Читать книгу Stewards of the White Circle: Calm Before the Storm - JT MDiv Brewer - Страница 6

Anna Dawn Hamlyn prepared to enter her new apartment, balancing a fully-loaded laundry basket of immaculately folded clothes topped with some twenty plastic hangers, plus an open box of sheet music sitting atop that.

It had been a long two-day drive from Texas to Fort Collins. She was already bushed and there was no one to help her unpack the car and haul her things up to the third floor. So, here she was, arms full of stuff and the key to the apartment lost in her purse.

Biting her tongue to keep from saying something her Aunt Carol wouldn’t have approved of, she leaned against the doorjamb, balancing the laundry pile with one hand while struggling to unzip the purse with the other. A centimeter at a time, the zipper finally slid open and she managed to retrieve the key with two fingers. Now, all she had to do was get the key in the lock.

She readjusted her load once again and made the attempt. At that very moment, her wire-rimmed glasses decided to tilt sideways and a mischievous lock of red hair fell impishly forward, blocking her vision. She tried blowing it away with an impatient “poof,” but it only landed back exactly where it was. Undaunted, she slipped the key into the lock blind, pushed open the door with her hip, and battled her way through the doorway by feel.

“Made it!” she cried triumphantly as she stepped over the threshold. This would have been true, except that the heel of her shoe, in keeping with the insolent nature of the eyeglasses and lock of hair, had to do its part to cause problems. It caught on a braided rug she didn't expect and couldn't see.

She felt herself falling and panic took over. For a moment she successfully counterbalanced, overcorrected, then gravity took over. With a shriek, she went down and everything went with her. She hit the floor hard amidst a cascade of garments, a thunderstorm of hangers and an avalanche of sheet music.

She lay for a moment with her eyes tightly closed, afraid to open them. Other than one elbow shooting sparks hot enough to make her eyes well with tears, she didn't think she was seriously hurt.

“Anna Dawn, you are such a klutz!” she moaned and looked about her in despair. “It’s amazing. You managed to do all this on your first load. Imagine what wondrous feats you can achieve with the next twenty loads waiting for you down in the car!”

She readjusted her glasses on her nose, then, groaning with the effort, pulled herself to her feet to begin bringing order to chaos.

“You're actually very good at putting things in order,” she told herself, cheerfully. “Unfortunately, you're even better at orchestrating disaster. Anna Dawn Hamlyn, you're a paradox, that’s what you are—a Franklin Planner with a paper shredder aptitude. Lord help you.”

Somehow, she got through the next two hours. In that time, despite the unfortunate introduction to her new home, she lugged up seven cardboard boxes, three suitcases, five houseplants and a very large musical instrument case. Then she unpacked her clothes, arranged them in the closet according to color, put away the dinnerware and pots and pans in the cupboards, stacked the canned goods on the shelves according to their food groups, spread a daisy-patterned tablecloth on the kitchen table, and placed a half dozen potted plants around the apartment according to their individual requirements for sunlight. Finally, she attacked the bed, pulling on the sheets, arranging the pillows and centering the bedspread exactly in place. She stood back, smoothed away a last, stubborn wrinkle on the bed, and dusted her hands.

“Perfect,” she said, proudly, “Anna Dawn, welcome to your new home!”

“Yikes,” she exclaimed, glancing at her watch. “It’s two-thirty already! I'm due at the Student Employment Office in an hour.”

Forgetting everything else, she pulled off her clothes, dashed into the shower stall and turned on the water.

For a moment, she stood under the warm, steamy water in total bliss. Then her eyes flew open.

“Oh no,” she groaned, realizing the awful truth; the towels were still in the car.

An hour later, Anna Dawn found herself sitting at the Colorado State University Student Employment Center, dressed, pressed and confident, filling out a job application. The personnel advisor sitting across from the neat, confident-appearing, redheaded girl watched her, never guessing the disheveled appearance of this same person sixty minutes earlier. Everything about the applicant’s grooming and person bespoke an immaculate attention to detail.

