Why Me? (Part 2)

by Cyndi Woods

   Jill’s’ counselor stepped in the room, then quickly stepped to the side. To Jill’s utter surprise, the boy from the waiting room appeared in the doorway. He wheeled into the space next to Jill, his mother following behind. She tried not to look so taken-a-back, but she knew her eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

   The counselor began speaking, “Jill I would like you to meet my friend Randy”. The boy extended his hand to Jill and she slowly took it in greeting. She couldn’t seem to pull herself together enough to stop staring at him. “I would also like to introduce Randy’s’ mother Sharon”, the counselor announced. Jill also shook Sharon’s’ hand then observed how the woman clasped her mother’s hands between her own in some sort of unspoken understanding. The counselor spoke yet again, “Jill I wanted you to meet and talk with Randy because I feel that you two have a lot in common”. Jill noticed that the boy still had that smile on his face she had seen in the waiting-room. “how’s it goin’ Jill?” Randy asked. “Um, fine I guess” she lied. “what kinds of things do you like to do?” he inquired. “Uh, I read a lot. I guess I like to watch TV too, and I do a little writing.” Jill responded uncomfortably. “That’s cool!” Randy smiled.

   “Well if you two will be ok for a little bit, there is a few things I would like to discuss with your moms next door for a few minutes.”, the counselor announced. Before Jill could protest, the boy was saying “Sure, we’ll be just fine.” The three adults left the room leaving the door open— Jill was grateful for that.

   “So, tell me a little more about yourself Jill.”, Randy said, leaning forward in his chair. His blue eyes were on her face waiting for a reply. She looked sheepishly away saying “There’s not that much to tell.” She said. “OK then, I’ll tell you a little more about me.” He leaned back again and began his story.

   “I am 17 years old and I have two sisters and one brother. I also have two dogs and two cats. I guess you could say my parents like to do things in even numbers.” He chuckled. Jill found his voice easy to listen to and even braved a smile at his little joke. “I live on what you might call a farm though I don’t get up with the chickens or milk the cows, mainly because we don’t have either of them.” He laughed again. “Although we all have our fair share of tasks to do around the place. We have wood stoves as our source of heat so it is my job to cut the firewood.” Jill couldn’t hide her amazement. She stared at him with her green eyes wide and the question apparently on her face. “That surprises you eh?” he said. “Yeah I guess it does.” She responded. “Well I’ve never seen anyone chop wood with their feet so I figure I can use my arms and hands just like anyone else.” He said with complete confidence. “I also take out the trash, which I would happily relinquish if I could, and I take our dogs for a walk every night”. Jill was feeling more at ease the more he talked.

   “I also have hobbies that keep me busy. I like to weight-lift, swim, and play basketball.” Jill couldn’t believe how much he did given his circumstances. There was no way she could do any of those things. Randy continued, “I’m on the swim team at school and I really enjoy that. I have been thinking about the track team but I don’t know yet, I don’t want to overload my time and take away from my studies too much.” Studies? Jill hadn’t even thought about that, she was so caught up in his adventures. “Now how ‘bout you?” he asked again.

   Jill felt that there was nothing she could say to compare. “I don’t do any of those things.” She said quietly. There was a slight pause, then he replied, “Well that’s good, ‘cause it would be a pretty boring conversation if you just said that you did all those same things.” He smiled. “Let’s not worry about the things you don’t do, let’s focus on what you are doing. “You mentioned that you do a little writing… what kind of stuff do you like to write?” he asked. “Um, I usually write short stories or sometimes poetry.” She told him, all the while looking down at her hands in her lap. “That’s awesome!” he exclaimed. “I couldn’t write a poem if my life depended on it, I reflect on the roses are red poem with admiration on how someone could come up with such a fine piece of literature.” Jill caught herself laughing out loud. “I only write when I’m in a mood too, most of the time I just watch the neighborhood kids riding bikes or taking a walk together while I’m watching television. I can see them out our living room window.” She said. Randy looked at her quizzically, “Why do you just watch from the window?” he asked. “Well obviously I can’t walk and I can’t ride a bike, so why would I ask to join?” she asked with a little more venom then she’d intended. “Well the way I see it, you can just take a leisurely roll while they are walking and your two wheels are already built in so to speak for the bike rides.” He offered. She knew that made perfect sense, why had she not thought of it like that before. She had so much she wanted to know about him, but one question loomed above the others. “Could I ask you something?” she dared to say. “Sure, what is it?”

Look for part 3 next Tuesday!