Recognition

Aislin filled her Nalgene with ice and Mountain Dew. The woman at the counter was the owner of the small convience store, and the mother of a classmate. Laughing, Aislin recalled stopping here nearly everyday during her high school years for a soda and a Snickers bar.

"How do you like being back in town?" the attendant asked.

Aislin choked on her drink. "You remember me?"

"You were in Adam's class and moved to Colorado after graduation," she said, taking Aislin's seventy-five cents.

Keep it about her, and don't answer questions, Aislin thought. "How's Adam?"

Adam had been a classmate since kindergarten. A nice guy pushed into the freaks and geeks category by his participation in Honours classes.

"Oh, he spent four years in the Marines and is working as a plumber now. What about you?"