It is a Monday, Just like any other normal Monday, and the beeping

of the alarm clock reminds Joe that the weekend is over.

He stumbles out of bed and walks over to the bathroom to wash

his face. Looking in the mirror, like so many times before, he takes

a step back and notices something within himself that wasn't there

before.

"Where is Sally? I thought our talk in the park was helping?  Ever since

Sally started college, she finds little or no time for him.

"I don't want to get in her way. I just really miss the Sally I used to know.

Why do things always have to change?  ", He thinks to himself.

"I guess I need to get to work too."

He quickly gets ready for work and drives his car  to the diner

to stop for a quick breakfast. He likes to go to the Golden Gate because

everyone is so friendly and make him feel good.

As he opens the door, he immediately feels at home and the waitress

waves hello and points to the counter where there are many

seats left.

"Hey, Joe! How ya doing? What'll it be today? The usual? Let me get your

coffee, okay sweetie?", the waitress smiles at him while pouring a

coffee for him. "Have you heard from Sally yet?"

"Nope and maybe she likes it that way, but I sure don't!", Joe says

sadly.

"Awww, don' t sweat it sweetie, she will come around. She is probably

busy with school and stuff. I am sure she misses you too. Probably

waiting for you to talk to her first.", she says as she pats his back.

"You always know the right thing to say. Thanks. I like coming

here. I remember when my Dad used to bring us here on Sundays.

I would always order the biggest stack of pancakes ever!! And my sister

and I would have a bet on who could finish it the fastest!!", Joe laughs.

"That's great, Joe. Keep remembering the good times. Try not to

worry about her. She knows where you are if she wants to talk to you.

Go out and have some fun, okay? "

"Fun? "

Joe just looked at her walk away and wait on the other customers.

Maybe she was right.  But his heart felt torn up inside and he couldn't

figure out why.

He quickly finished his breakfast and went to work. The day went

by fast enough and he just focused on what was right in front of him

and even asked for more so he didn't have to think much. Just work.

It seemed to help for a while but every time he looked out the window,

his eyes just teared up.

He missed her.

So he decided that he would just call her up and invite her to go out

with him for nothing special just to be together. Maybe a movie or

dinner.

Dialing her number, his hands started to shake. "That's odd. How come

this number is out of order? This is the number she always had?

 Did she change her number too?" Let me drive by her

house and see if she is at home?"

As he arrived at Sally's house, there was a strange black car in the

driveway, as he approached the door, Joe heard laughter and Sally's

voice. He gathered up his courage and knocked.

The door opens and a young man answers.

"I came by to see Sally? Is she in?"

"Yeah, she's here, but we are studying.  Come on in! Sally? Some

guy wants to talk to you. Do you know this guy? What's your name?"

"Joe,  don't worry fella, she knows me. Trust me."

Sally walks up to the door and stops short.  She feels embarrassed

as she greets Joe. She can't look him in the eye.

"Sally, can we talk in the kitchen please?", Joe asks.

"Sure, Joe.. I'll be right back Brad., okay."

"Ah, No sweat,, but remember we have a ton of studying to do!"

Joe and Sally walk into the kitchen and sit down at the kitchen table.

Joe reaches over to Sally and takes her hand. She pulls back and

says, "Don't".

"What's going on Sally? Why have you been avoiding me? We are more

than friends. We share so much? It's okay. Just talk to me. I am Joe

and I care about you? Who is this clown in the other room? He seems

like a jerk to me!",  Joe asks Sally.

"Listen, Joe.  College is hard. I have so much more homework than

in high school! If it wasn't for Brad I would be totally lost. He is so smart

and he is helping tutor me with my chemistry and math. I have to do

well in all my subjects because I have a scholarship, remember? 

I need space and I need to focus on school right now, not you."

"Wow, Sally! That was cold!! There is always time for me and if

you needed help, why didn't you ask me?? I am very smart also

and I am good at chemistry and math!! Not like that slimeball

in the other room. Come on, Sally, how much do you really

know about that guy? Are you sure he doesn't want more than

to help you with your math homework? You are so naive!!"

By the way, Sally, why did you change your phone number? "

"I didn't change my phone number , Joe, I just forgot to pay the bill. I

just was so busy that I forgot. Sorry."

Joe reaches across the table once again and says, "Sally, I really

like you. Do me a favor. Take a day off from studying and send

Brad boy packing. I can help you out myself. And besides I

want you all to myself today. Would you like to go out

for a movie or dinner? It's been so long since we see each

other and we can't let telephones or misunderstandings or

even school come between us. We need to talk and spend

time together. Please Sally. Do this for me, for us. "

"I don't know, Joe. I really am stupid about alot of things. I thought

you didn't care, so I buried myself under my schoolwork to try

to forget you. I look in your eyes right now and all I want to do

is hold you close.  I like you too Joe. I always have.. Come here

Joe, I want to hold you."

Sally holds him close and Joe whispers.

"You know Sally, you and I are something. We assume things

and keep love under a hat and let time go by when all we need

to do is open up our hearts and be ourselves."

"Yeah, I know. Yes, I could use your help with math and chem. I didn't

know you were so smart.!"

"Well, Sally you never asked. You ran to Brad boy looking for

comfort when it was right here all along."

Sally walks into the living room.

"Hey Brad, thanks for the help, but Joe is here now and he

is all I need.

"Oh really?", Brad says.

"See ya Brad", Sally says as she shows him the door.

"Okay but if you flunk math , don't blame me. "

"You know something, Brad, I don't care if I flunk math. Its not

that important anymore. I just needed to be reminded

what really matters.