Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 19:14:24 -0500
From: Dave <dabeagle@nycap.rr.com>
Subject: Changing Classes

	Holy shit was I bored. I sat looking out over the back yard from
the French doors on the balcony. It stretched until it reached a copse of
trees about two acres away. The snow blanketed the whole thing so it looked
like a Christmas card. I could see the groundskeeper in the attached
greenhouse tending to the weeds my mother favored most, tediously
transplanting those that had grown too large into a more suitable pot. I
sighed and walked across the room, bare feet sinking into the plush carpet,
and made my way to my bathroom. The doors were oak and extended from floor
to ceiling arching together at the top. I stepped onto the cold marble of
the bathroom and crossed to the tub.
	The tub was a favorite of mine, claw footed with gold accented
handles. I adjusted the shower temperature and climbed in. As I washed the
night from my body I felt no need to rush, and it's not just 'cause I'm a
teenager either. I just had nothing to do.
	The warm water coursed over me and at last I decided I was wrinkled
enough and climbed out. I toweled off quickly and dressed in a wind suit
for my morning run. I pulled on running shoes and headed to the
sunroom. There was toast and coffee, orange juice and eggs. Same damn thing
every Saturday morning for as long as I can remember. The silver service
was laid out on either side of the plate and the serving man stood in the
corner waiting to be called into service. I sighed as I sat down to eat my
breakfast alone again. After eating I stretched and went out to run. The
area we live in allows for quite a bit of space between houses so I just
run down the street until I reach town, about five miles or so. I stop for
a breather and then head back. It gets me exercise, which I need, and it
gives me time to think, which I don't need. As I head down the driveway I
reflect on just how much time I have to do nothing but think. I attended a
private school and I could do with out the majority of people there. My few
friends there were pretty cool I guess, but we never saw each other outside
that environment unless we made a 'play date'. Have you ever heard of
anything so fucked up? A play date.
	My Parents were very successful and oh so proper, and to make it
worse they were old money so you can imagine how they sniffed at the
'nouveau riche' that had begun to populate this area in the past ten
years. So as it stood I had little in the way of companionship and it
sucked. I guess the one good thing about my folks is that they were so busy
they pretty much left me alone, which suited me fine. I knew they had me
only because it was popular to have one child and no more than that, and so
mother had her tubes tied as was also fashionable in higher circles.
	I continued down the road towards town, breath pluming from my
mouth in even, measured breaths. This was how I spent most of my free time,
being alone and thinking. Wondering what it's like to have people over or
to just go visit without setting it up two weeks in advance. Jesus, when
can I be a real person? The trees I was passing gave way to fields as I
approached the outskirts of town. I saw more cars the closer I got to the
center of town and I was very aware of feeling conspicuous running in the
winter, but it got me out of the house for a few hours so, who cares? I
slowed as I stepped onto the first sidewalk and in a few minutes was in the
heart of the shopping district here. All three blocks of it. This too was
part of my routine as I walked the area to cool down and stay loose for my
return trip. I looked in the shop windows and watched the people out for a
day of shopping or just looking at things they would like to have. I have
news for them, material things won't make you happy. Grin maybe, but not
make you really happy..
	I was passing the soda fountain in town when I noticed our
housekeeper inside. Greta Fanning was just about the sweetest person you
could ever hope to meet and she smiled warmly as she saw me and beckoned me
inside. I entered the building and ordered a hot chocolate before going to
sit with her. I'd have to run extra hard to work off the chocolate, I knew.
	"Master Quinn what are you doing running like that? Dressed like
that? You'll catch cold you will, just you wait!" She scolded.
	"Miss Greta, I have to dress this way to run and I just can't stand
being cooped up by myself, you know that." I smiled, "Besides if I get sick
I can stay home and you can take care of me!"
	"Oh, boys are impossible!" She threw up her hands in mock disgust.
	"So what brings you down here this morning, now that you know why
I'm here?" I asked.
	"Well, my sister hasn't been well you know, she's got the
Cancer. She smoked for years and it finally caught up with her. I'm afraid
she won't be coming home from the hospital this time."
	"Oh, Miss Greta I'm sorry, I had no idea it was that bad. You had
mentioned she wasn't well, but I was...I'm sorry."
	"Oh, you're sweet Master Quinn, but I came to terms with it a long
time ago. She knew what she was doing and there wasn't anyone going to tell
her different. Still though, I am going to miss her."
	A silence fell over us before I broke it again, "But Miss Greta,
that doesn't tell me why you're here in this shop this morning. I thought
you go to your knitting bee on Saturdays."
