Anna Sumption

Sept 1986

It's hot in the Midwest, and dry, and no one has hope in the Cubs. Even on the 2nd day of life at JHS Nick is convinced that he's in good shape with Mr. Heilermann for Physical Science, seems he teaches all but one section of it and the other teacher doesn't care much for freshmen.

Nick had been feeling slightly ill, as if coming down with a mild cold, his mom said it was probably allergies, though he'd never been diagnosed, but a lot had been going on and he'd insisted on wearing socks and a T-shirt that came packaged with some blank cassettes, both of which contained too much polyester to be comfortable, in an effort to cut across the pretentious tendency of folks to dress up at the beginning of the school year.

After after pulling down the screen and asking for help pulling shades and cutting the lights, Heil flips on a slide projector that produces the color image of a rather fashionable young woman, right out of a catalog, moderately made up, intense gaze peering into the middle area of the room with the student desks all surrounded by those black lab tables with the cabinets and gas taps.

Her hair is unnaturally darker at the roots but not by much, color reminds Nick of Golden Grahams cereal. Eyes are that shade between blue and green that you can't define; she belongs to no one but herself, the kind that sings at the youth talent gatherings and you see always talking to the leader types.

The shot is only waist up but there's obviously quite a body involved. After pausing a few seconds to a few reactions here and there, a subdued wolf whistle, approving groans and girls whispering, Heil starts in, "Let me introduce you to Miss Sumption, first name Anna....Anna Sumption."

Into Nick's mind pops Anna Sumptuous but before he can get tempted to say it out loud Fred Bauer pipes up,

"Can I get her number, or...."

"You don't want it. She'll make a fool of you," Heil fires back.

"Wouldn't' be the first time..."

"Nor the last either, alright, listen up - I think you know where I'm going with this, yes I consult with my wife and daughter to find an image that grabs the attention of guys for obvious reasons and the gals for other reasons, someone you might want to talk to, or just look at, or maybe spite, whatever. In science it's easy to take things the wrong way at first, we have to keep asking questions, get past first impressions. You may look at this young lady and assume she's consumed with fashion, or power, or whatever her image may impress upon you. In reality she was hired by JCPenny to help point out how their in-store salon can help bring together a look along with their wardrobe, shoes -

One of the girls coughs, "K-MART" and gets a mixed reaction.

"Yeah yeah, and obviously, modeling is not my game but we all have a purpose in life. Our purpose is to get to the truth, not rely purely on assumptions. Now, we'll see that in science we do have to make assumptions, but they have their place - don't ever forget that."

Heil then flips off the projector light, leaving the fan on, then asks for the lights and shades to revert to their previous state.

Normally Nick doesn't have problems with distraction in a science class but that stock photo brought someone roaring back right when he needed his mind to take notes.

Sometime the previous year a younger couple began appearing in the Sunday morning service. Each week it seemed Irene had grown more interested in them, they're engaged and planning to get married at the church soon, Brad and Jennifer; he is taking business classes at the tech and she is a hairdresser at Pennys. It seemed these two usually got there right before service started, with her walking slightly out in front and holding his arm and then afterward never around longer than a few quick, passing conversations.

One week Nick got to talking to Brad while Jennifer was in the restroom, Nick was already interested in the electronics program at the 'twig' (branch campus, get it?), Brad really liked it there and had played some ball for the college league, not too tall but had a decent build.

It wasn't long before she bounces up to him, grabs his arm, and says something just for him to hear. Brad finishes his sentence as she looks around briefly then glances back at Nick and he swears, out of the corner of his eye she takes a longer look that could be interpreted as approval, right before Brad reaches for a handshake, good to meet you, we're joining her parents for lunch so see you soon.

Not long after that Nick's own folks are ready to head home, so they do, and it's not till after lunch, during the time when Ned and Irene always nap in place, holding down their recliners on a rainy afternoon, Tim is already down the street in someone's basement, Nick closes his bedroom door and bunkers down.

Just what the hell was that look she gave? In that short dress, well put together, as a stylist should be, he hadn't really checked her out, she's almost married and married is out of bounds, but then...almost, so does it count to explore the possibilities, that aren't remotely possible, at least by conventional wisdom, but to the mind's eye, is she fair game, up until their wedding?

