"I'm glad we all had a chance to spend some time together ladies, but I'm afraid that my intentions were not solely social", Chancellor Kaminksi said. She had just enjoyed lunch with Joyce and Alison Barton. Joyce was a distinguished Wesley Alumni, and her daughter Alison was one of the Wesley Graduate Program's brightest stars, or at least she had been until recently. "What is it Ann?", Joyce asked innocently.

Alison turned quickly and looked gazed at the Chancellor with fear. She prayed this wasn't what it looked like. "Well, Joyce. I'm afraid I've noticed a sharp decline in Alison's studies", the Chancellor said. "Really, Ann? That is awful. Is this true Alison?", Joyce asked. It was evident now that she had already known the true meaning of the meeting. The Chancellor must have set it up ahead of time. Alison couldn't believe this was happening.

"Chancellor Kaminski, with all due respect", Alison started, obviously angered, "I am a 23 year old graduate student, not a 15 year old freshman in high school. I don't think calling my mother in to discuss my studies is at all appropriate!", Alison said quite sternly. "Actually, young lady, I think it is quite appropriate", Joyce said, equally sternly. "Please ladies, I understand why you would both be upset, but let's work this out like adults", the Chancellor said.

"How can you expect that we will work this out like adults when I am quite clearly being treated like a child!?", Alison said, bursting out of her chair to address Joyce directly. "Alison, as long as your father and I are paying the tuition, we will have a say in the process of your education!", Joyce said. "Please, ladies, lets sit", Chancellor Kaminski tried, realizing the heat of the situation. Alison relented and sat back down. Joyce remained standing.

Joyce closed her eyes and let out a big sigh as she collected herself. "Sweety", she said with her eyes still closed, as if she was concentrating on remembering a rehearsed speech, "Your father and I love you very much. You've always made us so proud. There is a lot to live up to with the Barton name, and you've always come through until now. Chancellor Kaminski was right to call us. We just want to know what has been going on. We're worried"

Alison was still very angry, but her mother's concerned approach did take a little wind out of her sails. "Look, everything is fine. I've just had a hard time.... concentrating over the last few weeks. That's all.", she said. "Actually, Alison... it's been a bit longer than the last few weeks.", Chancellor Kaminski corrected, "In fact, you haven't been yourself since last spring. I haven't seen you invest yourself in anything with any dedication for quite

some time. Plus there was that whole SLC fund raiser debacle", the Chancellor said. "Chancellor, you know what happened at the SLC fund raiser was not of my own doing", Alison protested. "Please Alison, that is one situation I don't think you want to discuss in front of your mother!", the Chancellor warned. Alison wanted to again plead her innocence, but Kaminski was right, it was better to let sleeping dogs lye.

"What fund raiser debacle. Alison, you never told me anything about this?", Joyce said, startled beaus there was something she didn't know about. "Never mind Mother", Alison said. "Yes, lets not worry about that now Joyce, let's concentrate on helping Alison get back in the groove with her studies", supported the Chancellor. "Fine", Joyce relented, "Is there anything we can do to help you Alison?" Alison was still very mad about this

whole situation, but she figured she was cornered, she might as well start wiggling her way out. She let go of her angry face, put on a sad one, and looked down at the floor. "I guess a lot of it is due to the fact that I've been having trouble sleeping. I'm sort of tired all the time because of it.", Alison said, it was the truth. "Well why didn't you just say so Alison, there are doctors who can help with that", Joyce said.

"I know Mother, you're right. You're both right. I'll make an appointment to see Dr. Berry.", she said, pouting like a child scorned. "That sounds like a wonderful idea Alison", Chancellor Kaminski added. "Indeed. Are you ready to go?", Joyce asked her daughter. "Yes, but I think I'll walk back, I have a little thinking to do. I'll meet you at my place later, ok?", Alison said. Her mother agreed.

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