Dawn of a New Day by Gilbert Morris Page B

best that we not see each other.” This had been the plan that her parents and she had agreed on, confident that it would bring Mark to his senses. Then she added quickly, “I also think it might be best if I went to the prom with Harry Findley.”
    Mark stared at her helplessly. “But, Debbie…” he began.
    But she shook her head and said, “I’m sure a little time apart will make you see reason, Mark.” She turned and walked away, and Mark, feeling as if he had been hit in the stomach, turned too and wandered down the halls, missing his next class and wondering how he had ever gotten himself into such a predicament.

    Prue was shocked when two days after Mark’s breakup with Debbie he told her what had happened. She was feeding the tiny fox that a neighbor had found in the woods, a vixen, and she looked up with astonishment from inside the pen where she kept the tiny animal. “What did you say, Mark?” She rose at once and stepped outside, saying to the fox, “No, Pulitzer, you stay in.” Then she turned and said, “You and Debbie have broken up?”
    â€œThat’s about it. You want to hear the gory details?”
    â€œIf you want to tell me.” Prue saw that he did want to talk, and the two walked slowly to the edge of the woods that flanked the Deforge farm. They sat down on a log, and Prue listened as Mark recounted the incident. When he was finished, he looked up at her with despair and said, “I guess you think I’m nutty, don’t you? Everybody will. Giving up all those scholarships to go traipsin’ all over the country.”
    Prue reached out and put her hands over his. “If that’s what you want to do, Mark, and you think it’s right, do it! But I believe you ought to talk it over with your parents, and all of you make the decision. It’s a family matter.”
    Mark looked relieved. “Well, gosh. It’s good to hear you say that, Prue. I been thinking I was the world’s worst punk. I’ll tell you, those fights with Debbie and listening to her parents just about did me in.”
    They sat there talking on and on, Prue mostly listening to Mark’s plans to travel the United States. It did not disturb her, for she knew if he went to college she would not see him often anyway. Finally, when he mentioned he was not going to the prom, she said instantly, “I think you ought to go, Mark.”
    â€œWhy? What fun would it be?”
    â€œWell, it’s sort of the end of your high school career, and besides, I don’t want Debbie to think that she’s defeated you. You ought to get a date and go with your head up.”
    â€œNo, I wouldn’t want to do that.” He looked at her and smiled warmly. “You’re good medicine, Prue. I was about ready to jump in the river, but it makes me feel good to know that at least one person thinks I’m not completely off my rocker.”
    Later that night, after supper, Mark called his parents together for a conference. They listened carefully as he explained what he wanted to do; finally Les said, “Is it really what you want, Mark? You’ll be giving up a lot, like college and football.”
    â€œThose things are important for some people, Dad, but honestly, they don’t mean a thing to me.” He looked at his mother and said, “Mom, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’ve always wanted to be a writer. It’s all I ever wanted to do; I could spend four years at the university, but I’ve read what I think are good writers. They didn’t learn it in college. It was something inside of them, and I think if I don’t try this, I’ll always think I missed the boat.”
    â€œThen you ought to do it, son,” Joy said. She came over, kissed him, and said, “I’ve seen something in you for a long time, and I’ve been waiting for you to tell us about it.”
    â€œWell, I