When she floated up to Brad as she did that short beige dress knew just what to do, sheeeeeer energeee, it's all a conspiracy against his better conscience. He almost put on his dub of the Van Halen tape to play through the first side with Drop Dead Legs but prefers to keep things quiet in this kind of situation, especially with so many loose ends.

He fishes out a folded paper towel from the mattress and tries starting out with his usual haunts, girls at school who might be accessible if things lined up right, no idea how that would happen, in the shower, on a clandestine couch, someone's shed...in the church...loft? Fantasies are songs; fading in and out of their own world for a few moments at a time.

Then out of nowhere, just as the power curve started to show up, Jennifer floats in with that suspicious look, show me what ya got, the little beige dress is nowhere in sight but her bra, one of those you see when thumbing through a Sears or Penny's catalog and her hose still on, she's glad to take it into her mouth and from there it's fireworks.

Upon awakening Nick wonders if the wedding is for church folks or just friends and family.

This question fades into the first part of the week, until Wednesday when Irene mentions she and Ned are going, they'd like it if he would too, but thankfully Ned is there to intervene and gives him the choice of some seasonal yard work for a few extra bones. 

That's the answer.

Brad and Jennifer take off for their honeymoon then Nick never sees them again nor hears any mention until the following spring, when word gets around that she has run off to Chicago with someone and they are divorcing.

Professor Darling

Sunday Sept 20, 1992

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a project, or at least a semblance of one, and as an homage of sorts to the Morse Code test he'd just aced, he'd spent most of the last evening then since breakfast fumbling about with a C program to, well, do something with Morse Code.

He thought it would be cool to type a letter and have it beep the code, but it proved beyond reach to set the length of the beeps. But the real itch was to have a library that set the dots and dashes for each letter, each number, each character. Seems this could eventually lead to some kind of wiring with the radio, but for now, he had the VAX to himself so time to play.

Eventually it got to the point of typing in a character, say, B and the printout comes back as,

******************************          **********          **********          **********

which will do nicely for a start.

All through this time, something mentioned in the computer lab while they got him set up, he'd been seen with the English instructor, didn't she date one of the Math professors a couple years ago?  Nick didn't think so, his gal had been away from the campus, otherwise she would have had to avoid him or lightning would have struck much sooner than it had.

Still.

It wouldn't go away.

Falling asleep was difficult last night. He didn't want to call her until later today to rest up and heal up before one of the biggest weeks of her career. Not that it would matter if she'd been seeing someone, but it didn't fit what she'd related, and what had always made sense, all these months, the moments, the times, the laughs. Even the love, he was starting to come to terms with.

He'd found himself increasingly tempted to call her that moment to clear things up, but didn't, turned on the TV, nothing on, turned on the rig, then thought duh, jazz. Maybe she had already fallen asleep to jazz.

For Nick he jazz did its trick and he drifted off in a state of suspended disbelief.

Morning came to the smell of breaky cooking so he wandered downstairs, pecked his mom on the cheek, she asks him what's wrong, he shrugged it off as trying to get a program to work.

"Are you sure honey? Have you talked to our Noreen?"

"Not yet, trying to let her rest."

"She'll be fine, you know that."

He did. Still.

So the rest of the morning he had gotten the C code to do his bidding but it seemed a hollow victory.

So he hops on the bike for the standard tour, then some side streets, but he can't shake it.

Gets home and picks up the cordless, fully charged, then heads out to the front steps and dials her.

After three and a half rings, a sleepy voice, "hello?"

"Hey, how's the patient?"

"Glad to awaken to your voice."

"Sorry, didn't mean -"

"It's okay, *ah-HHEMM*, sorry, actually this thing is running its course, fever down, mostly slept since you called yesterday. Sandy brought some soup, bless her heart."

"Well that's good, will you be ready for the world?"

"I have to be. But will the world be ready for ME?"

"I don't see how it ever will babe."

"We'll make up for the lost weekend, after the term settles into a groove."

"Yeah."

Pause. "Don't sound so enthused there."

"Sorry, just...um...."

"What's going on?"

Pauses. "I have to ask you something."

"Anything."

"Well, when i stopped by the campus yesterday I had to ask the computer lab geeks for a password, and one of them thought you had dated Professor Darling."

All Nick hears is a mix of coughing and laughter.

