21- New Beginnings… chapter twenty-one

Lynn sat back in her seat looking at the decimated lobster carcass on her plate, "guess I should hit the ladies room and clean myself up. Buttery fingers, butter down my chin….. some things are just too yummy to eat in public, but to be honest, think I would have a hard time pitching a live lobster in a stewpot. I remember my dad took me to a little hole in the wall local place in Baltimore. They had old wood picnic tables, a piano, and drums for anyone moved to make music, put newspaper down on the table when they brought your order of crabs that came right out of the Chesapeake Bay all hot and steamy with a cup holding a little hammer and other utensils, and a big bowl of seasoned butter. I don't care what anyone says about Boston- very best sea food is in Baltimore."

Walter had sat back to watch her battle with the lobster. "I must say, I never saw anyone get into their meal with such gusto as you and that lobster. Was thinking of giving you a hand with it- afraid some was going to squirt out onto the floor from your buttery fingers, but you managed to conquer it in the end- do think it was touch and go for a while on who would win."

"Very funny, Walter. As always you come off as cool, cosmopolitan sophisticate compared to a savage primitive fighting with their chow," Lynn, rising from the table said with a smile. "Think I will go wash up in the ladies room and be more presentable." She left for the ladies room to clean herself up.

Walter smiled watching her leave the table. He also noticed a couple men at tables she made her way around give her appraising looks which caused him to frown thinking of her and the other two girls with her held captive and so horrendously abused. Lynn and Anna survived such trauma- strong personalities to endure and live life and look to the future. Anna having found a good man and having children, can't get any more into looking to the future than having children. And Lynn- seriously looking to the future of space exploration….. remarkable resilience.

Lynn returned to the table and Walter looked up at her with a smile.

"What you thinking about? Coming back to the table you looked in deep thought. Something serious?"

"Nothing serious, thinking of future endeavors like the orbiter."

"You don't find the future serious?" Lynn asked. "For someone who is on the forefront and so heavily involved with Richard's space projects I would think you would consider it a very serious topic."

"When steeped in the issue every day, the seriousness tends to taper off into the daily tasks of getting from point A to point B to further the project along. Hard to explain so maybe I am not getting the idea across. There are times when the enormity of the task can be overwhelming so needs to be pared down to smaller sections to get through," Walter said. "Am I making sense?"

"Yes, I guess. To make a skyscraper, once the idea popped into some persons head, the design made, but the actual build- gotta' start at the bottom, the not romantic bits of digging in the dirt, pouring the concrete base no one will ever see before the grand edifice can even be started. That what you mean?"

"You do understand, so guess I did make sense."

"Tell me something, Walter. Do you ever think of how you will be seen by historians?"

Walter laughed, "you will never cease to amaze me, Lynn. You persist in popping up with things I never have thought about. No, never thought how historians would view me, if they even do. I am just one of a long, long chain of people from cave days to present who have furthered man's knowledge, one little step at a time, building on what others postulated; just one in a vast crowd helping the sciences get a bit more sophisticated through the generations."

Lynn looked at him, "and you, Walter, will never cease to amaze me. Shall we head on out?"

The waiter brought the tab and Walter handed him his credit card. Waiting for the waiter's return, "so what is it I amaze you with? I certainly don't pop up with outlandish ideas, strange opinions, just everyday facts and figures so very mundane."

"Oh Walter, you are one very funny man, indeed."

The waiter returned Walter's credit card and they rose to leave. Walter opened the driver door for Lynn to get in then got in the passenger side putting his cane on the back seat. "Lovely night, nice and clear, turn on the heater and let's go for a drive," Walter suggested as he bucked up. "This thing have a functional heater?"

"Of course it has a heater!" Lynn said indignantly as she started the car. "And everything on this car functions, I'll have you know, even the original AM/FM radio. As the saying goes, this was built when cars were made to last. And don't be carping at me about my old car or I will beat you about the head and shoulders severely with your own cane. Scheesch, no respect for a classic."

