Free Searching for Moore by Julie A. Richman Page B

emotional slideshow to music portraying the dichotomy of the promise and the betrayal.
    The class cheered when they finished and Professor Stevens joined the four at the front of the lecture hall, casually slinging an arm around Mia’s shoulder.
    “Wow!” He exclaimed, “I am actually speechless. What we all just witnessed was a Master class in American Popular Culture. I am really proud of all of you. You took on some of the voices that others would have overlooked.” He looked directly at Schooner, “Phil Ochs — what a joy to see him getting his due. Well done.” Schooner beamed. “Ok everyone, let’s take a fifteen minute break while the next group sets up.”
    The four gathered their materials and headed out into the hall for a group hug and high fives. It was an amazing culmination of a month long high. Friendship, love, learning, success, growth — the four were flying high.
    Together they walked to the Stevens’ house that evening. Rick’s wife Wendy, a former student fifteen years prior, was welcoming and clearly up to date on all that had happened throughout Interim. She was as excited for the groups as they were, knowing the focus of each of their presentations.
    Schooner stood behind Mia, his arms over her shoulders, as she leaned against him. They were “out” in public as a couple and he loved how it felt. He just wanted to say to everyone there, “You saw her today. That is my Baby Girl!”
    Finding himself alone talking to Wendy, Schooner was surprised and impressed to find out she knew that he had made first string on the tennis team — the only freshman to do so. She clearly followed all of the university’s sports teams and regaled him with stories of team’s past and some of his coach’s minor indiscretions. Rosie joined them and Wendy had them laughing with stories of what the school had been like when she was a student.
    Mia was engaged in a serious conversation with Rick and Schooner consciously had to tell himself to chill out, that there was no reason to be jealous. He was not used feeling jealous of other men and it was sitting oddly in his gut.
    Wendy noticed Schooner’s gaze. “Rick was so glad when she signed up for his Interim seminar,” she began. “He came home after class one day last semester and said, “I’ve got one that is really thinking” and so I asked him where she was from, figuring it couldn’t be California,” she laughed. “And Rick said, by the sound of her accent, I think she’s a New Yorker. He wants her to TA for him next year. It’s going to be a stretch getting approval on a sophomore — but he thinks if she’s interested, he can get it done.”
    Schooner looked over at them and smiled. He was so damn proud of her. “So, you think she’ll be interested?” Wendy asked, hoping to get advance scoop.
    “Well, I can’t answer for her, but…” he paused, for effect, “I’d be really shocked if she wasn’t interested.” Wendy looked satisfied.
    “So, Phil Ochs?” She said to him, “That’s really freaking impressive. Rick’s been teaching this seminar for five Interims and you are the first person to cover Phil Ochs. We’ve been waiting for someone to do it. He called me right after class today to tell me.” Schooner was beaming.
    She looked at him slyly out of the corner of her eye, “So at the beginning of the month, Rick and I made bets on how many Springsteen songs Mia would incorporate over the month into her papers and the final project.” Schooner nearly spit his beer on the floor, he started to laugh so hard. Wendy had a hand on his arm, steadying herself while she laughed, heartily. Mia looked over toward them with an inquisitive look on her face. He winked at her, turned back to Wendy and continued their laughing.
    “That is freaking hysterical. You’ll have to let me know who wins.” He looked at his sweet Baby Girl talking to her Prof, who clearly saw how special she was, and thought how much richer his college