I came here to tell you that I am resigning effective today. I can’t take this crap from you and the managers hounding me about whether I paid for this or that, I said in a monotone voice, looking Vince in the eye. I’m being singled out for something I know I didn’t do. I feel like I’m constantly being watched.

I understand how you feel but you have to look at it from my point of view. I can’t have customers and employees stealing from under my nose, Vince said seriously.

He didn’t get it.

I understand that, but putting the blame on me without proof is not fair. I’m not going to be your scapegoat. Ask as many questions as you want. I did nothing. You say you believe me but I’m not buying it.

Well if that’s how you feel then I will accept your resignation.

I handed him my resignation letter and left the office.

It was a big change now compared to the beginning of the summer. Injure I had job, a girlfriend, and was glad that high school was over. Now, I was out of job, single, and I had to figure out where my next paycheck would come from.

FIRST DAY OF CLASS

It was the first day of class at Penn State. It was a beautiful day outside, sunny, warm, with patches of clouds. I left my house and got into my new used car. It was a dark red 1985 Plymouth Horizon my dad bought for me as a graduation present. I was partially responsible for payment and resigning from Food Barrel was a step back in that direction. It had 35,000 miles and cost $3,500.

I made a right turn on Woodland Road driving on a continuous incline towards campus and I felt like I was driving on a road into a new chapter of my life. What loomed behind those trees? What will I expect to see? God only knows what lurked up ahead. I drove about a mile until I saw the first stone building on the campus. I drove by the Sutherland Building to my left and I saw a sea of students outside of the building. I approached the Woodland Building and turned left into the lot.

The lot was full. This was the disadvantage of starting class late in the morning. So I drove up to a spot on the grass all the way in the back next to the tennis courts adjacent to the Rydal building. I got out of the car and headed to the Sutherland Building for my first class.

I approached the outside of Sutherland Building into a sea of people. I did not recognize one person. I was a total stranger and didn’t talk to anyone. The Sutherland Building was an old building. I walked inside to see white walls and black and white tile floors partially-carpeted. The atrium was straight ahead and I walked down a couple flights of stairs like I was walking into the basement. I walked into a room full of desks and chairs. The class was about two-thirds full of students. I still didn’t know anyone. It still had the high school atmosphere. I sat in my seat waiting for class to start.

The professor walked into the room. He was a scruffy looking guy, someone you’d find at a Grateful Dead concert. He was skinny, with messy gray hair, glasses, a button down red and white shirt, and khakis. He took his backpack off and placed it on the table.

Good morning everybody and welcome to Penn State. Welcome to Earth and Mineral Science, he said with a grin. My name is Gordon Alsworth. I will be your host and most importantly your teacher for the next 16 weeks of this class. For most of the people here this class will fulfill your science requirements. You’re taking this class to avoid any Chemistry and Biology classes.

A few chuckles came from the students.

I don’t blame you. I would take this class over Chemistry or Biology as well. But seriously, this class is interesting and informative because it’s about everything that surrounds you. Air, water, sun, grass, dirt, minerals, rocks, storms, volcanoes, earthquakes, everything! You interact with it all or see it around you. We need all of these elements to exist. Don’t take it for granted because without these elements there would be no Earth. There would be no life. So while you’re fulfilling your requirements learn from it. It’s vital. Let’s have fun with this class.

He went on explaining the course a little more and handed out the syllabus, then let us out early. After class, I walked up a slight hill through a mob of students hanging outside and headed to the Lares Building for lunch. The line was long and I waited for about ten minutes. The dining area was so full that people were sitting in the lobby eating their lunch. I took my lunch and walked back to my car to eat alone.

After lunch my next class was Spanish at the Woodland Building so I didn’t have to walk far. I entered into the small room with two rows of three tables. Each table held three people. I took the middle table in the second row on the right side of the table. A guy came in and sat next to me without saying anything for about ten seconds. And then suddenly he turned and faced me. How’s it going? Kenny Ryerson, he said offering a handshake.

Jim Lewis.

How’s your first day going so far? Kenny asked.

Quiet. I don’t know anybody so I’m still warming up to this place.

Don’t sweat it dude. You’ll adjust fine. Besides, you’re talking to me. Welcome aboard, Kenny said with a smile on his face.

I now had a new friend. Including me, there were 15 people in the classroom. The teacher walked in. He was a big, rotund guy with brown hair wearing a polo shirt, pair of slacks, and brown Rockport shoes. He dropped his folder on the table.

