The Wanderers

Chapter 7

I had no idea what kind of car my mom had gotten me. There was nothing else in the package. I walked through the parking lot pressing the key-less entry until I found it. The lights flashed on a brand new Ford hybrid SUV. "There it is," I said.

"Nice car," Jack commented getting in the passenger side. It was fully loaded, complete with the On-Star system - nothing but the best. "How did you manage a car like this?"

"My mom is a little over protective. She had it delivered today." He said nothing. "So where's the theatre?"

"Make a right over there."

I followed Jack's directions to the theatre. We decided to see a comedy. After the movie, on the way back, Jack didn't say much. I figured maybe he was shy, so it looked like I'd have to be the one to strike up the conversation. "Did you like the movie?"

"It was good."

"What else is there to do for fun around here?"

"There's a student center. People hang out there sometimes."

"Wanna stop by and check it out?"

"Sure," he replied. Okay this might be harder than I thought. He didn't seem to be much of a conversationalist.

There were only a few people in the student center chatting, or reading a book. "Want some coffee?" Jack asked.

"Sounds great." He ordered two cups of coffee and we sat down at one of the empty tables. Jack sat quietly staring at his coffee cup. "So, where are you originally from?" I asked.

"I'm from here. I only live a couple miles away, but I prefer to live on campus. It's just more convenient this way."

"Have any brothers or sisters?"

"Nope, only child. You?"

"Two older brothers and I can't tell you how glad I am to be away from them."

"Where are you from?"

"California."

"That's a long way from home."

"That's kind of the point."

"Things not so good at home?"

"No, the opposite actually. My family is great, I just needed a change."

Once I opened up the conversation, Jack relaxes enough to join in. He told me about his parents. His mom was a single parent and he had no idea what happened to his dad. We compared the classes we were taking and found out we had a few together even though he was a sophomore. Jack ended up doing most of the talking while I sat and listened. He seemed like a really nice guy. Shy, but goodhearted. I could tell already we would end being good friends and was happy I was taking the chance to get to know him.