	"Such a sweet man you are, remembering my schedule! You know,
you'll make someone really happy someday because you pay attention to the
details in a person's life. Truth be told I am here this morning because of
my nephew. My sister's only child is going to stay with me for a time, he's
got no where else to go. Our parents died when we were young and he's the
only family I have left. So, I take him in." She paused, "its going to be
strange having someone in the house, you know. I haven't had anyone live
with me since my Michael passed almost six years now. And never did we have
the sound of small feet! Well not that his feet are small now, lord he's
your age Master Quinn. But it will take some getting used to. Still his
life will improve being here I think, he's never had much you see. My
sister, God bless her, she was never what one would call respectable. Don't
get the wrong idea, I loved her, but that poor boy hasn't really known
family his whole life."
	I mulled this new development over. I had known of Miss Greta's
sister being sick, I had chanced on her in my bathroom one morning with
damp eyes and had questioned her. She had resisted momentarily; it wasn't
proper she'd said to tell your employer of your personal troubles. I
insisted that she tell me, as I certainly wasn't the one that paid her
wages each week. In the end she had relented and I had given her a brief
hug, more than my social standing allows for by a long shot, but what the
hell? She had obviously needed comforting and I was handy. Also, she was a
very nice woman who always paid attention when I spoke, unlike most of the
house staff. Friendship, it is said, is a two way street. Now the
development of a nephew was a new wrinkle. Miss Greta was paid well, and
her husband had left her a decent pension so I knew she was all right
financially, but what about emotionally? She wasn't in any position to look
after anyone, at least that was my opinion.
	"So he's coming on the bus I am guessing?" I asked, knowing that
the only transport in and out of this town outside of a personal vehicle
was the bus, the train having long since stopped running in this area.
	"Yes, he's due anytime now and I came a bit early to meet
him. He'll be nervous, you know. New place and he's never even seen me
before, poor lad." She moved her hands restlessly in her lap, fidgeting and
quietly stating that she knew nothing of raising a teenager.
	"Would you like me to wait with you a bit, Miss Greta?" I asked,
hoping to convey some comfort at having another person with her.
	"Oh I wouldn't want to keep...oh, there is the bus! Oh, my what do
I do? I don't know what to say or what to...Master Quinn, I have to go to
the bus and get my nephew but..."
	"But what Miss Greta?" I asked.
	"I am not really sure what he looks like." She said quietly, "This
all happened so fast for me, she just called a month ago to tell me that
the fight was truly lost..."
	"I'll walk with you to the bus, Miss Greta. We can find him a bit
easier with four eyes rather than two, right?"
	We stood and walked through the crowd to the front door, and out to
the waiting group that had clustered near the front of the bus. It was a
small group to be sure; well maybe there weren't enough people to consider
it a group. How many people comprise a group anyway? Wow, I must be
ridiculously anal just to consider the question!
	People filed off the bus and I was growing a bit impatient to start
for home since the wind suit is great while your moving, it helps to keep
some body heat in, but it's awful to stand around in. I watched as a boy my
age stepped off the bus, and my breath caught in my throat. His clothes
were clean but threadbare, with shiny thin spots showing in the joints. His
shoes were well used but hiding scuffs as best they could, all in all
someone who took care of what they had and did the best they could was my
impression.
	But the face was something else again. It was creme colored like
coffee with half-and-half mixed in, his hair fine and caught between blond
and brown, and spectacular green eyes. I wished I could drown in those
eyes. Miss Greta was fussing over him and it was obvious to me that she
must have recognized her nephew despite her concerns. She turned as she
suddenly remembered I was waiting with her and made noises about her being
rude.
	"Master Quinn, I am so sorry, where is my head? This is my nephew,
Drew. It isn't short for Andrew, my sister just had to be different you
know - couldn't just give him a Christian name, not her!"
	He smiled shyly and butterflies took flight in my stomach. What was
wrong with me? My palms were sweating and I felt so nervous meeting this
absolutely gorgeous guy. What?!?!
	"Pleased to meet you, sir." He said shyly and proffered his hand to
me. I returned the greeting and shook his hand automatically.
	I excused myself quickly and began a slow jog that turned into a
trot as I headed for the house. Once again I was left with my thoughts and
the sounds of my pounding feet as I thought about this new development. I
had never, ever had those feelings before. No one had ever struck me just
so, what made this one special? Time would tell I supposed, unfortunately
my mind would not take that as an answer and it continued to churn trying
to make heads or tails of it. For the first time in a long time I was
utterly confused.