The advisor took the finished application from Anna Dawn’s hands and scanned it quickly, turning it from front to back.

“You're from Texas, Ms. Hamlyn?” she asked politely.

“Yes, Carpenter, a small town just outside of San Antonio.” Anna Dawn gave a nervous laugh. “Remember the Alamo!”

“Yes. Indeed. Well, judging by your resume´ and appearance, you give a very fine first impression,” the advisor said, smiling at her encouragingly.

“Thank you,” Anna Dawn blushed.

“Where are you staying, if I may ask?”

“I found an apartment not far from campus.”

“And some nice roommates, I hope?”

“No roommates. Just me and Bowlinda.”

“Bowlinda?” the advisor questioned.

Anna Dawn laughed. “My cello. We’re best friends.”

The advisor nodded. “I see. It says here you type 95 words a minute?”

“That's right,” Anna Dawn said.

“And what would you consider your other strengths?”

“Well, I'm a whiz with a computer. As you can see, I’ve had experience as both a secretary and a receptionist. I'm very organized and neat—you could eat off my desktop—and I enjoy meeting people.”

“Excellent. And your weaknesses?”

Anna Dawn hesitated. “Well, I've been told by my previous roommates I tread a bit too closely to the neatnik edge of sanity.”

The personnel advisor smiled.

“By the way,” Anna Dawn added, “I'm looking for just a part-time position so I can attend school.”

“Of course. Most of our employees here are part-time for the same reason. What are you studying, Ms. Hamlyn?'

“Botany, with a music minor. I'm actually coming here on a music scholarship.”

“Well, that's lovely. Now, as to an opening ... as luck would have it, your timing is impeccable. I received a request from the College of Natural Sciences a few days ago for a part- time secretary. After reviewing the resumes already on file, I was left wanting. And, then, you walked through the door. You have the manner and personality of a good receptionist and the skills of a good secretary. Besides that, you are studying botany, which means you will fit right into the biological science department. All in all, Ms. Hamlyn, you not only seem the best qualified, but I just have a strong feeling you and this job were made for each other. Will you be available to start on Monday?”

Anna Dawn gulped to catch her breath. Life didn't usually hand you a job on a silver platter at the first try. This was a welcome stroke of luck.

She paused, reflecting within a split second how everything seemed to have fallen in place for her since deciding to come to Colorado State University. It was like one of those fate things … meant to be. Then again, Anna Dawn checked herself—she did not believe in fate—luck maybe—but not fate. No predetermined path for her feet! No battling against the gods. Free will and choice were two essential elements of her being. Nevertheless, she was not opposed to taking advantage of a lucky break and this job sounded perfect.

“Oh yes, m'am,” she said enthusiastically. “I can start tomorrow, if you want me.”

“No. Monday will be fine,” the advisor said. “That will give you four days to settle in, get unpacked and get acquainted with the city. I hope you will like Fort Collins.”

“It’s bigger than I expected,” Anna Dawn said. “But I like it. I feel at home here already.”

The advisor folded her hands on her desk and looked kindly at Anna Dawn. “Well then, we will expect you to begin work Monday morning, eight o'clock sharp. You will work in the Department of Biology. Here is a card with the name of the department chair’s secretary and her extension. Report to her in the Biology Building, first floor. I will call her and tell her to be ready to go over the job description with you and take you to your office where you may begin getting things organized. Since summer classes begin in three weeks, I imagine your professor will want you to get right to work.”

“That's great, but who, may I ask, will I be working for?”

The advisor hesitated. “I was just about to tell you that. Actually, your position is a bit unusual. You will be personal secretary to a professor who is very special. We don’t usually assign personal secretaries to our faculty. The best they can hope for is a graduate assistant. But in this case, at the dean’s insistence, we’re making an exception. Your man is new to our faculty this year and a bit of a celebrity, they tell me. His name is Dr. James Omega.”

Anna Dawn's purse fell off her lap. She leaned over, picking it up with shaking hands. “Not the Dr. James Omega, the James Omega on PBS?”

