Roland: "Andrew! I didn't know you were back in town! Can I make you anything to eat? Get you something to drink maybe?"
Andy: "Do you have any of Cecelia's pecan pie left?"
Roland: "I think there's a slice left, let me get that for you."

Under the buzzing fluorescent lights, Roland could tell something had happened. Andrew hadn't been due back from school for another few days, though it was always possible that he'd managed to finish up early. There was something else, though- an old haunted look that Roland hadn't seen in years.

It shook him to his core.

Roland: "Why don't we sit down over here and chat a bit. I'll put on a pot of coffee for us."
Andy: "Sounds good."

Roland: "So, you been home to see your folks yet?"
Andy: "No, not yet. I just got into town and didn't want to wake them. I figured you were probably working the late shift tonight so I thought I'd stop in."
Roland: "Glad you did. You want to tell me what's going on?"

Roland watched as Andrew picked mindlessly at the sliver of pie on the plate in front of him. He looked like someone caught in a shifting tide, being pulled in two directions at once while still trying to stay afloat. Roland waited patiently, knowing he would talk if and when he was ready.

Andy: "Well firstly I graduated. I was able to take my finals last week, actually. Made the dean's list again, blah blah blah."
Roland: "That's fantastic, Andrew!"
Andy: "I suppose so."

Roland: "You suppose so? It is so! Why do you want to sell yourself short?"
Andy: "It wasn't good enough for her."
Roland: "For who? What happened?"
Andy: "She left me."
Roland: "Oh no…"
Andy: "And it was… she…"

Andy drew a quivering breath in an attempt to regain control. Roland could tell he was struggling against himself, trying not to break down, trying not to pulled under.

Andy: "She couldn't deal with the scars, she said. Said the ones she couldn't see scared her the most, that she couldn't handle someone with that sort of past."
Roland: "Oh Andrew…"
Andy: "I disgust her."
Roland: "Did she actually say that?"

Andy: "People don't always speak in words, Mr. Snyder. The things we say hardly scratch the surface of what's really going on in our heads. When a person flinches at your touch, nothing needs to be said at all."

Roland: "I'm sorry, Andrew, I really am. It's a terrible thing to happen to anyone."
Andy: "I thought Gloria was different, but I suppose in the end people are all the same."
Roland: "I have to disagree with you on that one. There're still good people out there."
Andy: "Respectfully, they're so few and far between it's not worth it."

Roland: "On the contrary, that's what makes it worth every bit of effort."
Andy: "I just wish I could start all over, you know? Kill off Andrew Botzcowski and start fresh, with no past and only the future ahead of me."
Roland: "Did you ever think of doing just that?"
Andy: "Quite a bit, actually. I haven't told anyone else yet, but I've been accepted to do my masters at Harvard Business School. I was thinking of changing my name to Max Power or something once I'm out there."

Roland: "That's amazing news! Congratulations! But Max Power? Please tell me you're kidding."
Andy: "Well, yeah. Max is such an obvious name, really. I think I'll end up with something strong and stable, like Stone. I always liked that."
Roland: "Andrew Stone?"
Andy: "I was thinking just 'Andy Stone', actually. People feel more at ease without formalities."

Roland could see a change taking place in front of his eyes- the young man seated across from him was no longer thrashing against the undertow, instead making his own path perpendicular to the unrelenting drag and escaping its grip.

Roland: "You're really going to do this, aren't you?"
Andy: "I really am. Tonight really has helped me figure out where I'm headed."
Roland: "You'll be ok, Andrew. I think you're headed in the right direction. And listen, Cecelia and I wanted to give you a little something for your graduation."
Andy: "You know that you don't have to, right? The two of you have already done more than you ever should."

Roland: "We want to. We've been saving up some spare cash for the last four years, and we want you to have it. Do whatever you want with it- it's yours."

Andy was silent as Roland reached into his wallet and pulled out a check, sliding it unceremoniously across the booth. His face remained a controlled mask as he read the amount before carefully folding it into his own wallet.

Andy: "I'll use your unbelievably generous gift to start my new life. I'll never forget what you've done for me tonight, Mr. Snyder."
Roland: "It's the least we could do."
Andy: "Four thousand dollars is a substantial sum. I'm very grateful."

Roland was about to continue the conversation when the first group of workers made their way bleary-eyed to a booth closest to the front door.

Roland: "I wish we had more time to talk. You're always welcome to stop by and see Cecelia and I, any time."
Andy: "Thank you, I appreciate the offer. I think things are going to be ok now."
Roland: "You take care of yourself, Andrew. Don't be a stranger!"

Andy: "I'll keep in touch."