The Watcher II: The Time of Suppression

by Saxon Robinson

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “I owe it to you for convincing me to call her, Gregory.”

  Gregory sighed and said, “Albert I won’t be able to stop by each day.”

  Albert smiled, “I know; one of the workers told me you were going to college. I’ll miss you Gregory.”

  “I will be running by on weekends Albert; you need your oranges.”

  “You know I haven’t needed those for years.”

  Gregory smiled, “I know. But I still need my first friend.” Albert hugged him and Gregory left with a tear in his eyes.

  He arrived home and found Allison waiting for him, “I could have picked you up at work.”

  “I had to say goodbye to Albert.”

  Allison smiled and said, “Are you ready?”

  “I suppose.” He went to his room and picked up his bags. He moved them out to the car and then knocked on Gene’s door. “Here’s my key.”

  “I’m going to miss you Gregory.”

  Gregory smiled and said, “I’ll never forget living here; this was my first real home.”

  Gene hugged him and said, “I expect you to find a better place than this one.”

  “This will always be home to me, Gene. I’ll never forget you.”

  Gregory went to the car and Allison saw his sorrow. “Are you ok?”

  Gregory nodded, “The reason why I almost turned down the scholarship was because I just couldn’t bring myself to leave all the people I’ve come to love behind.”

  “Why did you change your mind?”

  “Your mother said the only thing that made me do it. She asked what Lou would tell me to do.” Gregory was silent a moment and chuckled.

  “What’s funny?”

  “Lou would have continued to stare at the tablet and say over his shoulder, ‘Are you an idiot?’.” Gregory started laughing and Allison joined him.

  They arrived at the dorm and Allison handed him a key, “Mom picked this up for you. Do you need some help moving in?”

  “No, I’ll settle in and see you tonight.” Allison leaned over and kissed him.

  • • •

  Gregory went up one flight of stairs and arrived outside room 221. He opened the door and walked in. He stopped in his tracks as Dit looked up from a desk. “SAY IT ISN’T SO! ARE YOU MY NEW ROOMMATE!?!”

  Gregory started laughing and braced himself as Dit rushed up and hugged him. Boy was he strong!

  • • •

  One day before the end of the semester, Gregory walked up to the blackboard and looked at the equation that Merry had been working on during class. He stared at it and she turned to him, “Yes, Gregory?”

  “I was wondering what had so much of your attention.”

  “Do you have anything to say about it?”

  Gregory shook his head, “No, I’m just glad this is your problem and not mine.” Gregory turned around and walked out of the class. Merry turned back to the blackboard and blew out a breath.

  That night Dit looked at Gregory and said, “What’s bothering you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t try to fool me. Something is bothering you.”

  “There’s something about Professor Guetteur that…I don’t know…..just doesn’t seem…normal.”

  “Of course she’s not normal; she’s perfect!”

  Gregory smiled, “I think you’re somewhat prejudiced.” Dit shrugged and looked up at the ceiling. The first semester ended and Gregory and Dit both made As.

  • • •

  The second semester began and Dit made the golf team. He mentioned during a physics class that he didn’t know what golf was. Merry stared at him and he said, “What is it?”

  She turned to Larry Orton and said, “Larry take Mr. Kamerov with you to golf practice this afternoon and show him what golf is. I’m sure it will add to his education.” The next day before the class stared, Merry turned to Dit, “Do you know what golf is now, Mr. Kamerov?”

  Larry snorted, “Does he? He’s now on the golf team.” Merry turned to Larry with a surprised expression and Larry shook his head, “He’s a natural at it! The coach put him on the team on the spot.”

  Merry turned to Dit and he raised his hands, “It’s simple physics; you swing the club and hit the ball.”

  Merry and the class burst out laughing but Gregory stared at Dit. Dit glanced at Merry and he wasn’t smiling.

  • • •

  The second semester passed quickly, and Gregory noticed that something was bothering Dit… a lot. But he refused to talk about it. Final exams arrived and Gregory walked into his last class and his expression was angry. Merry looked around the room and said, “You may start working on the final problem.” She walked back to Gregory’s desk and asked, “Where’s Mr. Kamerov?”

  Gregory turned to her and said, “Why would you care?!”

  Merry’s head went back at the venom in Gregory’s tone and she said, “He’s one of the best students in my classes. Where is he?”

  “He packed his bags, dropped out of school, and left last night.”

  Merry’s eyes widened, “Why would he do that?”

  Gregory glared at Merry and said, “Don’t stand there and tell me you don’t know!”

  “I have no idea.”

  “You have to know that Dit has had a crush on you from the first day he saw you!”

  Merry stared at Gregory and then nodded. “But you never called him by his first name like you did everyone else. You always called him Mr. Kamerov and ignored him. He couldn’t take it anymore and dropped out.”

  Merry stared at Gregory and said, “You should start working on the final problem.”

  “I know the answer!” Gregory said harshly.

  “What is it?”

  “D equals five hundred miles. I just have to show the work.”

  “Just write that answer down. You don’t need to show the work.” Merry turned and walked quickly away. Gregory saw something in her eyes.

