The Separation

by Thomas Duffy

  “Accounting, maybe.”

  “Finn, you would be bored as an accountant.”

  “What other careers are out there for someone with skills like the ones I have?”

  “When we think about you, Finn, we think about top corporations. These you will learn about in college and fine companies out there would find your talents and abilities quite useful.”

  “What do those companies do?”

  “Manage the money for some of the most powerful people in the country. But, I've said too much. There will be more revelations to come as you get older. I guess the reason I called you here today is to let you know that you shouldn't get into fights with people who are jealous of your talents and abilities regardless of who is right and who is wrong.”

  “I don't want to get into fights. But, people start with me.”

  “That's why we need to get you away from such bitter young people.”

  “Understood.”

  “Thanks for coming by. Please return to class and we'll talk soon.”

  Chapter Five

  With the knowledge he was obtaining, Finn still felt he had plenty to learn and wasn't afraid of taking extra coursework when it was given to him ahead of his peers. Finn secretly let Mark earn a top award in Spanish when Finn purposefully answered a question wrong on the foreign language final exam. Finn, in private, made his teachers aware of the fact that he knew the answer to the question he answered wrong. His superiors knew why he answered the question wrong although they would never admit it to Mark who suffered from some kind of anxiety which was not yet diagnosed by the school psychologist.

  Ivy League colleges were also segregated for undergraduate studies. Although both the male and female divisions of such universities were in neighboring states, the students would still be unaware of the opposite sex until such undergraduate courses were completed. Finn, in his last year in high school, was being prepared by his mentors to attend Harvard and the national exams to get into that school were quite rigorous. Finn was up to the challenge and seemed to have a mastery of the required knowledge to gain admittance to Harvard as evidenced by his performance on practice examinations. It was the real examination results, though, that had his teachers worried.

  Meanwhile, Finn was talking to other kids in his class about a recent dramatic movie that was shown to them about the importance of financial stability in the adult world.

  “I think the world after school is going to be a lot of fun,” Thomas stated.

  Finn answered, “Don't you remember what Moses told us?”

  “He told us we need to seize the day and make the most of our abilities,” Mark replied.

  “Yes, that too. But, he also said that only the strongest survive,” Finn said.

  The next morning before classes, Finn's beliefs that some of his classmates wouldn't be able to thrive in a career after finishing school were verbally shared with two of his teachers in private.

  “In this world, there are so many different types of careers that I can truly and honestly see all your classmates being able to do something. What, exactly, they will do remains to be seen,” Lawrence stated.

  “There is so much you will learn in college and after it ends, young Finn. Wait and see what lies ahead. I promise you that some truly great things await,” Moses informed Finn.

  Finn asked, “What awaits for me?”

  “This world is a lot different than the one us instructors grew up in. Every day awards us new and exciting possibilities that high school doesn't adequately prepare you for,” Moses answered.

  “What he's trying to say, Finn, is that your grades and talents are going to bring unexpected rewards when school is finished,” Lawrence said.

  Finn wondered aloud, “Are there really that many people in the world?”

  “You will meet other young men such as yourself in college. A university education like the one you are embarking on will afford you endless opportunities and meeting people with talents like the ones you possess is assured so rest easy today, young man,” Moses replied.

  Finn's classmates started arriving to their new early morning “Introduction to Music” class which was designed to show the students an understanding of lyrics found in old songs. They had only learned about instrumental and classical music the previous year. Songs were going to start to be taught. On the agenda for that morning was an overview of opera.

  “Your films that you watch have had some music in them but never opera for this type of music or song, if you will, is something quite different than anything you've ever heard,” Carlos explained.

  When Carlos put on a work of Luciano Pavarotti, the students all listened but none more so than Finn who absorbed the work wholeheartedly. He felt the power of the music and related it to all the unanswered questions he had regarding life.

  After class, Finn asked Moses a question regarding why there were so little people currently around him if the world was so big.

  “We believe it is best for students to learn in a smaller setting before going out and experiencing the bigger world. That way a young man is adequately prepared for what is to come,” Moses answered.

  “Listening to that music made me feel as if there was something greater out there than you and me. I felt like there was something more in this world than what we are living,” Finn said.

  “That may well be the purpose of opera,” said Carlos who overheard the conversation.

  “Don't worry. You have a long life ahead of you to discover the world. How come no other classmates seem concerned? Maybe they trust in us as you should trust us as well, Finn,” Lawrence stated.

  Finn was remembering his studies of Earth science from two years back. He also thought back to his map studies from his social studies coursework. He was impatient to know when he would get to travel and see what the world offered outside of the school he was learning in. He was eager but then remembered the words of his teachers who suggested how important it was to trust in them.

