For Frank and Andrea, exam week coincided with their efforts to tie up loose ends in preparation for their return to Transexual. Between trips to campus to administer and grade final exams, they supervised the dismantling of their entire lives on Earth…selling their furniture, cars and anything else of value, then going through the rest of their possessions in order to determine what to discard, what to donate to the Salvation Army, and what to bring to Transexual with them.
By Thursday morning, the apartment was virtually empty, except for their bed and the personal effects they were planning to keep. Frank sat on the floor in the barren living room, ostensibly grading a pile of biochemistry exams, but actually lost in thought. Although he was looking forward to seeing his home planet and loved ones again, there was a sad finality to the emptiness of his surroundings. Certainly not all his time on Earth had been happy; however, the happiest times of his life had been spent here. Fortunately, the person most responsible for that happiness would be accompanying him back home.
Frank's thoughts were interrupted by Andrea, as she walked into the room with her hairbrush in one hand and her briefcase in the other.
"Did you talk to the landlord?"
Frank nodded. "Yes. He was very understanding, once he heard my sob story of needing to return to England unexpectedly to take care of my sick mother. He didn't even penalize us for breaking the lease." He smiled. "He told me how sorry he was to be losing such a nice young couple. If he only knew!"
Andrea looked at him with mock indignation. "Well, we are a nice young couple!"
He grinned. "That may be so, but somehow I think the 'alien' thing would override the 'nice young couple' thing."
Andrea laughed. "I can't disagree with that. By the way, when are you planning to submit your resignation letter?"
Frank shrugged. "Tomorrow, I suppose. I'll have to go to campus anyway to turn in the grades for today's exams – and probably to finish grading them, as far as that goes. I very much doubt I'll finish grading this afternoon's exams tonight.".
"Would you mind submitting mine tomorrow, too? I haven't written it yet, and I don't think I'll have a chance to do it while I'm there. I'm hoping to get this morning's exams graded before I have to leave to meet you at the Denton Arms, so I won't have to go back to campus again tomorrow."
"Certainly. Just leave it to me."
She cocked her head and looked at him. "Speaking of our plans for the evening…are you sure it's a good idea to trick Janet into an encounter with Brad? Do you really think it's smart to involve yourself in their relationship again?
Frank was silent as he considered his response. "Perhaps it isn't. However, I should think the downside risk is fairly minimal, since they're already completely estranged. Besides, it isn't as if Janet hates Brad. She was disenchanted with his behavior during their marriage, but I tend to believe she still has some warm feelings for him. The only real danger is that Brad will expect too much out of this meeting."
Andrea walked over to Frank, knelt down, and kissed him. "Hopefully you're right. I'm off. What time do you want me to meet you?
"I told Brad to be there around 5:00, so that would be a good time for you to show up, as well. I certainly don't plan to stay at the table with Brad and Janet as they have their little heart to heart chat."
She laughed. "Well, that's understandable. Okay, I'll see you then."
After Andrea left, Frank tried to get back to work on the exams. However, his own words were coming back to haunt him. The more he thought about it, the more he feared Brad would, indeed, pin too many hopes on this encounter.
Oh, well, it was too late to turn back now. Brad was, well, a big boy. It was time for him to act like one.
