Marci's first two weeks at M. V. Preston Nursing College had been rather hectic. She got to the school on a Monday afternoon and had a class that night at 7 p.m. Her roommates, Roberta and Sheila helped her get everything up to their third floor dorm room in time for her to get a bite to eat before class. Everything wasn't in its proper place but it was all in her room. That much was a blessing.
Almost every available hour of the first two days was spent with counselors and a big notebook. She carried that notebook everywhere. It was like her second brain. When questions would pop into her head that she needed an answer to, into the notebook it went. There was no such thing as a preposterous question. Every question got written down. Every question got asked to at least one counselor.
What she was most eager to find out was which med school was the best to launch her career into research. Most of the counselors agreed that the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine was the choice for her.
The answers she got from the counselors were all categorized and put into another notebook. With this notebook in hand she spent the next two days in the main library down town. And, that is where she met Brian.
She was carrying several books and was trying to maneuver her way through the crowd. Although the concrete steps leading into the library were more than adequate for the library, the amount of students lounging around made it difficult to get from one place to another. One of the books slipped off the top of the stack and Brian just happened to be there pick it up for her. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she apologized with a small smile.
"That's quite alright," he answered quite cheerfully. He took another couple off of her stack and put them in one hand. Then, he held her elbow with the other and half-way commanded those sitting in the way, "Excuse us, please?” The three-piece suit, hair slicked back attractive gentleman stretched his patent leather size twelves forward. And, the Red Sea parted, saints of God. Brian escorted Marci safely to the bottom of the steps.
As he turned to face her with a confident smile, she admitted, "To turn a well-worn phrase, you sure know you're way around, don't you?"
"And to add to the well-worn phrase, a well-worn situation," Brian asserted. "This is the place in the movie where the handsome guy picks up a book for a very attractive young lady. They have lunch. They fall deeply in love, get married and live happily ever after."
"Well, SIR, I'm not into movies," she announced as she tried to hold her hand out for her books.
He pointed to the college just six blocks away and suggested, "It's just a few blocks away, and it would be no trouble......."
"For me to carry all of the books myself if they were properly balanced in my arms," she demanded of him as she snapped her fingers with a smile.
Instead, Brian again took her elbow in his hand and walked her toward the college. After they were away from anyone who might be able to hear them, he opened up, "I have an urgent need to talk to you, Marci Hensley."
Marci was stunned that a total stranger knew her name. She stopped and pulled her arm away from his grasp and demanded in a low tone, "How do you know my name?"
"Deborah McDonald used you as a personal reference when she enlisted in the Air Force. She has applied for a security clearance and it is just normal policy for us to locate the references and ask questions somewhat face-to-face. For one thing, I've got to be able to document that there IS a female named Marci Hensley, that she DOES know the applicant and that neither one of them look like they are subversives."
Marci chuckled out loud with relief as well as how he made it sound. "OK, you have five more blocks......Mr.........?" her voice trailed off in an obvious question.
He answered very quietly and she couldn't help but notice his quick glances at the people nearby, "My name is Brian Roberts. An-n-n-d, as far as the comment about the movie line goes it was just a conversation starter. At my current salary and the amount of time I spend traveling, I am nowhere close to thinking about settling down."
They turned to go to the dorm. "O-h-h-h," Marci wondered, "and just who did you get that line from, Humphrey Bogart, Rock Hudson.......Bela Lugosi?"
An outclassed Brian lost his suave and cool demeanor as Marci began to laugh at her own joke. He admitted, "You see? That's exactly why I can't even think about being serious about dating. You are so quick with your questions and I just open my mouth and insert my foot. I am a natural at it."
All the way to the dorm, Marci was relentless about throwing Brian on the defensive. No matter how he tried to explain to her his real intensions, she found some way to embarrass him. They were still laughing at his mistake as they approached the dorm.
Marci let him off the hook by saying, "Brian, I am just focused on my dreams and I guess I've built up a natural defense against anything that sounded like a come-on."
