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                            Swans Crossing 1998
			   By Sierra D. Feinberg
 			         (c) 1998 

                                   Part 8

                                ~*~*~*~*~*~

Garrett and Sydney are waiting anxiously at a gas station. "I can't
believe your car got a flat tire like that, Gar." Sydney says as she
looks at her watch, "I hope Cal's not pissed, I promised her a night of
gabbing tonight. I doubt we will make it home in time."

Garrett shrugs, "She'll understand. I can't believe the car did that. My
parents must not be treating it very well."

Sydney points to Garrett's Honda, as it rolls up attached to a tow truck,
"Well, that wasn't too long."

"Mr. Booth," a young man say's as he hands Garrett the keys to his car,
"It should be about 15 minutes to change the tire and than you can be on
your way."

Garrett smiles gratefully, "It's Garrett. You can't be older than me.
don't make me feel so old."

The guy nods, "Your right, but it's company policy.  My uncle has my hide
if I don't address everyone by titles.  He's kinda uptight. One of the
reasons I wish I could quit this job."

Sydney smiles, "Garrett and I are extremely thankful that you were able
to get the car so quickly," she pulls out a $10 bill, "here, this is for
you. I'm Sydney by the way."

"My name is Chase, Chase Marcum," he takes the tip, "Thank you very
much."

Garrett looks at Chase carefully, "You know, if you are looking for a job
I might know one available."

Chase's face light's up with interest, "Really, where?"

"My friend Jimmy is managing a bike shop called the tool and die this
summer. He's looking to find someone to train to run the place as well as
he can so that they can take over his job   at the end of summer cause he
is going to be leaving town."

Chase nods, "Sounds promising."

Garrett takes out a piece of paper and scribbles a number and address on
it and hands it to Chase, "Here, call him. It's just him and his
girlfriend running the place now and they would be happy for any extra
help," He looks over at his car, "Well looks like were off. Don't be a
stranger, call him."

"I will."

Sydney waves good bye and she and Garrett walk off, "Garrett, what were
you talking about? Jimmy's leaving town at the end of summer. Going
where?"

"Uh, college."

"But where?" Sydney say's curiously.

Garrett squirms slightly as he opens Sydney's door, "Well, I wasn't
supposed to say anything but it's going to be made public knowledge soon
enough, Jimmy's going to USC next year to be near Callie."

Sydney's eyes get huge, "Are you serious."

Garrett gets in the car as Sydney gets in on her side, "Totally, why?
You don't think Callie will be thrilled."

"Thrilled might not be the word, shocked actually. I think that might
describe her reaction."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

JT walks into Dr. Smith's office and goes to the front desk, "I have a
4:00 appointment with the doctor. I'm a little late."

"I noticed," the receptionist snapped, "usually we make you reschedule if
your more than 15 minutes late but we decided to make an exception
considering the doctor knows your dad."

"Gee, thanks." JT replies icily.

The receptionist stands up, "Follow me," the doctor is waiting.

JT walks into the office which consists of two plush chairs and one navy
blue, leather couch.

The doctor greets JT with a smile, "Hi, JT. I'm Melissa Smith. Please sit
down" she motions for the receptionist to leave. JT takes a place on one
of the chairs, and Melissa chuckles, "Wanna make this seem less like head
shrinking lesson than possible huh. Most patients don't go for the couch
at first but after awhile they realize that it is actually quite
comfortable. So JT, I guess we should start. I guess in today's session I
just want to get to know you a little bit. So, tell me about school. Do
you have a girlfriend?"

"Not really."

"Playing the field huh, I always thought it was more fun to date around at
your age than have someone serious."

JT shrugs, "I guess."

"Have you ever had a serious girlfriend?"

"Yea, in high school. Why do you need to know this?"

"Because your father hired me and part of my job is to get through to
you. To crack your shell and I find that sometimes guys become a little
more comfortable when they start talking about the relationships in their
lives. usually guys light up when they talk about the women in their
lives"

"Well. maybe my shell doesn't need cracking."