"You OK?"

"Are you SERIOUS?"

"Yeah one of them thought it was you."

"Oh please, Mr. Marvelous? Have you ever met that guy?"

"No, but...is he the real tall one, kinda like that dude from Carol Burnett?"

"Yeap, he's our own Lyle Wagoner, gets around too, sheesh, I swear that guy tries for everything he can get his hands on..."

"OHHHH...I didn't know, never heard that particular gossip."

"Sweetie it sounds like someone is either pulling your leg or full of shit."

"If not both." Nick feels like an asshole.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know...."

"Babe don't worry about it, it's hilarious, I mean, he is pretty good looking, if you're into that type, but no way, I like my lab geek." He could hear the smile in her voice.

"Will you be around tomorrow?"

"Don't know yet, I may have to miss a meeting or two but someone will get me notes.

After a few minutes they wrap up and she vows to sleep, he to ride some more and do whatever sounds good.

Nick takes another bike ride and ponders what to do about Alan, that weird little bearded fellow who brought up the whole Darling thing.

As the cooler breeze sets in he watches some Funniest Home Videos while poking around the VAX filesystem, just because he can.

Ham Exam

Saturday Sept 19, 1992

At a pay phone in a library in a town he's only been to a few times, Noreen finally answers during the fifth ringydingy, in a subdued voice,

"Heh-hello?"

"Hey are you OK?" Nick's concern from not being able to reach her after two attempts this morning is almost alarming.

"Hey, got your message, sorry I didn't answer, slept till about 20 minutes ago and I feel like hell, throat hurts."

"Oh man, can I stop by?"

"NO...I mean, sweetie, I'm a mess and I don't want you getting this."

"But I don't want you sick and by yourself."

She pauses. "Babe you are awesome, but I'll be fine, I just need to rest. How did you do?"

"Passed the three tests, just have to get my ticket in the mail in a few weeks."

She squeaks, "Y........ss," then starts coughing.

"Ok wow you are in rough shape lady."

"Well it serves me right for staying so busy after the trip, I think I need to rest better before classes start up."

"Next year I'll try to remind you."

Brief pause. "Please do. I hate that I couldn't go with you, did Al join you?"

"Yeap, he took 2 of the 3 and will just have the higher bands, wants to get a talkie walkie."

"That's adorable - *cough*." Her voice sounds worse every sentence.

"Are you sure you'll be OK?"

"Yes, someone will either call or stop out to poke me with a stick."

"That's my job."

"Listen you...alright, I'm gonna...um, find a...TV, a tape."

"Go bundle up and watch MST3k."

"Yeah, that or Phantom, with a big mug of tea."

Nick is almost sure she means ...of the Opera but doesn't want to make her explain. "I'll check up on you later."

"Go help your poor mother with housework and hook up your radios."

"Noreen, I love you."

Silence for a good ten seconds. "God my head just left my body. You sure pick your moments don't you?"

"Well I know it now."

"Sick or not I could kick your ass right now. Are you at the library?"

"Yeah a pay phone."

Brief pause. "Man I love that place. You better go on home, slick, lemme rest and I'll deal with you later, OK?"

"Ok get some rest"

"I will, and I love you." She hangs up the phone. Nick has to grin at her means of punctuation. It's now that he consciously realizes her timbre is quite sexy when she's sick and that it's probably not something to mention until she feels better.

He had arrived about 10 till 9, checked the basement, found it empty, so looked around the library, aged as a fine wine, he could but imagine the shorter version of Noreen taking the place in while her dad looked things up in the newspapers they keep in that side room, coin prices, he thought she'd said.

There's a space for kids that's currently empty but it's early yet. Nick checks back downstairs just as Goody wanders in.

"Been here long?"

"Long enough."

They find two men and a woman setting up, Goody's turn to speak as they enter the basement room with the tables, "Looks like the party's just getting started."

After some introductions they are invited to take a seat and they start reviewing applications.

Nick is across from a fellow who gave his name as Bud, who perks up after seeing his name, "Swanson, I used to work traffic with a Swanson -"

"W9EAU by chance?"

Bud just looks at him full on. "Yeah, good ol' Jim, we sure miss him but I get the idea you do even more."

"Sure do, called him Paps."

