Eckerd College, St. Petersburg Florida

"Hey stranger." said a voice.

Billy looked up from where he sat, coiling rope. He'd been Mr. Buffet's teaching assistant for a few months now, and cleaning up after classes was one of his duties. "Well now," he said, smiling slightly, "There's a face I haven't seen much of for a while."

Mei Ling stood before him, still looking as dazzling as when he'd first met her four years ago. They had dated for a while until she'd been scared off by a glimpse of his real life. He couldn't say he blamed her. Since they had broken up they hadn't seen much of each other outside of classes. And as the years went by those intersected less and less.

"What's up?" he asked. "You ready for graduation?"

"As I'll ever be." she said, standing awkwardly. "I'm going back to Australia to continue my studies."

"Good school then?"

"Yeah. And I miss my family."

There was something about how she had just said that, a catch in her voice, that made him look at her carefully. She wasn't his girlfriend anymore, barely more than an acquaintance really. But in honor of the closeness they once shared, he decided to ask.

"Everything okay?"

Mei Ling grimaced. She'd gone for a walk to try to get her head around what was happening. She hadn't expected to run into anyone, much less Billy. But now, with the question asked, she really wanted to talk about it.

"My father and my little brother are fighting. My brother has wanted to be a musician all his life. And he's good! I mean incredible! But my father..."

"Lemme guess, dear ol' daddy don't approve?"

"He wants him to be a doctor. My career choice was okay I guess cause it was 'intellectual'. But music...he's threatening to disown my brother if he doesn't agree."

"Your father is wrong." Billy said simply. "I'm tempted to say unworthy of being a father but I don't want to hurt your feelings."

She looked shocked. "Bill-"

"I know better than most that parents need to prove themselves worthy of their children. Not the other way around."