Farewell, Fair Child, Part 3

By J.J. Amirikhas

The book is about a young man's coming of age while going through four years of high school. It is autobiographical, but not an autobiography. It also has allusions to the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, and some references to Catcher in the Rye. It is in three parts, with a prologue and an epilogue. Part one covers freshman year, part two sophomore and junior years, and part three senior year. As mentioned, it involves the social and sexual awakening of a young man, and it covers the years of childhood to adolescence. There is also a brief section about the young man's native country of Iran.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664167919

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Copyright © 2021 by J.J. Amirikhas.

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/07/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

827876

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

1. Jason Tristrum–main character. The story is told from his point of view.

2. Shahar Tristrum–Jason’s older sister

3. Aunt Charlotte–Jason’s aunt

4. Lucy Morrison–Jason’s cousin, same age

5. Alison Morrison–Jason’s older cousin

6. Milton Morrison–Jason’s oldest cousin

7. Jeremy Jensen–boyfriend and then husband of Alison

8. Cissy–Alison’s first child

9. Scottie–Alison’s second child

10. Rick Prozzano–Jason’s best friend

11. Russ Wessler–Jason’s second best friend

12. Mike Hoo–Jason’s third best friend

13. Gary Harlan–Jason’s rival for Mary Ann

14. Glenn Nelson–a fellow student

15. Mark Milner–another fellow student

16. Chris Neville–Paris High’s All-American boy, represents Christian de Neuvillete in the story of Cyrano de Bergerac

17. Lenny Clarke–Jason’s main enemy, brother to Salonne

18. Salonne Robinson–Jason’s main love, representing Roxane in the story of Cyrano

19. Mary Ann Wilkins–Jason’s best girlfriend

20. Janice Martin–a fellow student, girlfriend of Russ

21. Deidre DeLovack–another fellow student, girlfriend of Rick

22. Lana Ling–another fellow student, girlfriend of Mike

23. Fiona Fleming–Jason’s favorite teacher

24. Mr. Lawson–another teacher, later husband of Fiona Fleming

25. Mr. Terretier–drama teacher

26. Mr. Oldham–Principal of Paris High

27. Amara Afshari-Persian friend of Shahar, Jason’s sister

28. Shahnaz Afshari–sister of Amara

29. Azeez–cousin of Amara

30. Ursula Brooks–artist friend of Jason

31. Bill Hartford–Jason’s first employer

32. John Livingston–Shahar’s boyfriend

33. Hassan–Persian landlord and sexual harrasar of Shahar

34. Amir–Hassan’s brother

35. Jacy–sister of Russ

36. Felicia Price–black bride’s maid and friend of Alison

37. Mrs. Musicke–receptionist at the high school

38. Mr. Birde–music teacher and choir leader at Paris High

39. George Dondass–a Greek student

40. Gillian de Conda–a Jamaican student

41. Fran Larsen–fat, ugly student

42. Richie–Mary Ann’s youngest brother

43. Jack–Mary Ann’s other brother

44. Phyllis Clarke–Lenny and Salonne’s cousin

45. Chute Sands–vicious sidekick of Lenny

46. Mr. Marco–science teacher

47. Mr. Parker–geometry teacher

48. Julian James–student

49. Stella–maid to Hassan and Amir

50. Rudy Justin–Lucy’s boyfriend

CONTENTS

PART THREE

SENIOR

HIGH SCHOOL-TSA CLUB

Chapter 53

Chapter 54 — High school - Salonne

Chapter 55 — High school-TSA party

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

HIGH SCHOOL-SHAHNAZ

Chapter 58

Chapter 59 — High school-Shahnaz and Lenny

Chapter 60 — High school-dance

Chapter 61 — High school-The big figh

Chapter 62 — High school-first love (emotional)

Chapter 63

Chapter 64 — High school-first love (physical)

Chapter 65

SEXY IS......