Bud pauses a second, "Oh Nick, I don't have to tell you - did you get to spend time with him in the shack?"

"I sure did now and then, and I have most of his stuff, books, cards, the RTTY box, Icom 745. OH, but I got a current book from Radio Shack where I used to work, until this character hired me."

Goody just grins.

"OK, wow and you're going for Novice?"

"Actually I'm gonna try the Technician too."

"Well be our guest, no extra charge, did you catch that Phil, another Swanson on the air!"

And so that set the tone, after a couple other folks came in, including a pre-teen boy and his mom they got folks set up with the tests. Three of them were taking the Morse code but would have to go in turn since they only had one tape player and they all agree that the youngest should go first, kid is a 5th grader named Jerry that had gotten the bug at a scouting event.

Nick ends up taking both written tests back to back, acing one and missing one on the other. He admitted changing an answer and it turns out his initial guess was correct, but he had still passed by a mile.

With his typical understated, somewhat waddling gait, Goody turns in his second paper, Nick makes a remark about how fun it is to see his instructor take a test.

Goody is quick as ever, "You know I'm on good terms with the registrar and the ink isn't dry on your diploma yet."

This gets a laugh in the room of course.

Once graded, the instructor is all set for his license and nudges them to "not spare the red ink" when grading Nick's CW.

"Yeah, yeah at least I'm taking it," is all he can muster.

So Nick waits for the headphones and feels ready in between bursts of confusion about Noreen, maybe someone needed her help this morning on short notice, here comes the preamble set of VVV VVV (each one bee-bee-bee-BEEEEE) and then into the call signs, the caller, the one called, signal report, name, and the weather. The caller is Jim, which is a great omen, he's in Atlanta and he's returning to Susan in Hershey, PA. The weather is sunny and 51 degrees. Rig is a Drake running 50 watts into a loop antenna. After having eavesdropped on more than a few exchanges here and there at a more conversational speed he's realized how the entry speed not only feels slow but he's gotten beyond proficiency and could test a bit higher if that would accomplish anything.

He hands his paper to the female examiner and she seems to know what to look for, just taps it with a pen and hands it to Phil, who just nods, who hands it to Bud who just shakes his head, "Kid's a Swanson alright."

Before letting him go they make it clear that he always has a home at their club meetings and events and nets and we hope to hear you on the air soon as your ticket arrives, although the FCC is a few weeks behind thanks to budget cuts.

At that point Nick doesn't know what to do with himself so he hits the campus, walks the trail and wanders up to his building. For whatever reason he fishes out his keys to find the front door unlocked, then finds the computer lab with a few computer lab types getting things ready for next week. Next week, prime time. It's probably best if he doesn't get sick, just hope she's better by Wednesday.

He unlocks one of the adjoining classrooms and turns on a light to find it neatly swept and desolate. Going to feel strange not being in one of those seats. His office is literally a hole in the wall, between two locked doors at the back of two different classrooms and behind a smaller lab that's only accessible from the main hallway. It was probably intended as storage space then fitted for a desk when they realized they needed a tech on staff as the program grew.

Nick unlocks his office to find everything as he'd left it, housekeeping doesn't enter office spaces and staff have to set their trash cans outside to have them emptied or else make other arrangements.

It's about now that inspiration hits, it's a good time to get curious about the mainframe that powers the main lab, the big iron, the VAX. He hadn't logged into his student account in months and that would have to be disabled by now, and he hadn't yet asked for a staff account, he'd been preoccupied with getting the 6809 simulators re-re-upgraded.

He can either mess with it now or at home, might as well be a little of both, so he fires up his newly rebuilt workstation and brings up a command prompt, then stares at it. Seems you can...dec-net? Does the VAX have an...address? Seems the printers go through the VAX but he's never talked to it personally from anything but a dedicated console.

Time to head down the hall and poke his head in the lab. After about 10 minutes of bantering he's back in his office with half a page of notes scribbled on whatever was on top of the recycle bin to try his password, they set it to require a reset so pick a good'un, and he does, and he's free to explore. So he looks around for a few minutes then heads out, evidently on weekends like this the inbound modem line is rarely used so he can go nuts and just take a break every hour or so in case someone else needs it.

After some more pensive driving Nick ends up at his other Alma Mater, the Rad Shack, and before he can get to the desk here comes Bain who talks him into grabbing a burger and brew over at whichever lodge he belongs to.