  She arrived at the front of the classroom and said to her assistant, “Mr. Carlyle, please administer the final.”

  “Yes Doctor.” Merry walked out of the classroom and stopped outside the door, “Computer, tell me the location of Dimitry Kamerov?” Merry waited and said, “Did you hear me computer?”

  “Yes, I heard you.”

  “Then answer my question!”

  “Uhhh…I’m sorry but I can’t answer that question.”

  Merry’s expression turned angry, “Can’t or won’t?”

  “I guess I won’t answer the question Merry.”

  “And exactly who has ordered you not to answer the question?”

  Uhhh…”

  “WHO?!”

  “Your mother has ordered me to answer no question concerning Dimitry Kamerov.”

  “Send a ship to pick me up now!” Merry walked out of the building and went to the loading dock at the rear of the building. No one was present and she entered the small ship. It lifted and flew away at high speed.

  • • •

  Charles looked at Nicole, “She’s on the way.”

  “Let her.”

  “Nicole…”

  “I’ll handle this. You stay out of it.”

  Charles stared at her, “I hope you’re right about this.” Nicole shook her head and saw the small ship arrive in the landing bay.

  • • •

  Merry stormed on the bridge and it was clear she was furious. She walked up to her parents sitting in their chairs and she turned to Nicole, “Why have you ordered the computer not to answer my questions?!”

  “Why do you want to know Mr. Kamerov’s location?”

  “Why would it matter to you?”

  “He’s one of my best students and he’s dropped out of school.”

  Nicole lowered her gaze slightly, “Is that the only reason?”

  Merry stared into Nicole’s eyes and tilted her head, “Why would it matter what my reason is?” Nicole was silent and Merry’s eyes opened slight
ly. She looked at Charles and said, “Are you a part of this?”

  Charles raised his hands, “I’ve agreed to stay out of this.”

  Merry turned back to her mother, “He’s one of us, isn’t he?” Nicole’s eyes widened and Merry’s expression turned to almost rage, “You think you know everything! Your opinion is the only thing that matters! You will remove that order now!”

  “I will not.”

  Merry stared into Nicole’s eyes and said, “I will never speak to you again. You will never be a part of my life.” She looked up and she said, “Computer, you will take me to his location.”

  Uhhh…”

  “I’m not asking you a question! I’m giving you an order!”

  The computer said, “Charles?”

  Merry turned to Charles, “Do you want to never be my father again?! Just stop me and I’m done with both of you.”

  Charles stared at her and said, “Computer, carry out her order.”

  Nicole turned to him, “Charles!”

  Charles turned to her, “Shut up! You’ve done enough damage!”

  Merry turned and ran off the bridge. Nicole turned to Charles, “You promised to stay out of it!”

  “I will not lose my daughter due to your arrogance and selfish pride. It appears you’ve managed to lose her easily enough. You know her, Nicole! Do you think she didn’t mean what she said?” Nicole stared at Charles and felt a cold wind blow over her soul.

  • • •

  Merry left the ship and the small ship dropped toward the planet’s surface. It flew over the shoreline and landed in a park next to the harbor. It was getting dark as Merry ran out of the ship and looked to the right and didn’t see him. She looked left and saw a fishing pier extending out into the water; she saw someone sitting on it; she turned and ran.

  She ran down the pier and slowed as she approached the man sitting at the end of the pier…it was Dit. She walked up and sat down beside him. He glanced at her and turned his attention back to the water. She sat beside him, and he was silent. “Why did you leave?”

  “My time was up.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes it does! It matters to me!”

  Dit shook his head, “No it doesn’t. The only reason you’re here is you don’t want to lose one of your students.”

  “You’re not an ordinary student Dit.” Dit shrugged. “Matter of fact, you’re quite extraordinary.” Dit didn’t respond to her. “There are many things about you that are extraordinary.”

  Dit shook his head and said sarcastically, “Such as?”

  “Your sense of humor, your smile that brightens the room around you, your lack of ego and never taking offense at what others say about you; I could go on,” Merry said. Dit looked at her. “When Gregory told me you dropped out of school and had left, I immediately felt something.”

  “What was that?”

  “A huge sense of loss. Gregory told me that you were in love with me and you finally gave up on me. He said all I ever did was reject you and treat you poorly.”

  Dit turned back to the water, “That’s Gregory; he didn’t like my leaving.”

  “He’s right.” Dit turned back to her. “I never gave you any indication I had feelings because I didn’t want to give in to them.” Dit’s eyes narrowed. “You made my class a happier place. You always brightened my day with your comments and lack of knowledge about simple things. I suddenly realized when I learned you were gone that I was losing something I just couldn’t bear losing.”

  “But my time is over.” Dit looked back at the water. “It’s too late now.”

  “What are you talking about?!”

  Dit turned to her, “Your mother told me when I asked if I could woo you that I had to spend four years living among humans to learn how to act properly around you.”

  Merry’s head went back, “YOU SPENT FOUR YEARS LIVING ON EARTH!”