Twenty minutes outside the city and at fourteen hundred foot elevation, Lynn pull over at a vista point. "How about a view of the city where you can't see the trash blowing around, the dried out weeds, and dirty exhaust on the buildings. Don't think I have ever stopped in here when there was anyone else around," Lynn said getting out to walk to the rail.

"Must have come here between times I used to stop here before the Datsun got bopped and totaled," Walter said joining her. "Brought a small telescope sometimes, but would just stop to get distance from things to think."

"And what kind of earth shattering issues did you contemplate while up here at a distance from things?" Lynn asked turning to lean on the rail.

Walter chuckled, "nothing earth shattering, just more of those mundane facts and figures. And what did you think of when you came up here- often enough to know people don't frequent the place- at night, anyway."

"I didn't come here to think, I came for the lovely view. Come on, I was thinking a chess game but it is too late now, so let's get going." They returned to the car, and headed for Lynn's townhouse. Pulling into the garage Lynn opened the trunk so Walter could get his duffle and laptop and went in, she turning on lights as she led the way to the guest room. "Sleep as late as you want. I will be in pie making mode so you may wake up to the wonderful smell of baking apples. Good night, Walter, sleep well."

"Good night, Lynn," Walter said entering the guest room and closing the door. Putting his duffle on the chair he pulled out clean boxers and t-shirt, shaving kit, toothbrush and paste then went in to take a shower. Getting out of the shower and drying off he brushed his teeth then ran his hand over his chin. "Getting a bit scruffy there, old fart," he mumbled to himself, looking closely at the mirror he snorted- "no gray hair, yet," so shaved now rather than in the morning. Running the towel once more over his drying hair, he combed it. "Getting a bit long- be longer if not curly," he said to his reflection. Pulled on his boxers and t-shirt and, opening the door, turned off the bathroom light and went to bed. Laying there stretched out his back relaxed and ribs felt well enough to have left the wrap off for the night. In time he dozed off then fell into a deep sleep.

Monday morning Walter awoke to the sound of pots and pans being rattled. Did not smell baking apples but he did get a whiff of coffee. He got up, used the bathroom, brushed his teeth and got dressed to head to the kitchen. "Smell coffee not baking apples."

Lynn turned from the sink, "good morning. Cups in that cabinet, serve yourself. Breakfast needed to be made before the baking starts. Pull up a stool at the counter, will serve it up in a few minutes. Did you sleep OK?"

"Yes, surprisingly well given the strange surroundings," Walter said getting a cup and pouring himself a coffee to sit at the counter. "It is quite quiet here- I am more used to the occasional noise of a car passing, sirens, the usual big city symphony of sounds- flapping of pigeons, sea gulls calling, feral cats yowling."

"We get some critters cruising through- 'possums, skunk once in a while, raccoon, a coyote once in a blue moon, rare but at times. Had to get people to quit leaving pet food outside. And the goofballs that leave food out for the feral cats around here. People trap them take them in to get neutered then bring them back. Nothing worse than a male cat spraying on the door, ugh. A street over some people's dog got hold of a skunk- was a Jack Russel terrier and getting skunk sprayed did not even slow it down. Tore that poor skunk to pieces- took a week or more for the stink to dissipate- the dog was outside for some time, too. See how good you have it to not have neighbors?" Lynn plopped the scrambled eggs on a plate, forked a couple sausage links to the side and handed the plate to Walter. "Toast coming up. You like grape or strawberry jelly for your toast?"

"Have any peanut butter?"

Lynn turned and frowned at him, "you put peanut butter on toast without jelly? That an Irish thing?"

Walter chuckled. "Why is it whenever I do anything someone thinks is somewhat unusual everyone automatically thinks it is Irish? Peanut butter melting on hot toast is good….. it is a Walter thing. You don't like peanut butter?"

"Yeah, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches wrapped up and stuck in my hunting jacket for lunch out in the field was really good on those frosty days of small game hunting. Just not peanut butter alone on toast. A Walter thing, huh? Any other idiosyncratic Walter things of note?" Lynn asked opening a cabinet to hand Walter a jar of Skippy just as the toast popped up. "There you are, hot toast and peanut butter- no jelly."

