September 16, 1992
Nick's office phone rarely rings, in fact, he can't remember when it wasn't some vendor or sales person asking for one of his predecessors and hadn't updated their Rolodex yet. One of the sales people was a female with a nice voice, but he knew a female with an even nicer voice, and in the middle of the afternoon it's her on the other end, after he was startled at the ringing and had to dig out the handset from behind a thick stack of Computer Shoppers.
"Guess where I'm at?"
He pauses for a second, sighs, "Alright how much is bail this time?"
"I'll tell your mother you said that."
He pauses for a longer second. "No way."
"Yep, been a crazy day, I was actually on campus but had to come over this way to drop off some work at an office, then thought I'd stop by to get my wits and now we're gonna fix supper tonight-" then she takes an exaggerated breath.
"Have your wits caught up with you yet?"
"You'll find out soon enough...so...anything in particular for supper?"
Another pause. "No not really."
Now she pauses, probably giving his mom a look, "Wow you're a big help."
"Is there going to be salad?"
"OOH salad!" He can hear his mom talking, then "Sounds like we're doing salad."
"Alright then, it's salad."
"Honey I have some things to talk to you about, it's....well, I have an opportunity."
"Maybe we can sit on the patio."
"Mmmm I can't wait. OK you get back to slaving away and we're gonna run to the store I think."
"Yeah really, see you in a bit."
Classes begin next week. He's gotten things as ready as he knows how, hopefully nothing big breaks down but that's why he's there after all.
Slowly but surely he'd been soldering up a permanent version of his RTTY modem, leaving room on the board for transistors that would key the rig, once he’s licensed to transmit. It appears he'd have to track down a special rectangular connector to interface things with the rig but then that would just be a challenge for later days. Hell, one of these catalogs here on the shelf may just have it.
This coming Saturday there was a license testing session over in Noreen's county seat in the library basement. Goody had been studying but wasn't sure about the Morse code part, at least at this point, but was interested in getting the Technician license and might show up too.
* * * * *
Nick arrived home and found the gals sitting at the table sipping coffee, his mom delighted and Noreen slightly, well, dazed. After a brief greeting he takes her hand and leads them outside while Irene checks on whatever's in the oven, smells like pork chops.
The day had been cool but slightly humid. They stand on the patio for a moment staring out at the yard.
"You okay hon?" Nick finally offers.
She leans on him. "I got a call yesterday from Deb, our office assistant."
"The one who gets flustered by fake British interviewers?"
"The same. Asked if I could meet with Dr. Stone today."
"Utoh."
"That's what I thought, even when it's a good thing you can never be ready with him."
"So how did your real British interview go?"
"Nick they have been plotting to arrange a kind of fellowship for me, to get my masters..."
"Wow."
"Yeah, I wasn't expecting anything like this."
"So...."
"Okay, first, well, there’s a good chance I'd be around here...except for some lectures or such on main campus here and there, and a lot of it would be independent study and during the summer."
"Cool, I think, does that work for you?"
"Nick it's a dream come true, best of both worlds. Dr. Stone has been talking to his...wanna say cohorts, but counterparts, at main campus, even the big dean, they're all on board. They'll find me classes to teach and I'm all set. Although there is a chance they might have me adjunct at other colleges here and there, that kind of thing, but I'll be based here. Well, at least that’s the plan."
"This is excellent."
She smiles at him for the first time today in his presence, "I sure hope so. Thank you for being so supportive. It's just so -"
"Sudden?"
"Yeah. Seems to be a recurring theme lately doesn't it?"
"At times. We'll make it work though."
She puts a hand on his shoulder. "Are you gonna do your radio test then come see me this weekend?"
"Unless you're gonna ride with me, Goody might show up too."
"We'll see." She stares into space and twiddles what's left of her last living-room perm.
"This has to be a lot to take in at once."
She sighs, "Yeah, it is, was getting things in place to start next week, not that I'd start my own classes till winter, but still."
Nick pulls her in for a squeeze, she rests her head on his shoulder and gets situated in the pre-autumn air.
After a few moments she asks, "I'm thinking of letting my hair go straight again."
"Like when, um, back-"
"You got it, Spike."
"Hmmm."
About then the patio door opens, then a male voice, "You two gonna spend all night out there? I'm hungry."
Noreen speaks up first, "Hi Ned, yeah let's eat."
"Hello, Dear, and what's-his-face can come in too."
During supper Irene mentions they saw Deacon at the store but didn't get to talk to him. So, after supper Nick sweeps up Noreen to pay him a surprise visit. He's graying a bit more than ever but same ol' Deke, slips her a wink and asks her how many fingers he's holding up to check her vision.
Nick puts his hands on his head in exasperation, "Why does EVERYONE ask her that?" then shakes his head as they laugh, then they have a round of imported beers on Deke's legendary patio.