The Fifth Season Read Online Free PDF Page A

birthday call, Mary Jo rarely communicated with her mother, both gradually growing indifferent to the other’s needs, each content with the waning relationship which had crept, unobserved, into their lives.
    Mary Jo’s leisure time was mainly spent alone, wandering around the historical centers of the Woodside Museum and the Gothic cottages district with her camera in hand. It was during one such outing that she met a young research science graduate and experienced her first affair. It had been a brief and disappointing relationship, leaving her feeling empty and used. During their second date, they had driven to Niagara Falls where, consumed by the magnificent spectacle and overpowering force of nature’s work, she had willingly surrendered herself to his eager hands, their coupling completed and her date half-dressed, before Mary Jo had even recognized what had transpired. For a time, she retreated to her studies, satisfied to bury herself in activities associated with the demanding, practical applications of photojournalism studies.
    Mary Jo had chosen to remain in the dorms right through to graduation.
    If anything, she felt a little guilty that her step-father had never once questioned her seemingly endless requests for funds, and decided to apply for a position as a resident adviser in her third year. The quid pro quo required that in consideration for her board, she helped take care of students on her floor. Mary Jo found offering advice, even counseling students not much younger than herself, thoroughly rewarding. The small stipend she received provided her with a sense of accomplishment, knowing that this lessened her dependency on others, and in her final year she took on tutoring.
    It soon became apparent to R.I.T. staff that Mary Jo had a most promising talent and they encouraged her in every way. Her practical achievements attracted considerable praise and upon graduation, the Dean arranged a position for her with a mid-western daily. But it was her childhood dreams of travel that continued to drive Mary Jo forward, her restlessness resulting in a reluctant chief-of-staff agreeing to introduce her to an associate in New York, who placed her on probation for three months at the respected news agency. To Mary Jo’s great satisfaction, she excelled and flourished in the Big Apple’s exciting and challenging environment. Mary Jo’s dedication and skill firmly ensconced her within the media corps, and soon became recognized as one of the finest journalists in her profession.
    At twenty-three, Mary Jo’s reputation was already well established. Her circle of acquaintances and friends revolved around the competitive media industry and, although she enjoyed a number of brief, sexual skirmishes, she had no real desire to settle down. It therefore came as some surprise to Mary Jo when she fell passionately in love, the whirlwind romance leaving her giddier than even she thought possible. When Eric Fieldmann entered her life, the high-profile, foreign correspondent had swept her away, and Mary Jo gave herself completely, convinced that he was the one.
    Her world took on an entirely new meaning. Mary Jo’s friends smiled knowingly whenever she spoke of her lover and their moments together, observing the young, love-stricken woman’s metamorphosis most had experienced whilst still in their teens. Mary Jo’s demeanor softened, her perspectives acquired new dimensions and her attitude towards her career took an unexpected turn. She was earnestly in love and did not care who knew it. To her, Eric Fieldmann was everything she could possibly want in a lover and companion. He was handsome, witty and highly respected by his peers. His voice, smell and their lovemaking constantly invaded her thoughts, every minute of the day. Mary Jo moved her things into his Soho apartment and canceled the lease on her own. She was deliriously happy, and ecstatic when her lover announced that he had decided