“The same.”

“My gosh. He's a professor here? You're kidding.”

“No, I'm not.”

Anna Dawn pushed up her glasses. “Wow. I mean, wow! I can't believe it. This is unreal!”

“No, Ms. Hamlyn,” the advisor said with a smile. She stood to bend over the table and offer a parting handshake, “This is one hundred percent real, believe me. And now I must mention, there are some very specific instructions I need to give you. Dr. Omega’s presence on the campus is, for the time being, to remain a secret from the world outside the campus. Dean Hyden said Dr. Omega’s been terribly harassed by people at his previous post—I suppose that’s the price you pay for fame—anyway, the Doctor insists on his privacy. Thus, part of your job will be to ward off outsiders; and that goes especially for anyone from the media. Screen all his calls carefully. If they are not directly related to his work here at CSU, do NOT connect any such callers with Omega directly. Do what you must, but DO NOT do or say anything that might reveal the nature of his research or even the fact that he is a member of the faculty here. If anyone outside the university calls for him, say, “One moment, please,” then transfer them to Dr. Annie Groff’s secretary without further explanation or comment. Do you understand?”

“Sure. No problem,” Anna Dawn responded, taking on a wide-eyed expression. “Sounds very intriguing.”

“As his personal secretary, you are to do what Dr. Omega asks you to do and protect his privacy as the situation arises. Do you think you can handle that?”

Yes.” Anna Dawn nodded confidently. “Certainly. I can handle that.”

“Very well. That is all,” the advisor concluded, placing Anna Dawn’s application to the side of her desk. Then, as an afterthought she looked up at Anna Dawn and added, “For your sake, I hope he's a nice boss and not, as some celebrities are, a conceited schmerk. Good luck, Ms. Hamlyn.”

Anna Dawn smiled slightly, rose from the chair, thanked the secretary, then turned and walked somewhat dazedly out the door and down the hall.

“Schmerk?” she questioned, as she tapped the elevator button. “I don’t think so. Dr. Omega seems so nice on TV. I can’t imagine he’s a schmerk.” She stepped inside when the elevator opened. As there was no one but herself in the car, she continued to talk to herself during the ride down to the lobby.

“Aunt Carol, can you believe this?” she beamed to an unseen party. “I’m really here, at CSU and I’m going to be James Omega's secretary! The real James Omega! And I’m supposed to protect him. What do you think that’s all about? The way I see it, this is either going to be one extremely interesting job, or the total pits. But at least I’ve got a job. One less thing to worry about. But there’s still a hundred things to do! Keep an eye on me, will you? I love you.”

That night, a breath of cool wind from the west came up, found the open window in Anna Dawn’s new kitchen and ruffled the freshly-ironed curtains hanging there. Anna Dawn turned from where she sat at the kitchen table and looked at them. It was as if something was out there, something new and tantalizing, calling to her. She got up, stepped to the window and looked out. Her apartment stood on a little rise and the third floor window allowed her a partial view of the far-spread lights of Fort Collins. In the pale moonlight she could see the outline of low mountains in one direction and a carpet of tree tops in the other.

From the window, Anna turned and looked across the kitchen into the living room, where Bowlinda the cello was propped in a nearby corner.

“How about pizza, tonight?” she asked her silent, stringed friend.

She pulled a Fort Collins phone book off the top of the fridge and began to thumb through the yellow pages. Her finger stopped on the first Pizza Hut she came to. Then her heart caught in her throat. Under her finger was a line of print revealing the Pizza Hut’s address.

“This is too much!” she cried, a little spooked. She turned to her cello. “Bowlinda, you are NOT going to believe this! 1509 Omega Place Plaza! Wow. It’s like a sign. Everything that’s meant to be makes a circle. If it’s right, all the loose ends fit together in the end. I feel good now. In place. I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

Shaking her head, still somewhat amazed, she made the call, ordering a medium, deep-pan mushroom-pepperoni and a two quart bottle of root beer for delivery.