  Meanwhile, the teachers couldn't wait to return to the larger world as they had given up almost 20 years to help educate the students they had been teaching. Financially, the instructors knew they would be rewarded and hoped their sacrifice would make their students thrive in the world they would experience after college.

  Chapter Six

  Carolina and Kevin Parker, Finn's parents, were excited to be receiving copies of report cards that showed Finn's exceptional progress. Class photos taken were shared with the Parkers via emails and videos which made the Parkers anxious to be finally meeting their son in just several more years. Financially, Finn would be well provided for in his transition to the bigger world as the Parkers were hard-working and successful. They were secretly helping to finance the cost of the education Finn would receive at Harvard although Finn had received a lot of scholarship funds to help offset the cost via successful results on standardized testing examinations.

  Finn had finally reached the end of his high school days. His graduation ceremony was small but he felt as if he truly had earned the awards that were given to him for his accomplishments. There were rarely big parties in Finn's experiences that centered solely on him. This time, it felt as if he was the person who was at the core of the celebration and he finally felt truly rewarded for the first time in his life. It made an impact on him when he was pulled to the side by Moses during the graduation after-party who offered him some advice.

  “You have no idea what the world holds in store for you. Please promise me you will never let go of the passion that runs deep in your blood. It is so strong. No matter what things you discover about yourself in college or your life afterwards, remember the experience with me and your other teachers. Don't forget that it was partially us who helped shape and transform you into the brilliant man you will soon become,” Moses stated to Finn.

  “Thanks, Moses,” Finn replied.

  Finn hugged Moses and said his “goodbyes” and more “thank yous” before he went to look for his oth
er teachers. He was informed by Thomas that school office workers said the instructors had departed the school grounds for “vacation.” In reality, since their job with their students was done, they had been instructed by authoritative school heads to move forward towards their retirement goals and were transported to another state to carry such ambitions out.

  A few days later, Finn boarded a small aircraft that would transport him to a division of Harvard University where he would soon begin new studies. He was one of two passengers on the plane who was not professionally affiliated with the airline or Harvard. There was another student from another sector flying with him to work in the Cambridge area as well as a supervisor-type man who wore sunglasses. He stated his name was “Eddie” and that he was their escort to their new destination—Massachusetts.

  On the flight, the other student let Finn know his name was Robbie. Finn was informed that Robbie had a new job as an accountant in a town neighboring Finn's new school. Robbie then fell into a sleep as Finn stared out the window seat he found himself in on the plane. Eddie asked if Finn would like to listen to music or watch a video but Finn wasn't interested in anything other than getting to his new school safely to begin a new adventure—college.

  Chapter Seven

  College was a new and interesting experience for Finn. Finally coming to the understanding that mathematics would be his discipline was the hardest decision he had to comprehend. He adored literature and poetry. He loved science but he knew his expertise lied mostly in math. His first schedule consisted of calculus courses, and core curriculum science and foreign language classes.

  On his first Saturday morning of dorm life, Finn went through his large calculus textbook and practiced problems he had been taught to solve his first week of classes. That evening, living as a freshman on campus at Harvard was going to be coinciding with a freshman introduction to the twenty-five gentleman in his discipline and several young men from other majors as well at a local bar. While he was getting ready to go to the event, there was a knock on his dorm room door.

  Finn asked, “Who is it?”

  “Open up, it's your roommate, Josef.”

  “I thought I wasn't getting a roommate,” Finn stated as he opened the door.

  Josef, a white 18-year old male with blue eyes and dark hair, walked into his room and put his bags down on the bed on the other side of the dorm room.

  “You see, I'm new, my friend. I started classes this week but just made the decision to get out of rooming with my friend from high school, Donald. So, the office told me you needed a roommate and, well, here I am,” Josef informed him.

  “OK. I'm Finn.”

  “Yes, you're the notorious Finn. I know a lot about you.”

  “How would you know a lot about me?”

  “The resident advisor on the floor, Karl, told me you seemed intensely serious on your studies. So serious that he thought you weren't going to attend tonight's meet and greet.”

  “I'm going to the bar tonight, actually.”

  “Then, we can go together.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “I don't understand why they're having it at a bar being that we're too young to drink.”

  “I heard they rented a room in the back and we're going to have the meet and greet followed by a game of darts or some shit like that. They're giving prizes out, I hear.”

  “Sounds like it'll be pretty interesting.”

  “We shall see.”

  When Finn and Josef got to the bar, they were informed at the door by the bouncer (who rarely had to break up drunken arguments) that the event had been delayed until Sunday and the school was sorry for the inconvenience. Finn and Josef entered the bar to get a drink of soda. The bar was small with only about 20 people inside drinking. There were mostly professors in the bar as well as a couple of student teachers who were discussing their course outlines for the new semester. Finn and Josef went back to their dorm room.