Brian admitted, "The honest answer is, I don't have the income and I am actively pursuing my career, also. Maybe when I make it to Washington, D.C. and you make it to the University of Maryland, you can drive thirty minutes south and I can drive thirty minutes north and we could have a go at it."
"Well, now that's a possibility," she said. As they got to the entrance of the dorm, they stopped at the call box. With a twinkle in her eye, she looked at Brian and asked, "Would you like to meet a couple of girls that are .........., shall we say, not as focused as I am.” She couldn't help but giggle at the idea. "These two are borderline space cadets when it comes to guys. Why don't I tell them that we're on the way up and you're helping me carry my books? And, then while we're in there, you can ask me where we want to go eat. Dear God I sound more like Tom Dandridge every day. Oh, and I can pay for my own meal."
"Oh, no, no. This is a business lunch, remember? The government has given me an expense account for these things. And, who is Tom Dandridge?"
"I'll tell you over lunch. Now, let's see if they are even there," she said as she pushed the button underneath the number 304.
A voice came through the speaker, "Hello?"
Marci tried to speak without giggling, "Hey, Bert? Are you and Sheila decent? I've got a guy with me who is helping me carry a load of books. Is it OK if he comes up?"
They heard some thumping and shuffling noises as Roberta stuttered, "Uh, uh, yeah, sure Marci. We're dressed and everything, uh but take the stairs, I think the elevator gets stuck between floors, OK?"
"Sure thing, Bert. We'll be up in a jiffy."
"Ok."
Marci turned to Brian and asked, "Do you mind taking the stairs? It sounds like the ladies are anything but appropriate right now."
"I understand," Brian said as they headed for the stairs. "I was in the service. There were four of us to a room. Wow! I never thought that one place could stink so badly for six days and then smell good on inspection Friday. I am so very glad they didn't throw any surprise inspections. We would have been on KP for the next twenty six years."
They both laughed as they walked steadily up the three flights of stairs. Brian asked, "So are you seriously think about enrolling in the University of Maryland?"
"Yep. I believe I'm going to go for it."
"Do you mind me asking why? That's a pretty tough AND a prestigious college. They put out some good brains but at a GOOD price, also."
"I took care of my great-grandmother when I was twelve through fourteen years old. She died of a degenerative disease. As I watched her go downhill, I kept wondering if they would ever come out with something that could add some years to her life or at least make her last few months easier."
"I can understand."
"When she passed, we found out that she had left practically everything to me in her will. She declared that her house was to be rented and the money be put into an account to fund my college desires. My Uncle Preston was a very shrewd investor and the money grew by leaps and bounds. There is more than enough for any university, even if I have to go overseas, like to Germany. I've already applied for a visa.” She sighed and continued, "That's why I'm so focused. I'm not about to let my granny down
."
"I surely can't fault you for that. Uh......I do have a business acquaintance at the college. One of the professors has.......how can I say it....had need of my services. I would be glad to speak to him if you would like. I don't know what he could or couldn't do. But, he could at least come up with some good advice."
As they came up to the door, she acknowledged, "Brian, that would be great, but don't go out of your way.....or I wouldn't want to....."
"Marci, I have an appointment with him tomorrow. And I have to report to him every so often. As much as he likes to brag on himself, I bet he would bend over backwards to help you just so he could brag about it. This guy is a serious case I'm here to tell you," he argued.
Marci knocked on the door as she said, "Thanks" to Brian.
"Marci?"
"It's me, Bert. Is it OK to come in?"
"Sure thing, we're just studying. Nothing going on."
As Marci slowly inserted the key into the door she mouthed, "I'll bet.” She opened the door and they entered the room.
Bert and Sheila just happened to be sitting on the same couch at the same time. It just so happened that the couch is on the left side of the living room. You know. When the door opens it's the first thing you see. Or, should I say that whenever the door opens, anyone who is sitting on the couch can get a good look at whoever is coming through the door?