She put down the receiver and again returned to stand at the window, her thoughts turning over again and again how she had come to be here, all the way to Colorado, to this particular university. Her Aunt Carol’s recent death was a great loss and yet it proved to be a blessing. Who would have thought her old-maid aunt’s executor would appear from out of nowhere and present Anna Dawn at the gravesite with proceeds from an insurance policy that she didn’t even know existed. $40,000 wasn’t a fortune, but enough to get her out of the small university where she was piece-mealing together an Associate’s degree and into a quality university for her Bachelors. No, not a fortune, but enough to give her a chance. Enough to maybe make a few dreams come true.

Still, who would have ever thought she, a Texan, born and bred, would end up here, in the Rockies of Colorado? With her inheritance, she could have chosen to go to college anywhere in her home state. But Anna Dawn wanted a fresh start. It was time for something different.

For several weeks over the past months, she had explored the websites of many different colleges, being especially interested to find one where botany and music, her two great loves, could matriculate hand in hand with best advantage to both. She selected seven or eight possibilities and submitted requests for more detailed information.

As soon as the packet about Colorado State University in Fort Collins arrived, three things immediately caught her eye. One was that a top cellist, retired from the New York Symphony Orchestra, was on the music faculty. The second was that the botany and agricultural departments were ranked among the best in the country. But the clincher was the front cover of CSU’s packet. It showed, simply, a shot of the garden in front of the University Arts Center. Anna Dawn fairly gawked when she saw it. It was beautiful and stirred her botanist soul. The colorful array fairly shouted to her that Colorado State University was where she was supposed to be for the next two years.

Anna Dawn Hamlyn was not a person easily swayed nor one to make up her mind quickly. She continued to go over all the other possible choices for several weeks, but the initial feeling about CSU did not subside. In fact, it grew stronger. At last, Anna Dawn concluded there must be a reason she felt so good about this choice and gave in. She applied, was accepted and even given a scholarship. The next thing she knew, she was packed and on her way to Colorado.

Now, here she was, settled in with a nice apartment, her studies all paid for and a secretarial job to boot. Who could ask for more? Why then, did Anna Dawn harbor mixed feelings as she gazed out the window at the lights of Fort Collins? Excitement was there, surely, mostly for her forthcoming courses of study. Wouldn’t it be grand to study cello under a master? And she could hardly wait to delve into the classes on botany! Perhaps, then, it was the new job with James Omega that had her on edge. She didn’t know why, but there was something disquieting about it; something that set off an uneasy, tingly feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“I’ll be the best secretary he ever had,” she promised herself aloud, convincing herself she had nothing to fear. “After one week, James Omega won’t know what he ever did without me!”

Except for the rustling curtains lifted by the wind, nothing replied to her comment. The apartment was much too quiet and the pizza was taking forever.

Anna Dawn reached for her cello and pulled a kitchen chair to the small wooden deck set outside a pair of sliding glass doors in the living room. The wind at the window now sought her hair and teased it against her face.

Anna Dawn paid it no mind. She settled on the chair and set the instrument in its familiar position between her knees. Gently, lovingly, she wrapped her arms around its body and caressed it with the bow. The cello sang back to her with a low alto voice, responding to every nuance of her fingers. She closed her eyes and let it sing.

A new home. A new beginning. The grief and loneliness of losing Aunt Carol and leaving behind all she had ever known would surely pass with time. She would not allow herself to feel alone anymore! She would be happy here! Happiness, after all, was a decision. This was the beginning of a new life, and she would make sure it was everything she wanted! Apart from a little, nagging tingle that erupted whenever she thought about her new boss, everything seemed peaceful and right.

Anna Dawn bowed and swayed, her fingers dancing. Her music rose and fell with the night wind at the curtains and floated upward to the stars.

Dr. James Omega requested only a modest office. He said he did not want to make waves by pushing anyone out of the offices they were used to and he wished to minimize in any way drawing attention to his arrival at CSU. However, he did insist, to the woman in the administration office who arranged such things, on an efficient, part-time, secretary and at least one window.

