I overheard a conversation today between Jonathan and Lauren that I found rather interesting. Well, strictly speaking, Lauren overheard the conversation, but as I was with her, I heard it too.
Despite the pressing questions of Jonathan’s mother, he and Lauren are in no hurry to define their relationship. They are comfortable with one another, content simply to enjoy one another, and I think this is a fine way to be about things. So they spend time together, going on occasional dates, and do not talk much about the future. They both feel, and I agree, that the time will come to discuss their future.
In some small way, it has come now.
Today, after school, Lauren came by the store. Jonathan was busy with a customer, so she went back to his armchair and settled in with a book. He came briefly to say hello and talk about her day, but before the conversation really got started the phone rang, and rang again before he could leave the desk. He made apologetic faces at Lauren, who laughed as the bell at the door rang.
For the most part, she ignored the afternoon busyness, but something one of the later customers said caught her attention.
“—just wanted to thank you for all your help putting the musical together this year, Mr. Harris.”
“Oh, it was a pleasure.”
Lauren leaned forward to peer around the corner and recognized the mother of one of her students. Jonathan saw her looking and twitched a brow, so she fell back into the chair, still listening.
“No, really, I mean it. My daughter Hayley heard that they might not be able to do one this year, and she was so disappointed. I’m so glad that she had the chance to participate.”
“Hayley,” Jonathan mused, handing the woman her bags. “She wasn’t the lead, was she? I remember seeing her name.”
“No, she was just in the chorus line, but it still meant a lot to her to be able to get onstage. It’s what she hopes to do, you know.”
“No kidding? Music theatre’s a tough gig.”
The mother sighed. “I know.” She pulled her bags off the counter. “I’m just glad she wasn’t disappointed before she even had the chance to start.”
“Wait just a minute, Mrs. Ternes.” Jonathan was pulling out a piece of paper. “Jot down Hayley’s information for me. I’ve got a buddy who works at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh—have you heard of it?”
Lauren snorted softly to herself, and Mrs. Ternes laughed. “It’s the second-best BFA program in the nation, so yes, I’ve heard of it.”
“Oh.” Jonathan seemed mildly surprised by this. “Well, I’ll shoot him a line tonight and see if he’s willing to give Hayley some advice. She’s a junior, right?”
“Yes, well remembered.” Mrs. Ternes also seemed surprised.
“So she may already be thinking colleges, but if she’s not Jess might have some good tips for her.” He wrote something quickly on the paper and tore it in half, handing part to her. “Here. It can’t hurt for Hayley to reach out.”
Somewhat bewildered, Mrs. Ternes took the paper. “Thank you, Mr. Harris.” She considered him for a moment. “It’s really very kind of you to take such an interest.”
He shrugged, a bit embarrassed. “I was a kid not long ago. It’s not easy. I just like to help.”
“Hmm.” She smiled at him. “You know, Joyce Walker is stepping down from the school board at the end of the school year. You should consider running.”
Lauren sat up straight at this. She immediately loved the idea, as did I. We both knew that Jonathan would do an excellent job in this position.
So we were both astonished and dismayed to hear Jonathan saying, “Oh, no, I couldn’t.”
“Why not? The board could do worse than someone who goes out of his way for students the way you do. And no one has forgotten your mother’s contributions to the community.”
“Well, my feet are far too small to step into my mother’s shoes,” Jonathan said with a small smile, stepping out from behind the counter and shuffling Mrs. Ternes toward the door. “Much less Joyce Walker’s.”
“You still should think about it. You’d certainly get my vote.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ternes, but I’m sure you’ll have someone much better to vote for. You give that address to Hayley, now, and tell her I said good luck. Thank you.” He all but shoved her out of the store and closed the door so sharply that the bell clanged against the glass.
When he turned around, Lauren was standing behind him with her hands on her hips. I could see his heart sinking.
“Well, I think it’s a great idea,” she said.
“Why?” Jonathan asked, raising his brows and smiling. “So you can have an inside man on the budget decisions?”
“That, but also so our kids will have someone on the board who’s on their side,” Lauren said, leaning over the counter as he stepped back behind it. “You would be so good at it, Jonathan!”
“Politics and meetings and arguing with people,” he said, shaking his head. “I have enough to do, Lauren, thank you.” He reached for her hand. “If you’re hungry, I could close up early and we could head down to Blakeley’s for dinner.”
She pulled her hand away. “Don’t change the subject, please. Why don’t you want to do it? It would be perfect for you.”
He straightened up, and I could see him drawing himself in, hiding his emotions as he always used to. I covered him with my wing, reminding him that he could trust Lauren, and he softened a little. “Look,” he said, taking her hand again. “I just don’t think it would be right for me. Now, please, can we drop it for now?”
Lauren was not at all put off, but I encouraged her to keep quiet for now, as continuing to push Jonathan will only make him close himself off further. But she has not forgotten, and nor have I. There is something that troubles Jonathan in this idea, and I think I will be able to find out, with Lauren’s help. Maybe this is the reason I was assigned to him.
I will write again with news.