"Well I that's the case than prove it to me."

"I don't have to prove anything to you."

"Actually I think you do. So let's continue shall we, your not going to
get rid of me that quickly. I've dealt with a lot of tougher cookies than
you so don't think that your one of a kind cause your not. Now, were
wasting your time and your money not mine so let's get started. Enough
beating around the bush, your father suspects you have a drinking
problem. What do you think?"

"My father doesn't know what he's talking about."

"When did you start drinking?"

"About the end of my junior year."

"And where did most of it take place?"

"You know the usual places, usually parties."

"How much did you usually drink at these parties?"

"A couple beers."

"How much is a couple?"

"About three or four."

"Any hard liquor?"

"Sometimes, every once and than I had a few shots of tequila, vodka."

"Did you have your girlfriend at this time?"

JT nods, "Yep."

"When did you two break up?"

"The middle of my senior year."

"Why?"

"Honestly, she was a goody goody. Never wanted to go out, didn't know how
to have a good time. She was kinda boring."

"Did she drink?"

"Barely, she couldn't handle the stuff. One beer and she was tipsy."

"Did she mind your drinking?"

"She sure made a big deal about it, blamed it for our break-up. She
couldn't admit that I was just losing interest.

 
"Did you love her."

JT stares at the ceiling, "Yeah, I did. More than words can say."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Mila darling, Mila are you home?" The countess calls from the foyer
as she puts her suitcases down.

Mila comes out from the kitchen, "Mamma." She runs to her mother and
gives her a hug.

"My baby girl is home, I missed you so much over the months." 

Mila separates form her mom's embrace, "I'm not a baby anymore. I'm legally
an adult."

The countess smiles, "Not in my mind, in the eyes of the constitution
maybe but you will always be my little girl."

Mila smiles slightly and thinks to herself, "How am I going to tell her
that I might be having a little girl myself?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Callie knocks n the door of the Clayton house and is greeted by Jimmy's
dad. "Hi Callie," he hugs her, "It's so good to see you again. You look
wonderful."

"Thanks, Mr. Clayton. Is Jimmy home?"

"Up in his room, feel free to go up."

"Thank you. Callie bounds the stairs two steps at a time, and makes her
way toward Jimmy's door, "This is it. You can't back out now." She knocks
on  Jimmy's door. 

"Come in," Jimmy calls. 

Callie walks in, "Hey."

Jimmy is lying on his bed and immediately sits up, "Hi, I didn't expect
you to be coming over."

"I know, I just thought. Well we need to talk."

"About what?"

"About, well a whole bunch of stuff."

"So, shoot."

Callie sits down on Jimmy's desk chair, "Well, this past year I met
somebody and we dated for awhile."

"So, I mean I don't mind. It's not like we had a commitment. All that
matters is that you are here with me now. Is that what you wanted to tell
me, cause I'm cool with that."

Callie looks down, "It was more than dating Jimmy. I fell in love with
him. I still am in love with him."

Jimmy stares at Callie emotionless, "So what are you talking about? You
lead me on one night and than tell me the next day that you love someone
else."

"It's not like that," Callie protests.

"Than what is it like, Cal," Jimmy say's sarcastically.

"Last night, I was in a whole new world. It was like we were back in
time. Back in time when we were in love."

"Well, for me it wasn't were. I am still in love with you, Callie."

"I still love you too but it's just........"

"If your telling me you don't want to continue our relationship this
summer than get out," Jimmy says with a cold look.

Callie stands up, "Can you please just let me explain."

"I don't want your explanations. Just leave," Jimmy says loudly.

"Fine, just don't look at me that way. I can't bear to have you hate me."

"See, that's my problem I can't hate you but right now I wish I could so
you could feel the pain that I am going through."

Callie walks towards the door, "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, I bet you are. Go find your other lover boy and patch things up
with him just don't forget to tell him that you were all over your
ex-boyfriend the night before. Have a nice summer Cal. Have a freakin'
nice summer."


                            To be continued...

***If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc., email Sierra at 
sunflower293@juno.com