Convoluted

"A pear tree, a freaking pear tree Reginald!" Jess ranted as she strutted down the hallway. "How am I supposed to write a story that takes place with a pear tree? A stupid pear tree!"

"I have to write about a lamp post." Reggie quietly responded, trying to empathize, as he closely trailed behind Jess.

"I just don't get it! Why is Ms. Hendry out to make me fail? A FREAKING PEAR TREE!" Jess continued as she burst through the doors to the courtyard. Blinded by the brightness outside, she paused to cover her face with her arm and take a deep breath. It was peaceful… for a moment. "I really think she is green with jealousy because I have so many opportunities that she could only dream of."

Puzzled, Reggie retorted with sass. "She is a best-selling author, Jess. She has way more experience and opportunities as a writer than you. Just because you have had some interest from a few filmmakers in turning your short story into a movie, that does not make you the next Hemingway."

Jess was flabbergasted. After a moment Reggie continued but his tone was softer. "I am sure there is reasoning behind the creative writing competition prompts. Professor Hendry is an incredible writer, brilliant professor, and if you open yourself up, she is a great mentor. She adds a lot of value and insight to my writing and life."

"Ms. Hendry has nothing to offer me as a professor or a mentor." Jess scoffed as she rolled her eyes at the idea that the person she deemed her nemesis and the least helpful person in the whole university could teach her anything about the written word. Unamused with the notion, Jess went down the steps and marched with haste through the courtyard. "She is condescending, conniving, and just plain tacky. Furthermore, she has made it clear she does not care for my ideas or my words..."

"So that is what this is about." Reggie cut in as he trailed a few steps behind her. "You are still mad at her for her remarks about your story. What did she say again...? It was 'arbitrary at best, convoluted in actuality, and a blatant and fully transparent cry of mediocrity' right?" Reggie began laughing uncontrollably as he replayed the memory over in his head. "Man, she blasted you Jess."

Jess stopped dead in her tracks and whipped her head around to glare at Reggie. He quickly straightened out, but you could see him fighting to contain his laughter. Jess turned back and continued walking. "It is not my fault she has no taste and completely lacks the ability to comprehend the human experience."

"You are the one who doesn't get it Jess…" Reggie muttered. Jess just froze.

"Excuse me?" Jess asked.

"The whole class read your story and most of us agreed with Professor Hendry's evaluation. It just didn't make sense." Reggie claimed. "And you can't criticize the reader for not understanding the message of your story when I don't even know that you understood the message… and before you comment on how some people want to buy the rights to your story. Remember that isn't always the best thing. They could have interpreted it as something it is not and they can turn it into whatever they please if you go that route."

"You just don't get it." Jess said exasperated. "No one gets it. I'll talk to you later." She paused before beginning her stride again and leaving a speechless Reggie behind in the middle of the courtyard.

Jess was hurting as she fought back tears but all she could do in that moment was walk. So, she walked and walked all the way across the campus. She came to the small clinic on campus. She took a deep breath in to collect herself before she marched in.

"I have a three o'clock appointment with Sally." Jess said after approaching the young woman at the front desk.

"And your name?" The woman responded as she paused her typing on the computer.

Shyly Jess responded. "Jessabelle Moore."

"Perfect! I have you all checked in. You may have a seat and Dr. Cartmell will be with you shortly." The woman gestured to the chairs in the waiting room before continuing to type.

Jess sat down and flipped through one of the magazines as she waited.

"Jess?" A kind voice grabbed Jess' attention. She looked up from the magazine to see Dr. Sally Cartmell before her. "It is so great to see you again Jess… why don't you come on back."

Jess stood up and followed Sally back to her office. It was a decent sized office that felt very cozy and homey. It was decorated with candles and crystals. There were quite a few shelves filled with books and trinkets. Jess put her book bag down and plopped onto a huge maroon couch.

"It has been a while huh? What brings you in today?" Sally asked as she grabbed a clipboard and pen from her desk before sitting on a brown armchair across from Jess.

"Well, you told me I wasn't allowed to miss another appointment… So here I am." Jess murmured.

"Well, you have missed the past 6 sessions. And if you remember you did agree to come in to talk to me once a week until we can work through some things." Sally looked compassionately at Jess. "So what should we talk about today?"

Jess just looked down in silence.

"I am all for sitting in the company of silence… But if you want me to sign off on the hours, participation is kind of a requirement." Sally said with a smile. There was no response so Sally continued. "What are you feeling today?"

"Annoyed." Jess grumbled.

"And why is that?" Sally inquired.

"Because I'm here, with you." Jess whined.

"I don't think I am the only reason… so why are you annoyed Jess." Asked Sally.

"I am annoyed that I have to talk about feelings. It's stupid and pointless. And I am annoyed that my friends… my friend, cannot just be on my side for once. And I am annoyed that I poured my heart and soul into a story, like you recommended, and my former favorite professor and my classmates nitpicked every detail and thought it was trite… And then when I share my story on my blog and get stellar feedback, everyone is jealous and conspires against me.” Jess paused with disgust. “And today, for our setting prompt writing assignment, I got a pear tree. What story worth telling ever happens near a pear tree?”