Chapter 8

Larry tried Charlie's cell phone for the tenth time. They were supposed to have met at nine, which was an hour ago. He knows that Charlie has a tendency to get lost in his math world but this was ridiculous. He tried one more time before getting out of the car. He hoped he wasn't going to bother anyone. He reached the door, and rang the bell

"Larry" Alan said semi-surprised to see him

"Hello Alan, is Charlie at home? We were supposed to meet at nine for breakfast and he's not answering his cell phone"

"Yes I know. Maybe you can get through to him" Alan told Larry inviting him in

"What are you talking about?" Larry asked quite confused. Who better to get through to someone then his or her own father?

"Charlie's been in the garage since his dinner with Amita two days ago"

Oh no he's working on P vs. NP again…I wonder what happened last night "What happened?" Larry asked casting a nervous glance at the back door, which leads to the garage

"I don't know. He came home and we asked how dinner went. He looked at us with unshed tears shining in his eyes so I knew something was wrong. Don asked what was wrong but he just said he didn't want to talk he had to work on something for a new consult he got. When he headed to the garage we knew what he was going to do. He's only come in twice, that I know of, to use the bathroom and he hasn't eaten anything to my knowledge"

"You want me to talk to him?" Larry asked hesitatingly. This was not really his area of expertise. He's helped Charlie with problems but talking him out of P Vs. NP? He's seen him retreat into this before and he highly doubted that he would be the one to talk him out

"Would you? I don't know how much more luck you'll have but its worth a try. Right?"

"Right. Out the back door?" Larry said rising. He knows how to get to the garage he was just stalling, trying to think of something to say

"Yes. Oh and Larry will you take him the sandwich on the counter?"

"Sure" Larry said walking to the kitchen and picking up the sandwich. He got to the door and hesitated

"Larry?" Alan called out

"Yes?"

"Thank you"

Larry just smiled and walked out the door.

Sorry I know it's another short one but its because I was debating between two short ones and one long one and the census said 2 short, but I'm writing the other short one write now, I just had to post this one first