When Nick finally gets home in the evening he finds his mom at the table and joins her after a peck on the forehead, recounts the day then gets quiet.

"Is there something else, dear?" Irene prods.

"Well...when talking to Noreen on the pay phone I told her I love her, and she said she could kick my butt."

Irene laughs and looks away, "Oh I bet she did."

"Is this some kind of girl thing?"

"It's a thing, you're very lucky to have her and don't you forget it."

"Yeah I could do a lot worse."

"Yes you could. She could do a lot BETTER of course."

Realizing he wasn't about to win he heads upstairs, showers, powers on the IBM and digs out those VAX notes with the modem number.

Stockton

Feb 1987

Curious junior Curt Stockton is in his assigned seat in first period study hall before the bell, drawing some dark, furry creature that's mostly a primate's head, looking upward somewhat wistfully, with duck-bill feet, rope arms and dragging hands. Just as Nick walks up someone asks Curt what the hell that is, he just turns up with sleepy eyes and chants,

I got a big BLLLLLB...BLL-BLL-BU-BLLL-BLLLLLB

In a compelling low teeth-clenched growl.

"Nifty," the other dude offers, then just as the bell rings Nick remarks that it looks like some some kind of 70s album art and they take their seats, a space apart, with Nick two seats behind Curt alphabetically.

First period study hall fell to Doc Benson this term, balding and tenured, pretty much a sure sentence to everyone who doesn't go to the county voc that will need Government to graduate. The seating chart, as much as possible, staggers the occupants diagonally throughout the room, consensus is that has to do with Sigmund Freud smiling in his grave.

After the bell rings and whosoever will are dismissed to the library, at the click of each minute on the centrally synchronized clocks Stockton would hit it again, subtly,

I got a big BLLLLLB...BLL-BLL-BU-BLLL-BLLLLLB

Expertly metered to just a 7 or 8 seat radius, and after a couple times it gets a bit bolder as folks chime in,

I got a big BLLLLLB...BLL-BLL-BU-BLLL-BLLLLLB

You have to keep the tongue against your front plate, and Curt seems to keeps a beat on Benson, who may have already caught on, but for now,

I got a big BLLLLLB...BLL-BLL-BU-BLLL-BLLLLLB

Definitely getting a bit of support among those just staring at their books, or acting like it, although Katrina “HellKat” Yaeger is red in the face and subtly shaking with hysterics but able to conceal it from the front with her paperback.

Each click brings more and more of a make or break, this can't go on forever, but surely not till the next bell, seems at least half a dozen voices strong now, click,

I got a big BLLLLLB...BLL-BLL-BU-BLLL-BLLLLLB

Nick takes a look out the window and chimes in from the side of the mouth this time. After scratching and looking back down he stares up at the front wall, as if deep in thought, about ten feet from the front desk but it's pretty clear Benson is scanning for suspects.

Stockton, cool beans in a buzz cut, all this time sitting back thumbing through some car mag, which tends to direct his voice toward the back where it needs to be.

This is crazy, a bit too crazy, Nick struggles to keep his ears from flushing, click,

I got a big BLLLLLB...BLL-BLL-BU-BLLL-BLLLLLB

"Gentlemen I believe choir auditions were a few months ago, but we can arrange a review if you wish." Benson had been perched on the front desk the past couple rounds glaring before he spoke up.

Well crap.

Stockton turns toward the window and issues a sly grin from the side. It's over. Wayyyy too soon.

Shela...umm, Sheila

Fall 1988

Shela...Shela...she like a hurricane

Shela...Shela...she like a ball and chain

The great lost Aerosmith tune that only rockers know would echo in Nick's chamber whenever her name came up in Mythology class.

He'd taken the class even after Irene briefly freaked out thinking it was a religion thing, no, it's to help you think. Well, okay then. It's offered to the upper two classes only.

She - Sheila, spelled differently than the song - is a senior, just another girl at first who he'd never known about until this class.

She never looks his way but is a pro at being Sheila, her job is to talk to other girls about the things most important to birds of a feather.

She's not a brunette or blond but in between, sandy blond, light brown, always combed and freshly cut, her makeup perfect, she blends in except for some reason. Sheila. Eyes are dark, at least from passing glances. His, not hers.