Chapter 66

Chapter 67 — Amara

Chapter 68 — Alison

Chapter 69 — Lucy

HIGH SCHOOL-SALONNE

Chapter 70

Chapter 71 — High school-Mary Ann

Chapter 72 — High school-prom

Chapter 73 — High school-Shahnaz

Chapter 74 — High school-Salonne and Mary Ann

Epilogue

PART THREE

SENIOR

SECTION

SEVENTEEN

High school-TSA Club

53

I got Mr. Lawson again for homeroom. I could not believe it. When I looked at my schedule card to check my homeroom number, it read 224. Mr. Lawson’s homeroom number was 222. However, it seemed this year they had changed his room for some reason, moved him to 224, and just by chance–some chance–I had fallen in with him for the fourth year in a row!

It was an injustice, I thought. An outrage! It would not do. I had to get my schedule changed.

But as I entered the room, claimed my seat and looked about me, I did not mind so much being in Lawson’s class once again. In fact, I did not mind it at all. Salonne Robinson was again in the same homeroom with me.

I was delighted to see her. I had missed her over the summer as I always did. I waved at her and motioned for her to come sit beside me, but she declined; signaling me to go sit by her instead, playing the coquette. I was happy to oblige.

She looked different. She had changed her hairstyle: cut it quite short. It used to hang down, long, fluffy, framing her face. The new style, reaching only to her ears, made her look older, more mature, more sophisticated. If less attainable.

She had stuck a purple ribbon in her hair, catching at the purple in her eyes, and it went well with the snazzy lavender outfit she had on. She looked her best in lavender. The total effect was one of high fashion and desirability.

As I took the seat beside her, someone else entered the room. I glanced up to see it was Russ. He scanned the room. I waved to him. He spotted me and strolled over to drop his rangy from in the seat next to me.

Hiya, Jace, he said warmly, clapping me on the back, as he settled himself in the chair.

Hi. You in this homeroom?

Yeah.

Good.

Mr. Lawson rapped on his desk, calling the class to order, and, pushing up the horn-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his pug nose, he gave us a little welcome back talk; mentioned a few of the school rules, homeroom procedures and such. He had relaxed a few of his stringent strictures over the years, but he was still a toughie. Now we could sit where we wanted, until and unless he was forced to move us, as he put it, but we still could not talk above a whisper and we had to do homework.

After he was through, Mr. Lawson passed out attendance cards for us to fill.

Listen, Jace, I got an idea that might turn out to be interesting, Russ said as we were filling out the Delaney cards. Like to hear it?

Sure. Shoot.

Let’s form a club, he proposed. You know, like a fraternity in college. We’ll call it Theta Sigma Alpha, or TSA, for short. How does that sound?

I signed my name to the bottom of the Delaney card, grinned. Sounds good. But fraternities are illegal in high school.

"I said like a fraternity. It won’t be a fraternity; it’ll be more of a club. A co-ed club."

I was intrigued. Hey, yeah.

Russ smiled, pleased at my reaction. It’ll work. We’ll have meetings, elect officers, have parties, and such. It’ll be great.

How’d you come to think of this?

It’s getting close to college time, baby. I visited a few college campuses in the summer, sort of measuring the layouts. I saw the frat houses on the campus. That’s what gave me the idea.

The door opened and another student entered the room. My face split in a grin as I saw who it was. Mary Ann. This homeroom was getting more interesting by the minute.

Mr. Lawson looked up from his pile of Delaney cards. You’re late, he told Mary Ann.

She smiled nervously, not looking around. Yes. I’m sorry. There was a mix-up. I went to the wrong room.

All right. Take a seat in the back. Fill out this card and return it to me at the end of the period. He gave her an attendance card. Next time you’re late, try to get a pass, hm?

Mary Ann nodded and lifted her head to survey the back of the room. She saw me and started a smile, walked toward my desk.

Hi, she said, stopping at my desk.

Hello, I greeted her.

I know why you’re late, Russ said to her. Smoking in the girls’ room, right?

Shhhhhhh. Mary Ann put a finger to her lips.

Have a seat, please, Mr. Lawson called from the front of the room.

Oh, bugger off, Russ muttered under his breath.

Mary Ann chuckled and chose an empty seat in front of us.

Unlike Salonne, Mary Ann seemed not changed much. She was her old sweet self. She had jeans on, quite tight.

So what do you think? Russ said to me, resuming our previous conversation.

Sounds interesting. You think anybody’ll go for it?

When they hear the plans I have in mind, they’ll come flocking. So listen. Tell Rick when you see him. And Mike. And anybody else you want. We’ll have a meeting after school.

