Page 3 of Trusting His Heart
Not a moment too soon
If the cab didn’t arrive in the next five minutes, he would find it impossible to get to the airport, clear customs and escape back home.
Two weeks of dinners celebrating the last ten years of his work. Toasts by former students, now accomplished academics and business people in their own right.
In truth, he never considered his impact on others. Yet in speech after speech, he heard a consistent theme. In his grief and anger, he inspired his students to rise to the challenges he set. The more impossible the task, the more they thought he believed in them.
He considered himself an uncaring jerk. They remembered him as a wonderful teacher and mentor.
For the last week, he joined Professor David at the lake house. Surprisingly, they remained in touch over the years, always around 14 December, the anniversary of Rachel’s death. There would be the occasional phone call, usually a message on Geoffrey’s answering machine.
Seven days of fishing and drinking.
“She would kick your butt if she saw you now.” Trapped in a small boat on the lake, drunk and now the normally quiet oncologist was full of unsolicited advice.
“You don’t know what you are talking about.”
“If she saw you, one stupid blonde on your arm after another, she would kick your butt.”
“They aren’t all blonde.”
“But they are stupid.”
“If they are in my class, they are not stupid. Have another drink and shut up.” Geoffrey threw another bottle of beer at his friend.
The two friends sat and drank, each holding their own silent counsel.
Every year, Geoffrey chose one student. Usually a blonde, but there was a smattering of brunettes as well. Typically, a girl away from home who needed help finding her feet in university life.
“I’m not a bastard. They know what they are getting into – and I make sure they are completely satisfied.”
“You dump them after a year – how can they be satisfied?”
“I never make them promises. My money buys gifts instead of stupid words of love.”
“And then what?”
“I point out they deserve someone closer to their own age – remind them they deserve someone who can love and appreciate them.”
“Don’t tell me they fall for that old line?”
“It gets better,” Geoffrey chuckled, “I tell them I’m too old to change, but if ever I thought it possible, they would be the one.”
Prof wouldn’t believe if he admitted to having ongoing friendships and even collaborated on research papers with some former lovers.
Without love complicating the relationships, he found it easy to become friends.
They sat again, waiting for the non-existent fish to bite.
“As a friend, you are never going to find another Rachel in your class.” Professor David broke the silence with unsolicited common sense.
“Mate, you don’t know jack shit about my love life, so let it drop.”
“Rachel loved you, and you loved Rachel. You wanted her to live and she wanted you to have a life. Did you ever read her letter?”
“I said drop it.”
“Did you ever read it?”