Good afternoon! This is Spanish 1. My name is Pedro Perez.

He had a strong, deep voice emphasizing every third or fourth sentence.

This is section 4. If this isn’t your section or you’re in the wrong class, get out! Pedro said sarcastically.

We laughed. Pedro told us a little bit about himself like where he went to college, previous teaching jobs, and other miscellaneous stuff. He lets us out of class early. Kenny got up from his chair.

See you Friday, Kenny said.

Alright, take care.

I left the room and walked to my car. With two hours in between class I went home and returned to campus around 4:40 P.M. I parked at the Sutherland lot which was down the hill from the building, then walked up the hill and into the building to the third floor. The classroom sat 25 people and the desks were arranged in a letter U shape with the teacher’s desk facing the chairs. I sat at a desk on the left side of the room along the wall. A few minutes later I saw Kenny walking into the room.

Hey Jim. Long time, no see.

Yeah, small world, huh?

After talking to him I found out he lived about ten minutes away from my house. We had a lot in common and had similar tastes in music. The English professor then walked in.

I saw him from the corner of my eye. He was a strange looking fellow, and looked like a guy on the verge of going nuts. He was a short, thin guy about 5’4 with curly, black hair, glasses, a blue shirt, and brown corduroys. He glared out into space taking a folder and a Diet Pepsi from his bag. He took a sip of the soda and placed it on the top right corner of his desk, and then placed the folder in the middle of the table. He sat down and spoke.

Good afternoon, or good evening, he whispered with an annoying lisp. This is English 15, section 8. My name is Mr. Halden. I will be your English teacher for this class.

His lisp was loud when there was a letter C or S in a word. I would have to deal with this three times a week? He continued to ramble while I sat there trying to listen. Looking at the other students’ expressions I knew they were thinking the same thing. Mr. Halden let us out early.

If I don’t see you tomorrow then I will definitely see you Friday, I said.

Yeah, see you later, Kenny said.

Day one of class was history. It was mixed. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was only one day. I still had two classes tomorrow. Will I see anyone I know? Will I bump into anyone? I got in my car and turned the radio on for the drive home. The thought of where my nextjob would be still stuck in my head. Where should I look? Where should I go? Will I be able to handle the workload here and work too? The answers to these questions would come as time passed on.

DAY TWO

It was Thursday, August 24, the first day of my other two classes, which were Music and American History. My first class was at 8 o’clock in the morning. I got up at 7:00 A.M., left the house and walked outside to another beautiful, sunny day. There were a few clouds, no humidity, and a gentle breeze.

I parked in the Woodland lot for the first class. At that time in the morning there were parking spaces close to the building. Music was in room 100. It’s the biggest room in the building and seats about 200 people. I walked into Woodland and made a left entering the room from the back door. I looked out into the classroom to see rows of blue seats side by side on an incline. At the bottom of the room was a wood table, blackboards, an overhead projector, and a room at the left where the professor usually comes from. I also saw televisions and VCR’s in the back of that room.

I walked down the steps and stopped halfway down to take a seat on the right and said hello to a cute girl next to me.

Hi, she said back to me with a smile. She was a blonde with blue eyes, tan skin, wearing a gray t-shirt, and dark blue shorts.

What’s your name? she asked.

Jim, I replied.

I’m Rachel, she said as we shook hands.

She was talking to two people in front of us and three people behind us. They introduced themselves to me. Mike and Marla who were an item were sitting in front of me. Behind me were Suzie, Julie, and Frank. Those three met yesterday at an English class. They were very nice to me. It took me a few minutes to warm up to them because I was very shy. My head would be looking up and then down or away and then turn I would turn to look at them again.

The professor walked into the room from the side door and wrote his name, room number, and office hours on the board. His name was Howard Staff. He looked like a boring guy. He started class. He was boring! Blah, blah, blah, blah! All he did was ramble on aimlessly in his monotone voice. This was a music class! Start playing some music! It should be a cool class. I love music. Let there be music! I turned to my right looking at Rachel. She looked at me and rolled her eyes to the back of her head.

Oh my God, this guy is boring, Rachel whispered to me.

Got a pot of coffee with you? I whispered back.

I know, really, she snickered.