Where?

Anywhere. In one of the teachers’ rooms.

I turned to Salonne, took her hand in mine. Want to join our TSA Club?

She furrowed her brow. What club?

TSA Club. That stands for Theta Sigma Alpha. We’re holding a meeting this afternoon.

What’s the purpose of the club?

The purpose is to have fun, Russ put in. We’ll have parties and things.

What’s this about a club? Mary Ann turned around in her seat, wanting to know.

I let go of Salonne’s hand. Come to the meeting and you’ll find out.

Where’s the meeting?

In one of the teachers’ rooms.

That sure helps. There are eighty teachers in this school.

Why don’t you try to get Mr. Terretier’s room? I suggested to Salonne. You’re his favorite pupil, the president of the Dramatics Club and everything.

Mm. All right. I’ll try.

Okay, Russ said. You all be at the meeting.

I was late getting to Mr. Terretier’s classroom after school. I had gym the last period and was slow getting dressed. When I got there, I almost could not get in! The place crawled with kids, jumping and jawing, more coming in by the second. There were at least forty kids in the room! I was astounded. I had not expected a turnout like that at all. But it seemed everyone had told everyone else and they all had been sufficiently curious to come see what the thing was about.

Russ and Rick were standing at the front of the room, trying to bring about some sort of order, their arms waving. Mr. Terretier was not around. Neither was Salonne. But Mary Ann was there; and Deidre, Janice. Lana. And a host of other girls. It was great to be back in school.

When some order was established, elections were held. Lo and behold, I was nominated for president by Mary Ann and beat out Russ for the office. In all fairness, Russ should have gained the position. The whole thing had been his idea, after all. He had originated the notion of forming a club, and he was more of a take-charge guy; he could marshal more control than I could.

But, being better known, mainly because of my antics in a few plays and stage productions, I was chosen as president; and I was not about to abdicate my crown. Russ was voted vice-president. And Mary Ann would be the corresponding secretary of the club.

When’s the party going to be? Mary Ann said, broaching the subject the next day in homeroom.

Whenever out illustrious president says so, Russ clapped me on the shoulder. Since it’s going to be at his house.

Wait just a second, I cut in. Who decided that?

Russ pretended surprise. Didn’t you know? The privilege goes with being elected pres.

You never told me that.

I just did.

Now you tell me. Thanks. Well, I got news for you. I resign. You can be the president. You throw the party.

You can’t resign. It’s undemocratic.

Tough.

Oh, Jason, Mary Ann broke in. Don’t be a party-pooper. She took my hand in hers. You give the first party, then we’ll take turns. Right? She looked to Russ for confirmation.

Right, he affirmed.

I reflected. Party in my house? In that small apartment? No chance. Maybe at Aunt Charlotte’s house–

Are we agreed then? Russ poked me in the ribs. The party will be at your house?

It can’t be at my house. Maybe at my aunt’s house. I’ll have to ask her if it’s okay.

So ask her.

Now?

Why not? Russ laughed. Go down to the office and call her.

Humph, I snorted. I’ll ask her when I want. Incidentally, if the party’s going to be at my aunt’s house, we can’t possibly have as many people as there were at the meeting. We’ll have to weed some out.

We’ll have dues.

Suppose they all pay?

We’ll make it steep. Three dollars.

Then no one’ll pay, Mary Ann said and laughed.

She’s right, I agreed. We’ll have to think of something else.

Russ thought a moment, his long jaw working. I have it, he said at last. We’ll make a list of those we want at the party, from among those who were at the meeting. The rest will have to be initiated. Just like in a frat.

That’s a good idea, Mary Ann approved.

I’ll make the list, I said, looked at Mary Ann. Or rather you will, while I dictate.

54

High school-Salonne

The word about the party got around. By third period when I was on my way to the art class, all types of goons approached me wanting to attend the party. I realized Mary Ann and I would have to draw up that list of the select few who would be automatic members fast. We had to draw a line somewhere, set some limit to the thing.

As I chose a table in a corner of the art class and sat down on the chair tucked under it, a copper-haired girl pulled out the seat alongside and filled it. I turned to look at Salonne.

Hi, I said brightly.

Hi, she returned, set her white purse on the table. When’s the party?

Salonne had not been in homeroom