	After returning to the house and showering I spent much of the day
trying to be occupied. The video games just weren't doing it for me and the
TV is just too mindless. I couldn't even concentrate on reading, which I
love to do because thoughts of Drew kept intruding on me. Every person on
the TV was compared to him; characters in books were no where near as
interesting. And I knew nothing of him! What made matters worse were I had
no idea what I was to do about it, there was no reason behind my
quandary. In short I just didn't know what to do or how to handle these
emotions. And so, I thought on them through out the day trying to make
heads or tails of it all.
	About two o'clock Miss Greta came in to do the Saturday lightwork,
which was dusting the unused library mostly. You see, certain areas of the
house were reserved for my parents, and the library belonged to my father,
not that he was ever here long enough to read anything. My parents had
perfected the absentee marriage with my father on constant assignment with
his company, usually in the Far East, and my mother on almost constant
sabbatical at her families' estate in France. So where does that leave me
you ask? Well, alone mostly. I had a nanny for several years, but she moved
when she got married and was never replaced. The staff does all the
laundry, cooking, et al ad nauseum. Anyway, talking to Greta was usually a
high point in the day for me, and today I had plenty I wanted to hear her
talk about.
	I greeted her in the library and she chattered away as she swept
through the room.
	"So how is Drew settling in?" I asked innocently.
	"Oh, just wonderfully! I put him in the guestroom I have and he
started to clean and spruce the room up, it looks so nice. And he is so
sweet, I just love him. He says he's cooking a nice casserole tonight so I
don't have to cook. I love having him already!"
	"He seemed to be a quiet sort." I commented, hoping to provoke more
information.
	"Well he was quiet for a bit, and then he started to ask questions
about the town and my job, and yourself Master Quinn."
	"Me?" I squeaked, which I never do, "What did he want to know about
me?" I asked.
	"Oh, well," She said dropping her hands in front of her and taking
on a more formal posture, "I think he was just interested in seeing if he
could make friends, naturally I informed him of our lower standing in the
community. Of course, there is no way and your parents! I shudder to think,
they would never approve. I'm afraid it just wouldn't do."
	"Naturally." I nodded instinctively, but already trying to figure
out a way around that.
	"Mr. Kelley, the gardener you know, is going to take him on for the
extra help in clearing the greenhouse and such. That will keep him busy
until school starts. What a shame though, you get a week off from school
and we have a storm coming in on Monday. You know when I was a girl my
school.."
	I will be honest; I didn't hear anything after the bit about Drew
working for Mr. Kelley on Monday. I felt a sudden green thumb coming on.

	Sunday was just as quiet as Saturday at my house, all the more so
because of the holiday week. Some of the staff had taken time off to go
spend a few days with family or with their children who would have no
school that week. Mr. Guinness would still be there to cook but that would
be about it, besides Miss Greta.
	I got up and got ready to run again, leaving the house in the brisk
morning, breathe pluming from my mouth as I exercised. I reflected on
Saturday as I ran, feet rhythmically pounding the pavement. I felt foolish,
to tell the truth, because I was making plans to try and get to know him
better and I had no logical reason why I was doing so. I knew nothing of
his intelligence, interests, nothing. I had absolutely no reason to desire
to see more of him. But I did, and that was most vexing to me. As I
meditated on this for the thousandth time I entered town and continued to
jog down the sidewalk, which was deserted. Lost in my thoughts about Drew
and what all of this meant I never saw it coming. I was passing the small
grocery store in town when the front door opened and Drew stepped out
carrying a bag of groceries. I ran right into him, toppling us both and his
bag of groceries went flying to the four winds, sending consumables willy
nilly down the sidewalk and into the street. He was looking at me in shock
and amazement, and then in fear.
	"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I didn't see you coming, I am so
stupid, please forgive me? Are you all right?" He said with concern and
outright terror written on his face.
	"I'm fine, it was my fault, I wasn't watching where I was
going. God, I am the one who should be apologizing, look at your
groceries. They're ruined!" I exclaimed apologetically.
	"Oh, no! No big deal, I'll just go in and get more. It's ok." He
said, but I could see him fidget at the mention of getting more stuff. Miss
Greta was not badly off, but she wasn't rich either and I had dumped a good
fifty dollars of groceries I am sure. How would I know? Well, unlike most
people I school with I walk into the grocery store for some human contact,
and as I do I notice what some things cost. On occasion I will even go into
the store to purchase junk food for myself, since it really isn't available
at home. So, maybe I was reading this wrong, but I'll bet he either didn't
have the money to replace the goods, or it was going to hurt to do
it. Maybe a little of both.