"I also put peanut butter on waffles rather than the usual syrup. Was told that was strange and asked if it was an Irish thing. I just like peanut butter- especially Skippy, so having that is a plus for you."

"Good grief, not a wine snob but you are an apple pie snob and now a peanut butter snob," Lynn said putting her plate on the counter to come around and sit by Walter. "That melty peanut butter does look good- ever try it with marshmellow?"

"Marshmellow? No, that is a new one."

Lynn got up and opened a cabinet to hand him a jar of marshmellow. "Try a bit of that on your peanut butter toast."

Walter spread some on his toast and took a bite, "that is good but I think I can feel my arteries closing up. Old fart like me has to think about those things, you know."

Sitting back down to eat, Lynn kissed his cheek. "I don't think you are that out of shape… for an old fart, anyway. Eat up, I have to clear everything to start the stuffing and get that pie in the oven."

Walter finished eating and got up to put dish in the washer and poured himself and Lynn more coffee. "What can I do to help?"

"Ah no, buddy. I let you help you will say if it due to YOUR expertise that the pie and stuffing are excellent. Just sit back and watch an expert in action."

Walter got up and retrieved his laptop and opened it on the counter, "What is your WiFi key? Should I bring up apple pie recipes for you?"

"Wow, now you are just getting insulting. Recipe, I don't need no stinkin' recipes…. get that kinda' sorta' quote? From one of the best movies ever made."

Looking up from his laptop, "nope have no idea….. again."

"Blazing Saddles. Fantastic movie. The real dialogue line is 'badges, we don't need no stinkin' badges' in a heavy Mexican accent. The entire movie made fun of white people, yet white people thought the movie hilarious. Think they have to put a disclaimer on the new discs now-a-days. Pathetic."

"I dare say you are loading up a year's worth of movies for me to watch- will I understand it all?" Walter queried looking up from the laptop screen.

"You will understand it when I explain everything you don't get. You do understand many movies are purely for entertainment, not to be psychoanalyzed to find the deeper meanings to the answers of life's big questions. The ancient musicals- just watching Fred and Ginger dance around. Everyone made a big deal of Fred dancing, but Ginger had to do it, too- only backwards and in spike heels."

"Entertainment only, huh?" Walter mumbled. "You are not afraid I am too stuck in reality to grasp the value of pure entertainment? My kind of fun leaves many in deepest sleep."

"Yes, I understand your kind of fun, degree in mathematics, but not to your level. One of the many ways you will never cease to amaze me. Like the eggheads conference, not exactly stupid, but you are levels above them all and me as well. Have you ever thought of joining the eggheads? Bet Richard would be overjoyed were you to get in that rarified bunch."

Walter laughed, "you saw the interaction, I am known to some of them, and we don't exactly see eye to eye on things. Don't get me wrong, Videk and the others are quite knowledgeable- in their fields, they are just somewhat restricted to those specific fields. A number of the space think tank so-called eggheads are members of an association called VOR Collective…. kinda' a MENSA for the too smart for MENSA crowd. I was wanting to be a member….. but as I said and as the conversation with Videk at the conference showed, I don't do membership in organizations well. Hence staying confined to the garage."

Lynn laughed, "oh that is a good one, Walter."

Walter looked at her questioningly, "what is it you find funny in what I said?"

"I find it funny that in your thirty-four years you don't have a real appreciation for your intellect. If the VOR Collective is a MENSA for the too smart for MENSA crowd, what is there for the person who is too smart for the VOR Collective? THE GARAGE….. see?"

Walter glanced at her with a slight frown, "I will say I have a wider base of knowledge than they, but in their specific fields they are impressive. I think the pie making should begin, now?"

"See, don't like talking about yourself, huh?"

"You have to admit, they all are impressive in their fields and yet able to navigate the real world- some are even married with kids- not living alone in a garage unable to process simple human social interaction. So no, do not like talking about myself as it brings to the fore my many shortcomings."

Finishing up the kitchen clean up from breakfast, Lynn started the veggie chopping for making the stuffing. "What you doing on your laptop? Cat videos… Walter?"

"Hmmm…."