There they were the very epitome of studious young ladies. Books and papers were spread out on the coffee table somewhat profusely. However, Bert had her Gastrointestinal System text book open on the coffee table while she had her Brain and Behavior workbook in her hands.
Brian choked back a chuckle. Sheila was sitting at the other end of the couch with her left hand hanging off the end for some odd reason. She couldn't hide from Marci. She had a camera in her hand and skullduggery on her mind.
As they entered the room, the girls looked up expecting to see one of the guys that normally hang around the downtown library with only one thing in mind. However, what they saw was a clean cut, handsome young man in a three piece business suit and patent leather shoes.
Marci announced, "Ladies, this is Brian Roberts, who was kind enough to help me carry this armload of books from the library. Brian, the one with the book in her hand is Roberta Driggers."
"Hi."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Driggers."
Marci continued, "And, the one with the camera in her hand is Sheila Walker."
Before a word came out of his mouth, Sheila was quick to say, "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Roberts. Now, hold still this won't hurt a bit.” She held up the camera, held down the automatic button and clicked off five shots in a heartbeat. As she scrolled through them, she jokingly commented, "Now, let's see. Which one or two shall I send to......Arthur?” She looked up quickly to catch Marci's reaction.
The smile was gone and an ashen blank stare was in its place.
Everyone noticed it. Sheila sensed that her joke had crossed a line with Marci so she was quick to apologize, "Marci, I don't have his e-mail address and neither of us has messed with your laptop. I sware to you, I was only joking. Really."
Marci breathed a sigh of relief. She managed a shy smile as she said, "You just took me by surprise that's all.” She looked at Brian as she tried to explain, "Arthur's been my best friend in the whole world. He was with me when my granny died. And, he promised me a few days later that he was going to be my number one best friend. True to his word, whenever he saw me going into the doldrums about my granny, he would do something funny and pull me out. He IS my number one best friend. Nobody even comes second. But, he feels like he needs to minister to the mountain folks in the Philippines and I feel like I need to press forward in the medical profession."
Brian furrowed his eyebrows as he asked, "The mountains of the Philippines, you say?” He had their undivided attention the way he said it. He looked at Sheila and Roberta and continued, "By the way Marci reacted, I guess she knows. The mountains of the Philippines have been the center of terrorist training for the past six years or so. Arthur very well could be walking into one of the most dangerous places on earth.”
He and Marci exchanged glances. "I still have some military contacts. I'll see if any have some info that I can share with you if you'd like."
"I don't know," smiled Marci. "I guess it depends on if it's good news or bad news."
Brian smiled back, "You've got a good point there. I'll edit the news for you if I can even get any."
"Thanks," she said. "He's talked a little about it and to be honest with you, what little he told me was more than I needed to hear. You'd better believe that his safety is on the top of my prayer list."
"I'll add it to mine, too," Brian said.
"Mine, too," Roberta offered. Sheila gave her one of those looks. "I mean ...uh...ours. Mine and Sheila. You know, when we pray together and all that stuff."
With a completely confused look on her face, Sheila said, "Oh, yeah."
With a beginning of a smile on her face, Marci excused herself by saying, "Brian, just place those books on my stack and I'll take them to my room. And......just have a seat and let me go freshen up before we leave, OK?"
"Sure, Marci," he said as he handed her the books. With the beginnings of a smile on his face, he added, "And, that'll give me more of a chance to get acquainted with your charming friends."
Sheila looked at Roberta and said, "Didja hear that Bert? We're Marci's charming friends. We need to remind her of that from time to time."
"Yeah," answered Bert, "like when she's in one of those moods.” Then to Brian she waved her hand and said, "You know."
Marci called out from her bedroom, "Ooops, I got an e-mail from Arthur with a video attachment. Hang on."
Bert looked at Brian and cracked, "I hope you've got an hour to spare."
