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dark
tinted windows to the groups of students who had come to admire the vehicle.
    “Ahhhhh… this is ridiculous. Get out
of the car, ALAN,” he had hoped by talking to himself out loud it would help,
but it didn’t.
    Seconds ticked by, then minutes. Those
who had stopped to admire the car began to walk away. Confused looks crossed
over their faces as they headed for the gym doors and the music that could be
heard playing inside.
    Chaperons walked the perimeter monitoring
against any underage drinking. Alan looked at one of the adults in particular
and was shocked to see Dr. Larson dressed in a modest black dress saying “hello”
to students as they passed by.
    Dr. Larson only visited the school
once a week to meet with her patients. Since Alan’s high school had so many
students in need of psychiatric care, Dr. Larson had volunteered to make the
trip instead of making the students travel individually to her office in the
city. In return the school allowed her use of the receptionist and an office of
her own.
    Before Alan could stop himself he
reached for the car handle and opened the door. He forced himself to step
outside. The night was cool and a breeze began to blow. Alan ignored all the
looks from his classmates. Instead he kept his eyes focused on the Doctor and
concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other.
    Dr. Larson looked at him and smiled.
Then she really looked at him and an expression of shock and realization
crossed her face. “Alan? Alan, is that you? You came!”
    Alan may have been worried or offended
had it not been for the smile that crossed her face next. He beamed with pride
at her words.
    “Yes—well—I thought about
what you said. About how I could actively do something and I decided to take
your advice.”
    “Well, I’m so glad you did.”
    Alan stood smiling, looking up at the
woman who he had met with once a week for the past few months. In a weird kind
of way she was his only friend, or at the very least the person who came
closest to being a friend. Music blared from inside the gymnasium, students ran
up the few steps eager to be inside but Alan thought he could stand and talk to
the Doctor for the rest of the night given the opportunity.
    “Oh, where’s your boutonnière?”
    “Who? Oh, I don’t have a date.”
    The Doctor smiled, “No, the flower
that goes on your coat.”
    Alan kicked himself mentally. It was
not only too late but he was out of money for a flower he could only guess
would be expensive. As more students passed inside Alan noticed all the male
attendees with bright colored blossoms matching their date’s attire.
    “Oh—I—guess I forgot. I
don’t have one.”
    Dr. Larson didn’t miss a beat.
Reaching over the short railing that ran parallel with the steps leading into
the gymnasium, the Doctor plucked a white rose from the decorative flower bush.
Producing a pin from her hair she motioned Alan forward.
    “You see? If you are willing to take a
leap of faith, things will begin to work out.” She said this as she pressed the
flower to Alan jacket and placed the pin perfectly anchoring the rose on his
jacket.
    Alan could feel the blood rush to his
face. The Doctor’s soft touch against his chest made him clear his throat and
swallow as if it were some kind of allergic reaction.
    “There you go, Alan, you look great.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Well don’t start getting cold feet
now. You are doing so well. I’m proud of you, Alan. Now get inside and have
some fun.

Chapter 11
     
    The gymnasium was decorated from floor
to ceiling in yellow, green, blue and pink. Alan couldn’t help but think that
Dr. Seuss had been employed to make the event come to life. Despite his own
misgivings about the décor, everyone seemed to be having a great time. A live
band covered the latest hits on stage, there was a table set up with
refreshments, and balloons lay across the gym floor in every direction.
    Alan stood by himself soaking in the
scene. It wasn’t