The Lecture: Chapter 2

How many times? How often had her hopes and prayers been dashed? She knew it could not be him, knew it with every bit of logic and reason her mind possessed. She had to know it, after all the lectures, advice and counseling she had endured over the years. He was dead. He had to be dead. The blood on her cheek and chest, the explosion, had all screamed he was dead. She had finally agreed with family, friends, and counselors that yes, he was gone, while her heart silently screamed NO. The admission, however, had allowed them all to leave her alone, to assure themselves that she was recovering; all the while her hidden heart whimpered a denial.

Now, this small forlorn hope had the power to shock her into her chair. She had to follow them, but her weakened legs were not obeying. She could only sit, stunned.

"Get up, follow them"

"I can't. I can't, he's dead, I can't."

"If you don't, you'll never know."

"I know now. They couldn't all be wrong; they wouldn't all lie to me."

"You know he's not dead, deep where it counts, if the whole world is wrong, that doesn't make you less right, get up."

"I can't, it hurts too much when he's not there."

"Will it hurt any less, if you don't know?"

"All right, I've got to know."

Finally standing, she searched for the departed duo. There they were, just exiting the building. Two brunette women, with backpacks, wearing jeans. Walking swiftly, (don't run, don't frighten them) she reached the exit, and down the steps. Which way, which way, there, walking toward the dorms. Just a little bit and she could ask, be assured that what she knew was right.

Where were they…NO, nooo, don't get in a car and leave.

Speeding up she managed to get to the driver's side, just as the engine turned over. She tapped on the window, trying hard not to look as desperate as she felt.

"Excuse me, excuse me."

The window came down, "Can I help you?"

"I couldn't help but overhear part of your conversation back there, and I was wondering if you could tell me a little more. You see, at one time I was heavily into the martial arts."

The driver looked puzzled. "Martial arts? I'm sorry, but I don't know any…"

"Weren't you just talking about a lecture on the martial arts? Something about monkey power?"

"No, but it sounds a hoot, are they letting the nuts hire halls again?"

(Wrong girls, I followed the wrong girls) "I'm not sure about that, but I apologize for bothering you, it must have been someone else."

"No problem, if I had more time I might look into it. Well, see you."

She stepped back so the car could pull out. The passenger gave her a little wave as they left.

A rush of despair struck her. What could she do now, try to find two girls whose faces she hadn't seen in a campus of twenty thousand plus? There had to be some way. A lecture being given on campus had to be announced somewhere?

XXXXXXX

Her feet hurt. The heels she had put on that morning to compliment her suit may have been stylish, but they really weren't made for hiking all over the campus. She had drawn a blank at the karate and judo clubs, exchanging promises to share information if either came up with more information. Student services knew nothing. The humanities department almost laughed, but denied any knowledge. The scheduling desk would only state that that wasn't their job, not their department.

The secretary to the Dean of student services was her last hope, she could not think of another place she could go.

"Yes, ma'am, there is such a lecture scheduled."

She almost collapsed into the offered chair.

"How did you find out about it? We haven't even announced it yet."

"I accidentally overheard some students talking about it."

The secretary smiled, "Well, I'm happy to hear the grapevine still works as well as it did when I was an undergrad. As an instructor, even only part time, you would have received a notice in your interdepartmental box latter this week."

"Can you tell me anything about the lecture?"

"Certainly," removing a folder from the files, "first, it is not A lecture, but a series of six. The speaker is a mister, ummmm, this can't be right, can it? They must mean Mr. Chosen; I'll have to correct that."

"What does it say on that original?"

"It says 'The Chosen One", but that can't be right."

"That's the only name given?"

"That's all; it says "The Chosen One' and assistants."

"Well," she began, "could you give me his address so I could welcome him? I've studied many of the disciplines and I might know him if I saw him. You see, the Chosen may just be a title."

"I'm very sorry, truly, but I can't give out that information. I could send a note to him that you would like to meet." The secretary offered helpfully.

"Let me think about that, if it is who I think, I might want to surprise him. Old friends, you know."

"Of course, if you change your mind, do let me know."

"I will," standing to leave, "oh, do you have any pictures?"

"No, sorry, says on the file he prohibited any photos."

"That seems a little strange."

"True, but since he donated his honorarium back to the college, I suppose they were happy to do it."

"Makes sense, well, thanks again." She stepped out.

"Coward, you could have known."

"I can't, I have to see him first. Leave me a little hope."

"Think you can wait a week?"

"Who says we have to wait."