  Dit shrugged, “Primarily in Russia and they didn’t play golf there. After talking with your father about humans and my species being able to have children, I decided to come here and see for myself. I watched you on the monitor and decided to ask if I could possibly meet you.” Merry chuckled and Dit sighed. “Your mother told me that I had one year to convince you to love me. She told me that if I couldn’t make that happen in a year, it would never happen, and I’d have to find someone else.”

  Merry’s eyes narrowed and she said, “I hate that woman!”

  • • •

  Charles and Nicole were listening to them on the ship and Nicole flinched and put her head in her hands.

  • • •

  “Why?”

  “Because she’s an arrogant consummate idiot. She thinks that everyone should fall in love at first sight and that is not what happens in the real world.”

  “Why would she believe that?”

  “Because that’s what happened with her and my father.”

  “She also forbade me to tell you that I’m…”

  “Like my parents and me,” Merry interrupted. Dit nodded. “Dit, that’s why I never allowed myself to get close to you.”

  Dit’s head tilted, “I don’t understand.”

  “I swore as a little girl that I would never fall in love with a man who couldn’t live as long as me.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because my father did that and the pain and sorrow it caused him when she died still haunts his memories. He blames himself for not being able to save her. But there’s no saving someone from old age. I vowed to never endure that.”

  “I’ll live as long as you.”

  Merry raised her hands, “I just learned that, but I didn’t know it before you left. I decided that I didn’t care if you died before I did; I had to find you and tell you how I felt. But my mother blocked me from finding you.”

  “What happened?”

  “I pretty much forced my father to allow me to come to you. Dit, there is no time limit; that’s a complete fabrication by my mother. Please don’t tell me you’ve given up on me.”

  Dit raised a shoulder, “She told me after a year, to just go and find someone else.” Merry stared at him and he blew out a breath, “But I decided if I couldn’t be with you, I wouldn’t be with anyone else. I stopped here before leaving in my ship.” Merry took his hands in hers. Dit sighed, “If you’re honest about caring for me, there’s no way I can leave you behind.”

  Merry wrapped her arms around him and said, “We’ve got to get you back to school to get you re-enrolled.”

  “I missed the final.”

  “You can take it tonight when we get back; I do have some privileges as your professor.” Dit stood up and Merry took his hand. They went to the small ship and later that night, Dit entered the dorm and Gregory yelled and greeted him back.

  • • •

  Nicole was crying and Charles said, “I never should have allowed you to handle this.” Nicole shook her head and Charles continued, “You insisted that Merry was your daughter and that I wouldn’t understand. You had all the answers and you imposed your will on her and her future! You assume you and only you have the right answers.”

  Nicole shook her head, “I’ve lost my daughter!”

  “Do you really know our daughter?!” Nicole took her head out of her hands and looked at Charles. “Oh she’s furious with you but she will confront you about what you’ve done, and it will depend on how you handle that confrontation that will determine if you’ve lost her.” Nicole stared at him and Charles said, “If you get all defensive like you normally do; she’s gone. But if you confess you made a huge mistake and ask for forgiveness, she’ll do it.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “Because she loves you Nicole.”

  “Do you still love me Charles? I’ve been such a fool.”

  “That’s partly my fault; I shouldn’t have stayed out of it. And in the future I won’t so don’t even ask.” Charles paused and sighed, “But yes, I
still love you very much.” Nicole stood up and went to his lap. She put her head on his shoulder and wept while he held her tightly. Three weeks and four days later, Merry confronted Nicole and they ended up crying and hugging each other. The family was whole again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gregory exited his night class and he noticed a light in Merry’s classroom as he passed. He looked through the glass and saw Merry and Dit standing at the blackboard. He smiled; it appeared the professor did have feelings for Dit. He took a step and stopped. Was he ready for another huge change in his life? He blew out a breath and asked himself what Lou would say. He remembered all the years worked on that damn equation and he could let go once he solved it. Was he ready? He shook his head and figured he could be wrong…but all the evidence suggested he wasn’t. Oh well, this one is for you Lou.

  He entered the door and saw Merry and Dit turn to him. Merry smiled, “Gregory, what are you doing here?”

  “Well, I just got out of my last class and you’ve been pestering me about what I was going to do about a thesis.”

  Gregory walked up to the black board and Merry smiled. “Have you decided?”

  Gregory took a piece of chalk and erased a letter on the left side of the equation on the blackboard. He erased another letter on the right side and inserted a line with an additional letter under it. Merry was frowning and Gregory turned to her, “I find it amazing that the most brilliant people I’ve ever known fail to see the obvious. I think solving this equation would qualify as a good thesis, don’t you?”

  Gregory turned and walked out of the room. Merry stared at the blackboard and shook her head. Dit asked, “Could he be right?”

  Merry rushed to her computer and entered the new equation. After four hours, she and Dit stared at the monitor. She said, “Dad.”

  “Yes Merry.”

  “I think there’s something you should know.”

  Charles was smiling as he asked, “What is that?” She told him and his smile disappeared.

  • • •

  Allison was waiting for Gregory in the parking lot after his last class and Gregory smiled as he got in the car, “Do you want to take a little ride?”

  Allison smiled, “Where do you want to go?”

  “Do you remember our first date where we ate lobster?”