“That's no problem, Dr. Omega,” she said with the words from President Hewitt, Give him whatever he asks for!, still ringing in her ears from a phone call that morning. “We have a nice office, with a window overlooking the quad, just waiting for your name on the door.”

Omega's first day on the Colorado State campus as an official member of the faculty was one of the last few days of spring term. Carrying only a briefcase, he headed hesitantly along one of the walks that dissected the greens. He found himself caught in an onslaught of students scurrying out of the surrounding buildings in a frantic pace to get to the next class. Omega paused, letting the flood pass as his eyes surveyed the unfamiliar domain. A few students looked at him with a hint of recognition, but either they did not believe their eyes or they were too shy to stop and say anything.

Omega drew in a breath of anticipation and began a brisk pace toward his destination, thinking how much he loved biology buildings. He loved the laboratories smelling of chemicals, the foyers displaying prehistoric skeletons, the inevitable menagerie of stuffed animal life and, most of all, the lecture halls filled with students. He felt comfortable in biology buildings, and stimulated and alive. He had been in many and, just like people, each one seemed to have its own personality. This particular building was cream-colored brick, four stories high, with white-framed windows. It looked like it meant business.

He looked up at the edifice with reverence. James, old boy, welcome to your new home. He paused, taking in the moment, squinting into the bright sun, then squared his shoulders to the task and hurried up the front steps with long, eager strides.

He entered the building and, giving the elevator only a passing glance, climbed the stairs at a brisk pace. There were three sets of stairs, each with twenty-four steps (he counted, taking them two at a time on his way up); but it was actually a short climb for him. He arrived at the top of the fourth floor landing with a spring in his step and even breath, a feat many of the students themselves could not have managed.

He found himself looking down a hall on his right, which he followed to its very end until he came to a halt before a heavy, dark-stained wooden door.

“415...,” he read the stenciled numbers on the door aloud. Moving his eyes to a 3 X 5 card taped below the number, he noted a sign, written neatly with black marker:

Dr. James Omega

Biology

“This must be it,” he said, and opened the door.

The space that greeted him was divided into two offices, the rearward being the larger of the two. This room's walls were lined with shelves—all filled with stacks of books and various pieces of equipment. Central in the room was a reception desk, upon which sat a running computer, a meticulously organized stack of papers and, Omega noticed, a small bouquet of fresh lilacs sitting in a glass of water. The secretary, herself, however, was not to be seen.

“Judging from her desk, I believe I got a good one,” he mused aloud. “Lady Joy would approve of her on the basis of the lilacs alone.”

In the back corner was a second office, separated from the front area by a door, which was open. From what he could see, it was nicer than the outer room and likely meant to be his own. He caught a glimpse of somebody moving about, so he called out, “Hello? Anybody here?”

In response, a young woman bustled out and, seeing him, gave a little gasp and took up a hasty position behind the reception desk. “Dr. Omega…, sir!” she said, struggling to sound business-like and hide her excitement. “I'm Anna Dawn Hamlyn, your secretary.”

Omega discreetly looked her over and liked what he saw. She was a petite young woman, with long hair the color of burnished copper plaited into a braid behind her slender neck. She cocked her head at him as she awaited his reply, her blue eyes bright behind a pair of square, wire-rimmed eyeglasses.

Perky, intelligent, orderly, and a redhead—what more could I ask for? “How nice to meet you,” Omega said, extending a hand. “There is no need to ‘sir’ me. You will find I am not much on formalities. I gather I am where I am supposed to be?”

“You certainly are. Did you have trouble finding it?”

“Not too much.”

“I'm new here myself. Don't ask me where anywhere else is or I might get you lost!”

“You are new at CSU, then... a freshman?”

“No, I’m a junior. I just transferred here with an Associate’s degree from out of state. Well, anyway ... welcome!”

