“Well, I got a job as an art teacher at the middle school,” she told him. “I start
at the end of August.”
“An art teacher,” William said. “That sounds pretty cool. What made you decide to
go into that?”
“Well, this is going to sound stupid.” She glanced down at the table before
continuing. “I had a dream.”
“A dream?” David asked.
“Yes, it's weird,” Casey responded. “I was laying in the football field at school
with someone.”
She gazed into William’s eyes and studied him.
“I wanted to go into art. My dad didn't want me to and was refusing to pay for
school.”
She turned away for a moment then gazed back at William.
“The person I was with told me to become an art teacher. I would still get to go to
school for art but in a more respectable career that would satisfy my father.”
The dinner went well. William felt a connection with Casey he hadn't felt with
anyone before. He hoped he didn’t come on too strong or his attempts at humor
wouldn’t land.
Casey did laugh at a few of his jokes.
After the plates were cleared, the group continued talking.
“What was your first concert?” Casey asked everybody at the table.
“New Kids on the Block!” Lisa shouted.
“Weird Al,” David added.
“My first concert,” William started, “was The Monkees.”
“At Pine Knob?” Casey asked.