What We Least Expect…
She was a popular professor. According to her students she made Physics fun and interesting. She always had time to help the students and her fellow professors. And yet, no one knew her. She was an enigma. Oh they knew the basics – she was intelligent, she had a number of degrees under belt, and she had written a couple of books and articles. Not to mention the awards she won for her work in the scientific community.
About her personally? They knew she ran every morning at 6 am. She ran like there was something chasing her, and she couldn't get away. They knew that sometimes she'd get a faraway look in her eyes. If asked about it, she would turn away and quietly answer that it was personal. They knew that she looked sad, even when she smiled. Her eyes gave it away. They also knew that on November 3rd, she would cancel her classes and leave town. No one would be able to get in touch wither. Email, phone calls, and texts went unanswered. Everyone knew she left, but no one knew where she went. They just knew that she would show up the next day – same as usual. Few people asked where she went and she would always reply with "It's personal". Then she would excuse herself.
She didn't seem to have a lot of friends. In fact, none of the other professors had ever been inside her house. Whenever someone saw her, she was alone. They knew she wasn't seeing anyone, since she only bought enough groceries for one. That information was gleaned from a student of hers who worked at the grocery store. Yet for all they knew, there was still so much mystery surrounding her. Because of this, they were curious and speculation abounded.
What they didn't know, was that today, would bring new insight into her life. But that insight would leave them with more questions than answers.
Sam Carter sat alone at her cafeteria table, no-so-fully absorbed in the latest astrophysics journal. Most of the ideas were false and she had to force herself from laughing aloud at their backwards thinking. Yet, no matter how ridiculous the theories, she still had to keep updated on them. All of a sudden, she heard the cafeteria get suspiciously quiet. While her curiosity was aroused, she didn't bother to look up. Sam figured it was going to be another singing telegram asking a girl to forgive some guy for whatever had occurred over the weekend. Instead she heard a familiar thump of army issued boots, heading in her direction. She was sure that this would be like all the others, so she kept her face carefully blank as they came closer. Sam could feel all in the cafeteria turn their eyes towards her. Stealing herself, she waited until the men were in front of her, before lifting her head.
"Colonel Carter." One said, as both saluted. He had invested all of his awe and feeling of privilege at standing before such a legend.
"Retired gentlemen," she replied without bothering to salute back. In fact, her tone held an ironic tone. Meanwhile, the whole cafeteria watched on with fascinated looks on their faces.
"Ma'am. This is a special request from the President. We are to wait for you to gather your belongings and bring you to the airport where a plane is waiting". He said, placing a very official looking piece of paper on her table.
Sam slowly stood up. She picked up the tray and her book. She looked at the soldiers and said, "Tell Kinsey, no!" Then she walked past them, placed her tray in the bin and walked out. The soldiers looked at the piece of paper that laid unopened on the table then at each other. One picked it up and they walked out. In their wake, the cafeteria erupted in conversation.
