August 22, 2009 12:47 PST

The flight was difficult. My mother kept shooting me a mix between concerned looks and disapproving stares. I knew she was uneasy with the idea of me going to school at USC, and to be honest, so was I. After my visit to California, I tried to call and see Madame Juliet almost every day, but to no avail. Her shop remained closed and her cell phone stayed off. After a week of this I got really worried, she wasn’t exactly young. And more than that I was getting discouraged. I would leave her voice mails giving her updates about my dreams and my fruitless attempts at finding Ashley online. And once Glen left for Duke in the beginning of July for his school’s basketball camp, I felt so alone.

I began to fall back into my old habits of summer by staying close to home and most of my company was spent alone in my room. I guess it was a good thing though, seeing as I was leaving it for school. And I know at least my father appreciated by recluse behavior. We would often have long talks in the kitchen at late hours of the night discussing, well everything. Nights were difficult for me. I was almost afraid to fall asleep in fear of what dreams would come. With no one there to talk to me about my potential ‘soul mate’ I started to feel like it really was just a dream. So I would venture to the kitchen where I would always find my father making a midnight snack. After a few weeks of this, he would always have a sandwich waiting for me and we would continue the conversation from the previous night. That night in late July was no different.

Arthur: “So you were saying that you were excited to try that acting class?” We both took a bite out of our ham and cheese sandwiches.

Spencer: “Yeah, I mean, it would be kind of cool to challenge myself. I’ve always have been a good student but I feel like it’s time I tried something new.”

Arthur: “I think that sounds like a good idea, that’s what college is for. What else are you excited for?” He gives me a genuine smile as if he can’t wait to hear about it.