I believed that this class had the power to slow down, if not stop time. I kept glancing at the clock hoping class would be over as soon as possible. Looking around the room we weren’t the only ones who were bored. I skimmed through the crowd until I found something that I could not take my eyes off of. There was a beautiful girl in the middle of the room to my left. I couldn’t turn away. Her face completely droned out Mr. Staff’s voice. I didn’t give a rat’s ass what he had to say. A fire could’ve burned through the building and I would still have been sitting at my chair gazing at her. This was the first girl who caught my eye big time since Carol. I wanted to know her name. I wanted to know where she lived. What was her major? What car did she drive? I wanted to know everything about her.

She was gorgeous! She had long, brown hair, brown eyes, a few freckles, dark red lips, and an average body. She was probably about 5’6 to 5’8. She wore a red polo shirt and black shorts and was whispering something to her friend sitting to her right. I guess it was her friend. I was so focused on the girl that everything else was secondary. I hadn’t felt this way in a long time. We hadn’t even met and I already liked her. I could imagine talking to her. I could imagine us doing a lot of things together. I was enjoying her beauty until she looked in my general direction. I quickly turned my head to Mr. Staff, pretending I was listening to his lecture. I wasn’t sure if she noticed me looking at her.

Class was over. Thank God! I got up, walked down the steps, and out of the room with my new group of friends. I was looking for Red coming out of the room and noticed her coming down the steps with her friend. She took the back exit and I waited in the lobby so I could watch her walk down the steps. I enjoyed the view. She looked like Miss America taking her victory stroll.

What are you looking at? Frank asked.

Nothing.

‘Yeah, right, he said with a smile. ‘You look like you’re hypnotized.

That girl with the brown hair wearing the red shirt and black shorts, I said as I nodded my head over to her general direction. She’s gorgeous.

Hey, she is gorgeous. Who is she?

I don’t know. But I want to know who she is.

We looked at her for a few more seconds.

I can’t turn my eyes away from her. There’s something about her, I said. We both looked at her until she walked out of the building and down the steps.

NEW JOB

It wasn’t until the third week of the fall semester that I finally found my groove. I had been going to classes on a daily basis and met more and more new people. My self-confidence was slowly getting better. My grades were in the B range and I was still looking for job. I originally thought of the idea of working at my cousin’s diner. Patrick called my cousin to see if he could hire me. I suggested it because I wanted to work for someone whom I could trust since The Food Barrel scandal. I worked as a stock boy at a clothing store for a month but I quit that job because it stunk. Friday afternoon I went to Warminster West Diner to speak to my cousin Louis. I walked into the diner and saw Louis standing by the register talking to a waitress when he saw me.

Hey Jimmy! Louis gleamed.

Excuse me, Louis said to the waitress.

He walked towards me with his arms open about to give me a bear hug. How’s it going cousin? Louis asked.

Alright. How are you?

Great! You’re looking good, Louis said with a smile.

Thanks! So do you.

Are you kidding? I’m lucky that I’m in as good a shape.

Louis was a fairly big guy. He had black hair, brown eyes, and wore a blue dress shirt, gold and blue tie, blue slacks, and black shoes. Louis always dressed well and was a smart businessman. He was always upbeat

Louis and I walked into the dining room to the third booth along the window.

So what’s going on? How’s everyone doing? Lou asked.

We ‘re all doing fine. I’m doing alright. College has been a big adjustment for me but I’m surviving. I’m meeting new people and still hanging with my high school buddies too.

I’m sorry, did you want something to eat or drink? Lou asked.

No, thanks. I politely declined.

C’mon, get something, Lou demanded.

I gave in and just got soup and a soda. Louis got the same.

So, Patrick called me and told me what happened and that you are looking for a job here.

Yes, whatever you have. Preferably a bus boy or a waiter.

Lou reclined.

Well, what happened at The Food Barrel that you had to resign?

I told him the story in detail. Lou’s eyes opened wide when he heard The Food Barrel story.

What a scumbag! He was probably looking for a scapegoat. That’s wrong, Lou said.

Oh, I know, I quickly replied.

I’ll tell you what. I can use another busboy. I’ll eventually have you wait tables when you have more experience. Start busing tables so you can get a feel for the place and where everything is around the Diner. After a couple of months I’ll have you wait tables.

Lou’s wife, Missy, then walked over. Hi Jim! Missy said with a big smile on her face.

Hi Missy!

I got up to give her a hug and a kiss.

How are you doing?

Good. Things are going well. Yourself?

I’m doing great! I hear you’ll be working here?

Yes, we’ve been talking about that now.

That’s great!

Missy looked at Louis. Honey, I’m going to go, she said.