A cackle of laughter came from her room as Marci cried out, "Those guys are nuts. I mean complete bonkers. Oh, my gosh, the neighbor's taking pictures.” The rest was garbled in laughter. She took the laptop into the living room and set it down on the coffee table and said, "Start that video all over and watch it. Brian, come over here and sit between them if you can control yourself," she said with a wink as she walked into the bathroom and shut the door.
"I'll try," he sighed as he scooted past Sheila and sat down between them.
Roberta turned toward him and propped her arm on his shoulder as she said to Sheila, "Sheila, you start the video and I'll try to start The Hunk."
Sheila started the video over and pushed play. The scene started with Phillipe and Barto just getting to the cowboy and Indian fight. As he made his first round, Barto stopped right in front of Steve, who was filming the whole event from the side lines. He stopped his motor bike and began to film Steve who was filming him. With the background noise of Indian war whoops and cowboy banter, they began to walk around each other with their cameras focusing and unfocusing according to their demand. A scream was heard from the direction of the Givens home. Both cameras whirled toward the sound of the noise. There was Terri holding on to her stomach and several glasses of tea spread all over the place.
As the cameramen began to advance she warned, "Steve Alan Givens, if you take one more step closer to me with that camera....."
Barto caught Steve's immediate 180 and you could hear him say, "Barto, look. They must have gone through a time warp. They're morphing into Star Wars."
There was a blur in the action as Barto's camera once again auto-focused on the warriors. Arthur and Mayumi had just gotten back to back and began their arm swings. As the banter went on there was some light laughter. However, when Max gave his line in falsetto that he was Lea, Sheila lost every cool she had.
From that moment until the video was over, she became the main attraction. Marci had come out of the bathroom and just stared at her. She had never seen Sheila this borderline hysterical over anything before. The common question being asked by everyone was, "Just what was so funny?"
She tried to talk but deluges of laughter kept her in a constant state of unintelligible gibberish. The only word that was recognizable was, "Who?” She finally got a hold of herself to complete a sentence, "Who is that and how old is he?"
Marci answered, "His name is Max and he is somewhere between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two. I'm not sure."
"Perfect. I'll take him. Tell Arthur to bring him home when he comes home.” She got up quickly and announced, "Whew. I've got to go to the bathroom. Excuse me.” On her way, she got accosted by a new round of laughter which heightened greatly after she shut the door.
Brian couldn't help but laugh at the way that Sheila was laughing. He looked at Marci and asked, "Are you ready to go?"
"I guess I am," Marci answered. "Where are we going?"
"I don't know. What would you like to eat?"
"It's only three o'clock and I'm not that hungry. How about some soup and sandwiches? We could go to McGurty's and then walk a couple of blocks to a real nice park. There are always plenty of shady places to talk."
"Oh, talk," Roberta mimicked as she mindlessly looked at her fingernails. She yelled at Sheila, "Hey Sheila, they're just going to go talk in the park."
That's all Sheila needed to tip her giggle cart over again. She did manage to say, "Have a nice time. We're really going to miss you.” And the laughter started all over.
Marci smiled real big and shook her head as she suggested, "Let's go. We won't get anywhere hanging around here, that's for sure."
As the turned to go, Brian asked her, "Do you need to put your computer up?"
Marci's eyes showed him a look somewhere between fear and despair as she told him, "The e-mails are not from Arthur. Anything sent to that e-mail address won't get to him either."
"Aha, that is perfect. Then, let's go. Roberta, I hope to see you again," he said.
"I certainly hope so, and under.........different circumstances, maybe?" she asked with a hopeful smile.
"You never can tell," was his answer.
As they walked down the stairs, he asked, "I bet there's never a dull moment when those two are together."
"You think so, huh? That WAS a dull moment for that floor. When the girls from across the hall come over it is better than any comedy club I've ever heard about. But, when everybody goes to their own rooms, they have laughed so hard that it is easy to go to sleep."
"Can you get me an invitation to that gaggle?"