"Whatcha' watching on the laptop?"

"Richard's latest rocket test in the Arizona facility."

"What time is your check-up?"

"Two-thirty.

"Perfect, I will have the pie in and out, and the chicken in and should be ready by the time we get back. Then you will have a good home cooked dinner with the best dessert. You are in for such a treat, you just won't be satisfied with restaurants anymore. You like broccoli?"

"Yes, like broccoli, like most vegetables…. except lima beans for some unknown reason," Walter said continuing to watch the laptop screen. "When you are done with that, come watch this and tell me what you think."

Lynn walked around the counter to look, "OK, what am I looking for."

Walter restarted the clip and watched Lynn to see her reaction.

"What am I missing?" She asked.

"Let me slow it down," Walter said and then replayed the clip.

"Ah, that one engine is pulsing?" she asked pointing to it. "You saw that real time? Surely they have monitoring on all the engines for performance during these tests. That would catch that, wouldn't it?"

"No idea. Think I will send a message to Gene over in Arizona just in case. If caught he will let me know, if not, he will check it out. I will send him the slowed down clip. Matter of fact, how would you word this message so he and his people don't get angry with me for interfering? According to Joe Berns you write excellent reports and that keeps him from writing them which would result in his being fired."

"Hang on and let me get the pie in the oven and I will see what I can do. You still caught that pulsing in real time?"

"And you didn't?"

"No," Lynn said with a smirk returning to the counter to peel and slice apples. "Isn't it the Irish that have folk lore stories of kids being dropped off on people's doorsteps in the middle of the night that the family takes in and they all live happily ever after except for the one strange family member?"

"Not that I am aware of, and just what exactly are you getting at?" Walter asked sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest.

Lynn looked at him over her shoulder. "See that, you are getting into a defensive posture." Turning back to continue slicing apples she continued: "Ever do a DNA test of your family? May come to the realization you are a foundling dropped off from Arcturus. Ever discover crop circles on your farm of visiting space ships of your real relatives dropping in to check up on you? I have to admit as an Earthling it is nice to know the denizens of Arcturus are so handsome and smart."

"If you do not mind my asking, have you always been afflicted with these leaps of fantasy or is this the direct result of your childhood of watching ancient movies all night long?"

"See that? You didn't answer my questions just automatically question MY childhood. I should have been an attorney catching that kind of deflection so fast." She shoved the pie in the oven, set the timer, washed and dried her hands then turned to Walter. "Let me see about writing that message- in such a way people don't get angry but are aware." She sat at the counter next to him, pulled the laptop over and started typing. After a few minutes, she pushed the laptop back to Walter, "attach the slowed down clip and send it off and see what comes back. Then come stretch out on the sofa to get your back straight for your check-up."

Walter sent the message off and joined Lynn on the sofa, stretching out with his head on her lap and legs over the arm. She put one hand on his chest and the other to run her fingers through his getting long curls.

Walter took her hand on his chest and kissed the palm closing his eyes, "I must admit, thanks to you, this is the most pleasant time I have experienced in quite a while. Even with your thinking I am from outer space notwithstanding. Matter of fact, Arcturus is a star and does not have any known planets or confirmed sub-stellar companions. The presence of a sub-stellar object with almost 12 times the mass of Jupiter, lying at a distance of 1.1 astronomical units from the star, was suspected in 1993, but has not been confirmed, so life there is pretty remote. But do continue your fantasy if it keeps you happy and interested in me."

The oven timer went off- "That's the pie calling," Lynn said getting up. "Just lay there while it browns and I stuff the chicken and get it in the oven then off we go to the clinic. How many more check-up before you are declared in perfect working condition and ready to go back to work? I know Richard is anxious about the security at all the data centers storing his space and banking data." Lynn went into the kitchen, checked the pie and got the chicken out to stuff and put in the roaster.

"That is up to the doctor, but I have gone without the rib brace and cane at times without problem. To be honest, I am pretty tired of the restrictions. The pie smells good."

"All right, pie out and chicken in, so ready to go?" Walter got up and they went to the garage to head out to the clinic.