Okay. I’ll see you in a bit, Lou said.

See you later Jim.

See ya!

Missy left the Diner and we returned to our conversation.

This is what I want you to do. I want you to stop in here this Sunday. You’ll talk to Michael who is the general manager. He’s a good man. He’ll tell you all about what you’re going to do. He will have you fill out some paper work and work out a schedule. I think he will have you work Saturday and Sunday nights since that’s the only shift available. Do you have any questions?

No.

Good. I just want to give you a bit of advice.

I welcomed advice when it came from him.

Okay, I said.

I know at this stage of your life you are experiencing a big change with school, a new job, and responsibility. I know you had Patrick call me, but now’s the time you have to take the initiative and do things on your own. You’re 18 years old. You’re young but you’re a man. You’re in a maturing stage right now. In a situation like this you could have called me. You will begin to realize that the tide of responsibility will be riding on your shoulders. I’m not telling you what’s right or wrong. But I’m just saying that you now have to step up to the plate and bat for yourself. Also, with this job you will be working weekends. You’ll be working when a lot of people are off. That’s an adjustment you have to accept when you work weekend nights. I know you’re going to do great. You have a great work ethic. Put the supermarket fiasco behind you. The manager is a piece of shit. If you have any questions, problems, or if you just want to talk don’t hesitate to call me.

Alright, I said as I nodded my head.

He looked at me and smiled. Man, I can’t believe you’re in college. You and all the other cousins are making me feel old.

We laughed.

What are you talking about? You look good for your age, I said.

Yeah, right, Lou chuckled.

Alright. I guess that’s it. I guess I’ll go. We got up and shook hands. Thank you, I said.

No problem. Take care and good luck. Kiss Mom for me, Lou said.

Will do.

GONE

Four weeks into the fall semester a major event had taken place in Music. Red wasn’t there. Her friend was there, but she wasn’t.

What’s going on? I said to myself.

I glanced over to her seat every few minutes, but there was no sight of her. Red could be sick or something came up. I was dying to ask her friend where Red was. I was a bit nervous but I didn’t want to make myself sick over this.

Yo, she’s not here today, I told Frank.

I see, but I wouldn’t worry. I think she’s skipping class because Mr. Staff is so boring, Frank answered.

As class went on I looked over every ten to fifteen minutes to see if she was there. Unfortunately, she wasn’t there. As the weeks went by Red was nowhere to be found. I wasn’t sure if she dropped out of the class or school altogether. I wish I knew what happened to her. To end it like this was tough because I never had a shot to ask her out.

But this was Penn State. Red was just one of plenty of girls on campus. After that, I would think about her on occasion. I tried to block her face out of my memory. It wouldn’t be mentally healthy thinking and hoping that she would eventually come back into my life just so I could ask her out. I knew I would make myself sick if I kept thinking about it.

FRIEND

I left the cafeteria to go to the bank. It was a brisk day so I zipped up my jacket and headed for my car. I passed by the Sutherland Building when I heard a voice from behind.

Where are you going Dickhead? I recognized the voice of my good friend Roger Horton from high school. I knew he was going to school here, but I hadn’t talked to him for almost two months because we were busy doing other things and never got around to hanging out.

Yo! What’s up shithead? I said shaking hands.

Nothing, man. Hey why the fuck don’t you call me anymore? It’s been a while, Roger said in a serious tone.

I didn’t answer but Roger would always bust people’s balls with that tone of voice and call people various obscenities. Roger was a good guy. He was about 5’8, skinny with short, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, short nose, and well built with a rounded face. Roger would get into a zone where he’d ramble on and used the word fuck a lot.

So what have you been up to? Have you actually been going to class? I asked.

Yeah, sort of. I’ll go when I feel like it. I’ll read the syllabus and follow along. If I have to go to class then I’ll go.

And how many chicks have you banged so far? Roger was a ladies man. He could talk to women with such ease and his looks helped too.

Here, none. Off campus, two. My friends and I idolized Roger in high school.

And what about you? Roger said tapping my right arm. Has Jimmy gotten any play?

Yes, I did, I said tapping his right arm. As a matter of fact I got some last Friday night, I said smiling.

Your right hand doesn’t count, Roger said.

No! I got play.

Did I fuck her already? Roger asked.

Probably. That was the joke with him. He would always say things like that.

Now I have competition. The Lion is on the prowl! Roger grinned.

Damn right I am! I said.

"Well Dude, it was good seeing you. I have to head to