"Jenny blushed, but didn't pause this time. "You anticipated correctly, Professor. Pity. But with my course load I plan to graduate this year, at whic... point I will no longer be a student." I am very gratified by your interest, Jenny. Alas, any discussion of future possibilities must remain until the future." I wondered if I sounded as pompous to Jenny as to myself. Unfortunately I didn't know how to steer this conversation safely without being stiff and pompous."Oh well. I meant what I said. Connor jumped up and sprinted to the stage exit, then down the aluminum ramp and into the bowels of the coliseum. These places were all the same backstage – high and wide concrete hallways that had an unpleasant echo and a less pleasant smell. God he hated that smell, whatever it was.He slowed to a brisk walk and rounded a corner en route to his dressing room when he was blindsided. Four screaming girls, probably not yet in their teens, were dressed head-to-toe in his boy band’s regalia and. I was probably ten miles down the road when I topped a hill and saw them. I came to a stop behind the Land Cruiser and ran over to where Cheyenne and Stan were kneeling beside Frank. His Silverado was off the road and lying on its side a few feet away.I was filled with dread when I saw the blood all over Frank’s face and the front of his shirt. It looked like he’d been shot in the head.I kneeled down and asked, “How’s he doing, Cheyenne?”To my total surprise, Frank spit out a mouthful of blood. They talked for a long time as she caught him up on all that had happened in her life.He asked, “What about your grades?”She looked forlorn and didn’t want to say anything.“Rylee, you have to keep your grades up. I won’t let you get out of that, even if I’m not around!”She apologized and said she would try harder. She did feel better now being able to see and talk to him. As she spoke, she started getting ready for bed. Not being used to video, she forgot that her father could see her as she.