Book 3- Annie Adams-College Years

Annie Adams-College Years

                                                                                       Chapter 5

                                                                                  Harmony Jones

     Annie and her friends filed into their Criminology class the next day, where Professor Stanton was waiting for them standing in front of her desk down front, with a welcoming smile on her face.  "Students.  I believe I have an interesting exercise for you today," the Professor said.  "I'm going to pair you all up.  I'll call out the names of the partners and you will each take a small table that I have placed around the room," (she motioned with her hand as she said this.) "and then wait for further instructions."

     "You will also need to take pencil and paper with you," she said mysteriously.  Her students grinned at each other, excited at what she had planned for them.  Professor Stanton began calling out the names of who would be partnered with whom.  Finally she called on:  "Annie Adams and Harmony Jones!" 

Annie's eyes were wide as she looked around the room and in a moment saw the pretty girl, a few tiers down from where Annie stood.  Both girls descended the stairs and met at a small table on the main floor just a few feet from Professor Stanton's desk.  "Hey!" Annie said, offering Harmony her hand to shake.  "Hi," Harmony said with a slight smile and grasping Annie's hand lightly.

     In a few moments Professor Stanton told the class what to do next.  "Okay, Boys and Girls,"  Everyone laughed at her choice of words.  "Okay people,  take a good look at your partner.  I'm giving you three minutes to memorize everything you can about the person opposite you."  Annie grinned at Harmony, a little giggle in her voice.  Harmony's smile was a little wary, but it was there.

     "After the three minutes each of you will turn your backs on your partner and write down every detail about them that you can remember.  Alright, began."  The room was very quiet as everyone concentrated on the task at hand.  When the three minutes ended Professor Stanton called, "Time!" and said, "Now turn around and make your notes.  You have five minutes to do so."  And all the students immediately obeyed.

     Annie looked up and down her list at the end of five minutes and didn't think she had missed much, if anything.  "Okay class!  About Face!"  Nearly everybody laughed at her word usage.  Harmony even let out a little giggle herself which Annie was happy to hear.  When all the students were facing each other again, Professor Stanton called for volunteer pairs to share their findings. Beth and her partner, a tall dark haired girl whose name was Robin raised their hands.

    The Professor and the class gave Beth and Robin a round of applause, when they were finished reading off their notes describing each other.  Patti and Trisha were paired up.  They had gone to the Professor as soon as she had paired them up, and told her that they were friends of many years and perhaps it was unfair to the others if they were partners, because they knew each other so well.

     Professor Stanton complimented them on their honesty, but said it was fine they were partners.  That even friends could miss things right in front of them sometimes.  And then she walked away with a little smirk on her face.  When Patti and Trisha arrived at their table they  sized each other up in great detail, determined not to miss anything.

     But the two of them did raise their hands when Professor Stanton called for volunteers.  "And How did you "Great Friends" of so many years do?"  Patti and Trisha both laughed and then Patti said, "You really made us work because of what you told us beforehand. The class looked at their Instructor and then at the two girls perplexed.  Professor Stanton laughed too and then Trisha said,  "But I think we did pretty good."

     After Trisha and Patti read through the written descriptions of each other, Professor Stanton and the class agreed that they had done very well, and said it with "Thumbs Up" led by their Instructor.  Annie hadn't raised her hand to volunteer because Harmony looked really nervous at the prospect of having to speak in front of the whole class;  which Annie thought was obvious from the worried look in her eyes and the perspiration on her forehead.

     The exercise had taken up most of the class hour, so for the last fifteen minutes Professor Stanton advised that the students should get to know the person they were paired with.  She then told her students that when the bell rang they were free to go, and that she'd see them the next day.  Then she gave them a wave and left the room.

     "Harmony.  I didn't see you here the first day of class," Annie started.  "I was so surprised when the Professor called your name."   "Yes.  You're right.  I was ill that day."  Harmony said simply.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  I hope you're better now," Annie said sincerely.  Instead of answering Annie's question, Harmony said, "Annie.  I don't know you.  But I know of you."

     Annie cocked her head at her with a confused look on her face.  Harmony giggled at her and then said, "The Mystery Club Detectives are pretty well known around here."  "Oh," Annie said, now understanding.  "So much has happened in my life since graduation, that it startles me to say this, but I really haven't thought about our "Club" in a long time.  It's like.... we left it behind."  And Annie felt very sad realizing the truth of her statement.

     Harmony went on to finish what she had started to say, "Well, you might not realize it Annie, but you have a reputation for honesty, and a good heart full of compassion for others."  Annie blushed and felt very humbled as she replied, "Um, thank you for saying that Harmony.  But the "Good" in me, is Jesus in me."

     "I know,"  Harmony told her, "That's why I know I can confide something in you and you will keep it just between us," she said, as a tear trickled down her cheek.  She had touched Annie's heart and she reached out and took Harmony's hands into her own and said, "I will.  What is it?"  Just then the bell rang.  Harmony was suddenly very anxious.

     "I have to go," she said, gathering up her books and cramming them into her bag.  "My husband Charles will be waiting for me."  Annie quickly scribbled her cell number on a scrap piece of paper and handed it to her.  "Call me when you can Harmony.  I want to help you if I can."  "Thank you so much Annie.  I'll call you later tonight when Charles goes to work."  Then Harmony hugged Annie tight and rushed away up the stairs and out the door.

     Annie watched her go with a knot forming in her stomach.  She sensed Harmony was hurting not just in her body or her mind but in her spirit.  And she was determined to help her new friend find the solution to her problem what ever it might be.  "I really need your help Lord," Annie prayed silently as she put her Criminology book in her bag.  "I know you put Harmony in my life for a reason, please help me to help her.  In Jesus name amen."

                                                                               End of Chapter 5

(Dear Readers, I'm going with shorter chapters now.  I can get my updates out more quickly for you to read, and I find my thought process works better this way.  Thank you for understanding, and thank you for reading my books.  You all are the greatest!)