Starry, Starry Night
Numb3rs dot Org 15 Minute Prompt: Memory/Memories
Numb3rs100 Prompt: 17 - In Another World
Word Count: 423
Time: 29 minutes
Author's Warning: ANGST!
Author's Note: Not sure I even want to know where this came from.
The butterflies in Charlie Eppes' stomach were trying their hardest to push his lunch back up his esophagus.
He took a deep breath. He'd faced hostile audiences before, this should be easy, right?
He pushed through the unlocked door. Professor Larry Fleinhardt was sitting at a desk that had been pushed as close to the window as the stacks of books and papers would permit. On his desk were a computer monitor and an open book.
Charlie paused uncertainly. The older man looked up and smiled, sparing Charlie from having to come up with an opening line.
"Oh, good day. Come here a moment."
Beckoned forward, Charlie moved closer.
"Do you know that this is?"
Charlie's gaze followed the pointing finger to the monitor. "Um, yeah, that's a view from the telescopes at Mt. Teide in the Canary Islands. You can look at the view over the internet… well, you can buy time so you can look through the telescopes over the internet."
This earned him a smile that was brighter than the stars. "Excellent!" He picked up the book and held it out. "And this?"
Charlie looked down. "Starry night, by Vincent Van Gogh?" He squinted. "Wait…"
"That's actually an earlier work," he was informed. "Starry Night Over the Rhone River."
"Oh."
"The picture you're thinking of is on the previous page."
Automatically, Charlie flipped the page. "Nice," he said, feeling rather lame.
This earned him another bright smile. "Do you know what these pictures have in common with the view on my computer monitor?"
"Um, stars?"
This earned a laugh. "Yes, indeed. Also my true, if elusive love."
"Elusive?"
"Alas, yes, my young friend. Elusive because I shall never get closer than these images." The blond curls bounced as the older man shook his head. "But you didn't come here to listen to my ramblings… ah?"
"Charlie Eppes."
"Ah, yes, the prodigy! Princeton is quite blessed to attract such minds as yours."
"And yours," Charlie replied wistfully.
"I wish I could say that," was his reply. "So, tell me about yourself?"
Charlie left as soon as courtesy allowed. He walked out into the sunshine and over to the bench where is father was waiting.
"Well?" Alan took one look at Charlie's expression. "That bad?"
"He didn't even recognize me, Dad," Charlie said mournfully. "I had to introduce myself… again."
Alan squeezed his shoulder. "Well, Megan says that they're going to start a new treatment next week. We can keep hoping."
Charlie nodded, but could find no words to express his feelings.