She doesn't usually wear jeans but those other kinds of pants, with the gathers, always coordinated, as if professionally. Maybe that's another part of her job is to be well put together.

She is mild yet attentive, doesn't draw attention to herself, not intentionally, except for his.

She is a senior and therefore in a different plane of existence – not that Nick hasn’t been around older gals, but it’s in her court to pull him into her world.

She is not thin but not chunky, about five foot six. Sheila.

She is probably really close to her mother.

She might play sports but who knows, of course, that would mean she’d have to be well put together in whatever uniform or gear. Sheila.

Over the decades the movie industry has noted that the classical Greek trials and tribulations lend themselves to features, and teachers, so here and there they spend a couple hours a week watching videos, the lights are down, Nick's mind finds itself on a really soft bed with a really soft Sheila, lying on their sides, he's sliding off her gathered pants and whatever lies beneath is at the ready, Sheila, in a quiet, receptive state, C-cup bosoms in a C-cup bra, and once the set-up is all set up his mind wonders how this could ever come to be.

The problem with physical relations is it generally requires social interaction which in turn requires social ambition. These kinds of notions always start at Point B with the Point A and all in between left as an exercise for the reader, as math texts like to say.

This is near the point in the semester that Nick realizes that mythology class is a lot of memorization of names and facts, despite having the coolest teacher in the building, he finishes with a C and life goes on as Sheila fades into the haze.

Joe's Garage

 Friday Sept 18, 1992

Noreen had stopped by campus and joined some Engineering Tech types for lunch. When she could get Nick alone she pulled a cassette from her purse,

"Play this in headphones when you have a chance to give it full attention, you won't be disappointed."

He agreed and didn't get a look at it till back in his lair, a Maxell 120-minute with a neatly printed label, but not in her hand, ZAPPA - JOE'S GARAGE I, II & III. Somehow he knew this has to be an Arden thing, bespectacled and reserved, handles some of the office stuff for the shop although word has it he's one hell of a welder.

So after supper Nick figures it's a fine time to chill out, tomorrow is busy enough, kill the lights, close the door and let the music do the rest.

He's never heard much of Frank's music save part of an old SNL rerun, lots of jazzy guitar and a big band standing around. One of the 80s metal mags had an interview and showed Frank with a short haircut with milk and cookies, must have been around the time he took on the dumbass PMRC. At that time Zappa seemed too adult so he didn't read the article but it was cool they included him.

The two hours just float by, although not without the sensation he hadn't had in years of being really glad no one else can hear this, damn. Who would have thought to put these kinds of thoughts against groovy music, and that guitar, sometimes it rocks hard, sometimes it just swings, so carefree but seems to have a purpose, like taking a walk in the woods and the trees seem to know things they can't tell you, there will never be an era like this again.

After that's over it's time to pee and might as well try the BBS sites, he's even thought of taking up chess, he wouldn't have to look far for someone to kick his ass at it, gotta start somewhere, as his dad says, it builds character.

The last track, Rosetta, just had to bring up his first, well, some might say conquest, he's still not sure what or whom was conquered that night. Although there was definitely a muffin involved.

Someone had uploaded a new DOS game but it would take longer to pull than he's willing to tie up the line, need to see if the gal wants to ride along tomorrow.

Around 9:30 it seems late enough to catch her, although he secretly hopes for the machine.

Turns out he's in luck, after the beep, in a sinister loud whisper,

"This is the Central....SchrOOOOOtenizer...at this point Joe...I mean, Nick...I mean...this girl is really messing up his head and he needs to know about tomorrow....you know what i mean..."

And then follows that with some improvised jazzy sounds until the machine times out.

About 10 minutes into TNG the phone rings.

"I take it you enjoyed that little excursion?"

"Well I'll never look at artificial life forms the same again."

"I think you better not look at them PERIOD. By the way I had to press my ear against the machine then when you started messing around I jumped a mile, nice going, dipshit."

"We aim to please. So what's the outlook?"

"I'd like to go with you if you can swing by, that library has some neat memories and I wouldn't mind just, you know..."

"Good enough, see you around 8? I can bring some baked goods."

"Honey you're the greatest, I'll make coffee."

Opportunity Sneaks Up

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.