	"No, I take responsibility for this, it's my fault and I'll fix
it. It's only fair, besides," I grinned as I got to my feet, "I insist."
	He stood sheepishly and we entered the store. The grocer watched us
come in and shook his head slowly.
	"Young people," He said, "Always in such a hurry, and they never
know where they are going. Now I ask you, how will they know when they get
there?"
	We both stood looking at him as he went from one face to the other
looking for an answer and finally threw his hands in the air with a small
smile. "How can I help you two, ah?"
	"He needs the contents of his shopping list again." I said.
	Drew shifted uncomfortably next to me and spoke; "Actually I could
just come back..." he began.
	"Well, you should know," the grocer said to Drew, "You have to be
careful. You didn't have enough for all the groceries you needed five
minutes ago; did you give birth to money when you hit the sidewalk, ah? I
have a business to run I can't give food away! I'd go broke, popular maybe,
but broke! How do you plan to take care of this?"
	"I am paying, it was my fault his stuff got trashed. If you could
just gather his order and bill the residence, I can see to it myself." I
told the grocer.
	"No, really you don't have to..." Drew began.
	"Yes, I do. Would you please?" I said to the grocer.
	He looked from one to the other and then shrugged his shoulders,
"its not often you find someone with a sense of responsibility. And less
often are they responsible and have the means to be responsible."
	The grocer went about regathering the order. Drew stood shyly and I
felt the need to break the awkward silence.
	"So, you sure you're ok?" I asked. God, that was lame.
	"I'm ok, thanks." He replied quietly. He wandered off to look at
the newspaper rack. I went to the grocer to make sure he filled the whole
order, including the stuff Drew hadn't had the money for.
	"You know," The grocer said quietly, "It's honorable what you're
doing here. Miss Fanning hasn't been having the best luck lately, what with
her sister and all the money she had to send her, it broke her bank account
you know. She had to mortgage her house after having had it paid off for
eighteen years. I urge you to be careful though, people have their pride
and won't like to feel as though they are getting any charity."
	"But I ran into him, I should pay for his things." I said.
	"Yes, but if you should decide to assist them with anything in the
future, then you should remember my words, ah?" He nodded knowingly and I
nodded that I did indeed understand.
	"Besides," the grocer continued, "A little bird told me Miss
Fanning was warning him to stay away from you, because of your parents you
know. To remember his place in society and not try to reach above his
station."
	"Did this little bird mention anything else...interesting?" I
asked.
	"Well, you should know that boy has had lots of trouble in his
life, so sad really with his mother passing. Me? I'll never be rich, but I
could retire if I wanted to, but who wants to do that? What would I do if I
didn't have work, ah? But I never let someone's money stand between me
liking or disliking them, yes?"
	"That's right of course, money is no object." I said.
	"It never is if you don't have any!" He guffawed.
	"What I meant was..." I began.
	"I know, I know and it's good. But he needs a friend more than
anything, I think, and Miss Fanning, god bless her, knows nothing of boys
or of what one needs. Someone will have to tell her some things, yes?" He
waggled his eyebrows in punctuation before continuing, "Now these groceries
will be much safer if they are in two bags, and if you boys are both going
the same direction, "He boomed, "So you take this one, and you take that
one and never you should bump on the sidewalk again, ah?" He laughed
uproariously. Drew paled at the sight of both bags, and resolutely reached
for both of them. My hand beat him to the bag closest to me, and his hand
closed momentarily over mine. I felt sweat stand out on my brow.
	"I can take them both, really." He said, voice wavering with
nervousness.  I was torn, on the one hand I wanted to walk with him, on the
other hand it was obviously causing him stress, and it was also obvious
that it was because he was warned not to try and fit in with the upper
class. I took in his worried expression and his threadbare clothes and
decided that walking with him would more than likely cause him more stress
than was necessary. I would have to talk with Miss Greta Fanning about whom
I could have as friends and who exactly made those decisions. I abruptly
changed my mind; I wanted to speak to her now. I firmed my grip on the bag
and used my free hand to indicate he should lead the way. He hesitated then
stepped out the door.
	We walked in silence for half a block before he stopped and turned
to me, opening his mouth, closing it then opening it again with no sound
coming out. Finally he spoke.
	"I am not supposed to be around you, I'll get in trouble. Please
let me take this stuff home by myself. Please." He finished in a whisper.
	It was the eyes that did it, a pleading in them. I shivered and
then nodded. He let out a breath and took the bag from me, turning with a
small 'thank you' he headed down the street alone. I turned slowly and
jogged for home.


Thoughts? Please send any to: dabeagle@nycap.rr.com