Omega received a most enthusiastic handshake from across the desk. “I've been trying to get things ready for you,” she went on. “I wanted everything to be perfect. I was just now dusting your office and cleaning off your shelves. I hope you'll be satisfied with my work, sir ... I mean … what would you like me to call you?”

“James?”

“That's a bit of a stretch for me.” Anna Dawn said, shaking her head. “After all, you are famous, as well as my boss.”

“Dr. Omega will do then, until you feel more comfortable around me.” He grinned. “Trust me. The famous part will wear off right away.”

She seemed to relax a little. “Well, Dr. Omega, this...” she turned and gestured to the back room, "this is your office, in here."

He followed her inside. “Very nice,” he said. “Quite cozy.” Omega entered the small space and looked around.

“I'm sorry it's so small. I'm to tell you a larger office is being painted and will be available for you within a week or two in another building. They’re making a metal plate with your name on it for the door....”

“No, no. This is fine, really. I like it,” Omega said, walking to the back of the desk. He settled into the brown leather swivel chair. “Very compact. And exceptionally neat, thanks to you. You have done a great job in getting it ready for me, Miss Hamlyn.”

His secretary cleared her throat. “Actually, I prefer Ms. Hamlyn to Miss Hamlyn. But I'm not much on formalities either. Why don't you just call me Anna Dawn?”

She’s not afraid to clarify what she wants, a useful trait in a secretary, Omega thought approvingly. “Certainly, Anna Dawn. I am sure we will get along just fine.”

“Well, then,” the young woman said, backing toward the door, “I'll be at my desk if you need anything.”

He watched her leave, shutting the door behind her. In a few moments, sounds of vigorous typing commenced. Anna Dawn. Lovely girl. No doubt we will soon be friends.

Omega put his briefcase on the floor, leaned back in the chair, hands behind his back, and slowly appraised his new quarters. Spartanly furnished with a desk, swivel chair, one floor to ceiling bookcase, two guest chairs and a work bench, the office had little to offer except for the required window. But that was all right. It was a welcome relief from the flashy, over-dressed suite he gratefully left behind in Chicago. All he really wanted, what he hungered for, was privacy; some time and space to concentrate on the great task before him, the purpose that compelled him to come to Colorado State University.

Yes, he liked his new office very much. It was perfect. Unconsciously, he began humming a little of the tune, “Be it ever so humble...,” a contented smile spreading on his face.

He thought back to the interview with the Selection Committee. His fore knowledge of the committee’s decision was based on much experience and insight into the minds of professional educators. In the winding labyrinth of his many paths, he had changed jobs frequently and been interviewed by people much like these. He liked Derk Long and Juliet Marsh, and Annie Groff was a special pleasure. Frank Curnow, however, would be one to keep his eyes on. It wasn't difficult to see shrewdness in the man, nor sense his distrust. Omega had learned from experience to tread lightly around such people. Snakes like this had bitten him before.

For the past seven years, the world had beaten a path to James Omega's door; and the University of Chicago wanted the world to go away impressed. But here, he hoped, it would be different. He had his fill of show and trivialities. Here, in this little Colorado town, in this office, in this simple space, was more than enough room for his needs. Besides, he had his window.

Omega rose and went over to look out. It provided a bird’s-eye view of the busy ramblings of students below. Better still, above the campus rooftops stretched a big, bright sky, uncluttered with smog and skyscrapers; and, in the distance off to the west was a line of low mountains. Yes, it would do. It would do nicely.

He wasn't planning to spend much time in his office, anyway. He would be out in nature as always and, when he was on campus, most of his attention would be centered on his students—one, in particular, although he did not yet know who that one was.

The old biologist rose and, leaning his elbows on the windowsill, looked down upon the campus. Students filed along both sides of the sidewalks, moving in opposite directions.

Busy as ants on a scent trail, he mused, touching the window glass with his finger, as if tracing their movements. But it is I who must find the trail now—-I who am the seeker. The Shepherd must be found and quickly! All my labors depend on it.