Never Too Late

Chapter Twenty Six

Johan sat behind his desk in chemistry class, helping his teacher with a chemical reaction. Since it was his final class for the day, he didn't mind staying behind although he had baseball practice in the evening.

"Your work is remarkable," his teacher, Mr. Stevenson, applauded as he checked Johan's reaction. "To think you've only been doing chemistry a few months now, I'm truly impressed."

"Thanks, sir," Johan responded, happy that his progress was improving although he had less time to study since joining the baseball team.

"Have you given any thought to what I said about college earlier?" His teacher asked as he sat at his desk and waited for Johan to answer.

"I have," he said then paused. "Like I said before I don't think that type of life would fit me."

"What do you mean? An educated and accomplished life would be too much?" His teacher laughed and shook his head. "I'll never know what goes through you kids minds these days,"

"No, it's not that," Johan started hesitantly as he put the chemicals he was using away.

"Well, what is it? You certainly have the grades to qualify for an Ivy League school. Is it that you don't know what profession you want to be in?" His teacher persisted.

"Kind of," Johan responded. His goal up to that moment had been to make it on his own through hard work once he graduated, so college seemed like a new terrifying challenge.

"I've got some brochures here," Mr Stevenson said as he took out three college brochures and held them towards him. "You can take them, just make sure you look at the programs being offered."

"I will," Johan nodded as he looked them over.

"Hey sir, is Oxford a good college?" Johan asked after a moment.

"Oxford? I suppose it is but it's in England." His teacher spoke as he walked over to him curiously. "None of those brochures are for Oxford, have you been thinking of attending that University all this time?"

"Something like that," Johan said reluctantly.

"What do you like about Oxford?" His teacher asked, hoping to learn more about Johan's interests.

"This might sound dumb, but when I was younger, I was given an Oxford mathematical set, and it had an image of the university on it. I thought it looked really nice and always wished I'd get to go to a place like that."

"Well, why not? Nothing is stopping you." His teacher smiled but Johan shook his head.

"I've got baseball; a couple of people approached me, and I could get a full ride to one of those sports colleges." Johan had also considered these schools an option although he didn't have much interest in them.

"It's fine if that's what you want to do, but if it's not and you want something else, way your options carefully, young man. You are at the crossroads of your life." His teacher told him sternly.

***

Johan sat in the living room at home and looked at the brochures his teacher had given him absentmindedly. One similarity he noticed they all shared was prominent chemistry programs. Laughing to himself, he realized that his teacher hadn't just randomly given him these. He couldn't complain, though, because he truly enjoyed chemistry and mathematics but didn't know what field would interest him or what to look for. Sighing, he was about to put his brochures away when his parents walked into the room.

"Hey Johan, what are you doing?" His Dad asked as he took a seat beside him.

"How was school today?" His mother added as she also took a seat near him.

"I've just been looking at these college brochures." He told them with a frustrated sigh.

"Oh, let me have a look," His mother said, taking one. "Oh Stanford, that's a nice school." She said reading the name on one of them out loud.

"It's the first time I've heard you bring up college, what profession do you want to pursue?" His father asked with a look that said he was ready to support whatever decision Johan made.

"I don't know," he confessed. "What did you both study?"

His mother smiled at his question but his father spoke up first.

"I studied mechanical engineering and I  have my own company today because of it." His father stated proudly.

"I studied statistics, but to be honest, I've also done minor courses in interior decorating." His mother laughed.

"How long did it take for you both to be successful?" Johan asked curiously.

"Well," His mother continued. "I'll have to admit it's a combination of many things because college isn't a ticket to a good life. Your father and I own a couple rental properties as well as a few stocks."

"You don't have to worry, though; everything we have belongs to you and your siblings." His father said reassuringly.

"I can get on my own, too; I don't need help," Johan said confidently.

"I know you will, we believe in you!" His mother added cheerfully.

"Wait, weren't you born with a Gold spoon in your mouth?" His dad joked with his mom.

"You're one to talk, you're no better than me!" She pouted.

"Dad?" Johan said, interrupting his parents' banter. "If you don't mind could I come to work with you sometime?"

"Huh, of course, but can I ask what brought this on?" He asked curiously.

"I want to see what you do, maybe it would be something I'd like to study." He told him and his father's face lit up.

"What about my job? Not interesting enough?" His mother teased.

"I want to go with you next," he told her, "next week if it's possible."

"Sure, no problem!" She nodded happily.

Johan loved seeing his parents look so content, and it was somewhat bittersweet that in the next few months, he would be leaving them, either through college or getting a regular job.

Just then his phone rang and he excused himself to take the call, suspecting it was Liz however he didn't recognize the number.

"Um, Hello?" He said, wondering if someone had misdialed.

"Hey, it's Asher," the voice answered and he instantly felt elated yet confused.

"Hey, where have you been, I've got so much to tell you!?" Johan said brimming with excitement.

"Don't worry about that, can we meet somewhere?" He said sounding unusually somber.

"Yeah, sure, where!? When!?" Johan asked eagerly.

"Can you come out tonight? I'll text you details of where to meet me soon." He said before hanging up.