The press was surprisingly easy to avoid. Jack just ordered more security, and commuted from his apartment to the university on the limo.
He arrived at the university lab intent on explaining to the professor that due to obvious reasons, he would not be enrolling, nor participating in their joint research project.
But he found a black bow atop the entrance to the lab, and his resolve to face the professor vanished.
"Jacob?" asked a voice behind Jack.
He turned around and found the professor carrying a bunch of books and files. He pushed his glasses up, and gave Jack a one armed hug.
"I'm sorry," said Jack, trying to stop himself from crying, and failing. "I…It's just that," he tried to explain that no one called him Jacob anymore. It was always Mr. Spicer this. Mr. Spicer that. And now he was crying because some old man had called him some stupid name that he hated, but that he could hear so clearly in his head with his father's voice.
The professor took him inside before anyone could see him, and made no comments about Jack's tears.
"I've spoken with the headmaster, and you won't have to worry about the press when you come. We're working on securing the campus," he said, pressing a cup of coffee on Jack's hands.
"I…don't think I will be enrolling," said Jack, calming down. "I'm very sorry. I know how important this is, but…My mother has had some health problems, and I have to take over the company."
He got ready for the 'I'm so disappointed in you' lecture. He didn't need it. He had been disappointed in himself ever since he could remember.
"I see…Of course your mother must be your first priority. It is a great sadness, since your father said you were very interested in starting a research project with us."
"He said that?"
"Well, when he called to invite me to the minister's party in Austria a few months ago, he said you were very interested in seeing me. He even sent me the plane ticket to assist."
Jack turned the coffee mug in his hands. The party, of course. His father had gone to collect Jack himself. And that must have been…
Jack put all the dates together, matching all the events. All things considered, the party in Austria had taken place just a couple weeks after his father's second stroke.
And after the party, at the hotel, his father had told him the same thing he had written in his letter.
" Jacob, I have to say, I'm worried about you. You are almost a man and...I just want to know you will be alright."
Jack took out the list of things to do. He had crossed off "Take a decision regarding the management of the company." But he hadn't taken a decision. Not really. He had cornered himself into a decision.
He looked at the last item of the list. "Go on."
"I just want to know you will be alright"