  Finn's college courses had him immersed in intensive studying. Finn would go to the library while Josef was home. Josef would go to the library when Finn was home. They avoided each other almost entirely during the school week except for an occasional dinner together. On the weekends, they'd talk about artists they had learned about in high school and fun things that helped them pass the time during which they were not studying.

  For his entire freshman year, Finn earned straight “A” grades. Josef was far behind him in terms of his academic grades. Josef was passing, though, and trying to maintain his enrollment. There were no other possibilities for them but to do well. For the world they knew seemed to only allow for success. In the world presented to them, failure was simply not an option.

  One night after studying on a Saturday afternoon at the library for a final exam, Finn returned to his dorm room to find Josef sleeping. In the middle of the night, Josef rose out of bed to go the refrigerator to get a drink. Finn called him over after he took a sip of soda.

  “I think it's all a hoax, Josef. I feel it,” Finn informed him as he sat up on his bed.

  “What's a hoax?”

  “Religion.”

  “Why do you think there's nothing more than this in the world?”

  “I feel so down. Emotionally, I mean. The studying. I do it so I can be able to survive. It's just the so-called “religion” we were taught about. How could there by a Heaven and a Hell? They seem so unrealistic. They say taking your life is a sin so that means all there is in life is to study and, eventually, make money.”

  “Don't you want to be a wealthy businessman or financial entrepreneur?”

  “Of course, I do. It's just the whole Heaven vs. Hell thing.”

  “Don't think too much. Just do what they tell us. We'll be successful. Hit the books and in a few years, we'll be all good. Just believe, Finn. You, of all people, inspire us to be better pupils. You have the talent so don't let your mind run away with you.”

  “Thanks, Josef. I guess my mind was meandering again which it often does when I study too much.”

  “Go back to sleep.”

  “OK. Good night.”

  Chapter Eight

  Studying proved successful for Finn over the next several years and he was quite content with the part-time job he received tutoring at the university starting his sophomore year. As a peer tutor, he found he could reach out to classmates who were confused by the material. He often shed light on why students got confused during his tutoring sessions with the under-performers. Finn won so many accolades from the university that he knew his education wouldn't conclude after his senior year finished.

  After senior year, though, he would be of age to be informed of the fact that he had parents, and that he could meet members of the opposite sex. The summer after senior year is when he'd learn the truth about what he had been taught in regards to literature, politics, and the arts. When his final grades for senior year were revealed, he found a letter stapled to his grades that informed him he was to go directly to his college advisor for advice on his next steps.

  His advisor, Dr. Phillip Weiss, congratulated him on his academics and had Finn sit in the seat directly across from him.

  “So, Finn. You've impressed us all.”

  “Thanks. I wasn't sure I'd make it. I did.”

  “You did, indeed. You passed with flying colors.”

  “I'm sorting through job offers.”

  “Well, leave that for a minute. I know you'll pick the job that's right for you. It's just that the school wanted me to let you know that you're not ordinary.”

  “What do you mean? I'm not ordinary?”

  “You know that your marks are extraordinary but we wanted to prepare you for the three week long course that follows every American student's graduation ceremonies.”

  “I was worried about that. Why do I need to go? What are they going to teach me in three weeks?”

  “They're going to let you in on what else is available besides jobs that benefit from talented mathematics students
such as yourself.”

  “What do you mean? What else is available besides a job and money?”

  “Do you remember your old roommate, Josef, and yourself engaged in a conversation about religion a few years back?”

  “Vaguely.”

  “He told your advisor at the time you had concerns about religion.”

  “I did at the time. I'm over that now, though.”

  “Well, you won't learn about Heaven and Hell in the three week long course that every graduate of this and every other university across the United States will participate in. You will, however, learn that some of your thoughts about life and religion have more complex properties than you ever imagined.”

  “What do you mean by complex properties?”

  “I mean that there is something out there in the world that will definitely change the bigger picture.”

  “The bigger picture?”

  “Well up until this point, it's been a journey of preparing yourself to make money and survive in the world. What if I told you there is something that could make you happy in ways other than those related to financial stability?”

  “I'd wonder what the hell you were talking about. The world's always been about survival of the fittest and making money, hasn't it?”

  “In your world and the world of the young, well, yes. That's the world that has been presented to you.”

  “Tell me there's another world.”

  “No another world per se. But, a new journey that you are about to embark on that will comparatively be less stressful, and, perhaps, even more rewarding.”

  “More rewarding than survival?”

  “I've said too much. I've got someone I'd like you to meet.”

  “Who is it?”

  “His name is Dr. Kevin Parker and he has much in common with you.”

  “He's a doctor? A doctor as in a professor?”

  “No. He's a medical doctor and one of two people who have helped make your journey through school happen.”