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Show My name on your roll is Parker, Craig, but Parker's what I want to be called. Only I hope you won't call on me much. You'll know the first time I try to talk in class that I can't express myself in front of people. I'll put out in my writing and you, being a writing teacher, should let it go at that. Don't start a crusade to eliminate "Parker's reticence" the way my math teacher did last year. Parker crumpled the paper in his rock-hardened fist and thrust it deep into the waste bin. The rest of the paragraphs written by the class he folded neatly and slid into his rear pocket. If she wouldn't read them, he would! Returning to his locker after work, Parker met Jan Marsh, who pivoted around and waited for him to catch up. Snappy-eyed Jan. She'd probably ruin his rotten mood, but he was glad to see her. Jan was as close as he came to having a female friend. "Parker, can you believe it? You and me in creative writing together? We'll drive the literary magazine underground!" "You think so?" "Remember ecology seminar? Poor old Chelsey!" He remembered. He'd supplied the facts and strategy, but Jan had stirred up the hornet's nest. Jan was absolutely first-rate on causes. Parker slowed at his locker, wondering if he should offer her a ride home, but she did a little swivel backwards and held up her swim bag. "I gotta run. I'm on guard duty tonight." He waved her on. Crazy Jan, bubbling like an Alka Seltzer the first day of school. He wondered what she saw in the prospective year that he didn't. Outside, Parker filled his lungs with the fresh air. Already the canyons were beginning to empty their cool juniper breezes into the valley. Cutting across the grass to the asphalt parking lot, Parker's eyes traveled lovingly over the mountain range. The sight was more nourishing than dinner. Lone Peak, Thunder Mountain, Chipman's. Towering over all, the Twin Peaks, which would soon be covered with snow-identically-like children so close they copied one another's dress. He said a private greeting to the trails and canyons he knew |