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Smiling, Dave let out a small laugh. "I reckon you think I'm plumb crazy for even considering it."

"No, I don't-- not if it's what you really want."

Dave set aside his notebook and turned to face Adam. "Before I came here, I thought I wanted to be so popular that everyone listened to my music."

"Now you're thinking differently?"

"I'm seeing the other side of fame," confessed Dave, "and I'm not so sure it's what I want, after all."

"This lifestyle certainly isn't for everyone," acknowledged Adam, "but it has it's bright spots."

Dave was silent for a moment. "After I graduated with my doctorate in music, I taught piano out of my apartment for awhile to pay the bills. I enjoyed passing my knowledge on to others, but I had so few students, I couldn't make a living." He looked at his friend and mentor with serious brown eyes. "Do you think I'm making the right decision?"

"That's only something you can answer," smiled Adam. "I can only tell you to follow your heart. God says He'll be the one to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, so if you want to teach, then I guess He's the one who put that desire in you, Dave." (Philippians 2:13)

"I really enjoyed teaching Charlie," Dave sighed happily. "I enjoy helping others learn something they thought was impossible, and seeing that look of understanding cross their face for the very first time. When I teach, I feel as though I'm making a contribution to something bigger than myself."

"Do you plan on using anything you've learned while working with me?" Adam inquired with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"No," Dave shook his head emphatically, "I signed a non-disclosure agreement, and I intend to keep it."

"Even though it might help your career?"

"I hope you know me better than that!" exclaimed Dave.

"I know you," smiled Adam, "but I needed to hear you say it. Dave, if you think you can use anything that you've learned from me about composition and music theory, then you have my permission to use it in your curriculum. As long as you keep my personal life out of your classroom, then I won't consider it a breech of trust."

Dave was surprised by Adam's offer. He knew how hard it was for Adam to maintain his privacy, and Adam was displaying a high degree of trust in his discretion when he didn't have to. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"I don't know what to say," Dave sighed in amazement. "This is incredibly generous of you, Adam. I know my students will get a kick out of hearing how a real, world-class musician composes. I appreciate it."

Adam ran his fingers across the keyboard once more and then closed his piano. "So, you really want to be a teacher? You're willing to give up the spotlight and all the accolades to become a music professor?"

"Assistant professor of music," Dave corrected with a smile. "I don't think I was cut out for all this fame. I look at you, and I don't know how you do it. I couldn't stand up to all that pressure and responsibility."

"There's certainly a lot of both," admitted Adam.

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