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“I’ll be there around 12:30 … is that okay?”
“That’s perfect. I’ll let my dad know to expect his favorite professor for lunch. Give him something to look forward to.”
Jax chuckled. “He needs to go out more ifI’mhis standard for something to look forward to.”
“Mind what you say about his favorite professor,” Noah retorted with a snort. “My dad’s got good taste, and I inherited it.”
Look at my life!The thought warmed Jax as he ended the call. He had never for a moment thought he’d find Noah again, let alone be forgiven for breaking them wide open and being taken back into his heart. This was the stuff of fairytales, or romance novels where the happily-ever-after was guaranteed. How was this his life? What had he done to deserve this second chance? Whatever it was, he was beyondgrateful.
While he’d been on the phone, a message had come through from his new boss. Dr. Mann wanted to know if he would be available for the annual music department retreat. He read it with a smile.
[Dr. Mann: It’s a time for us to welcome new members to our team, welcome back the old ones, and plan for the year together. It’s more about bonding than work, but some work doesget done.]
He liked the sound of that. He knew once the year began there would be little time for them to do much in the way of cementing camaraderie, what with all the work they’d have to do with students. But team building was important in a profession where rivalries could tear departments apart. He was grateful he had landed in a place where comradeship was as valued as professionalism.
[Prof: I’ll be happy to join you, Dr. Mann. Just let me know whereand when.]
He had an hour to spare before he was due at Noah’s place, and not having anything else to do at the moment, he took himself off to the art gallery a stone’s throw away from the pier and lost himself in the beauty of the works by local artists. One painting of a violin caught his eye, and he immediately thought of Noah. Without giving himself a chance to think twice about it, he bought the piece and had it gift-wrapped. He’d decide when to give it to him eventually, but for now, he’d take it home and store it inhis room.
Lunch was moist, delicious cheeseburgers and home fries, washed down with lemonade. Alvaro was in his element, telling stories from his years as a conductor with Amtrak. Jax enjoyed how the old man’s love for his job shone through every word, even when he was recounting sad stories of derailments and job actions. His struggles to move up in the ranks as a person of color were retold with pain butno anger.
“It must be great to have nothing pressing to do these days, sir,” he commented.
“It was sometimes a challenge in the beginning.” Alvaro’s response surprised him.
“How so, sir?”he asked.
“I have always been a working man.” Alvaro’s accent thickened as he spoke. “To be without a purpose was a difficult adjustment for me, so I had to change the way I thought about what it means to be of use. Work had been my only motivation before I retired. Only when I understood that play can be a goal on its own did it become easier for me.”
“WhenPapitold me he was going to retire in Florida so he could play golf with his buddies, you could have knocked me over with a feather,” Noah interjected with a grin. “I’d never seen him so much as watch a golf game on TV.”
Alvaro chuckled. “Do you see how golf is played? The players walk, or they ride in a golf cart if they’re tired or it’s far away to the next hole. They line up their shot, hit the ball … next! They don’t spend a lot of energy. Well,Idon’t.” He clapped his hands together sharply once. “And because I am not Tiger Woods,” he paused to chuckle gleefully. “I don’t have to perform for any audience at all. It is just me andmis amigoshaving a good time with each other out on God’s green Earth. That,Profesor, is my new purpose … to learn something different, to enjoy my friendships, and to breathe in fresh air and enjoy thesunshine.”
Jax liked the older man’s joyful attitude. “Do you miss work sometimes, though?”
Alvaro’s smile softened. “Oh, I miss it every day, but the feeling only lasts as long as I give it roomto do so.”
“And how long is that,Papi?”
Alvaro’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Until I have my first cup of coffee in my favorite mug sitting in my favorite chair, here or back inFlorida.”
Noah laughed. “I hear that. Not having to get up at the butt crack of dawn, or work until the wee hours and having quality coffee instead of whatever drivel you can find mustbe nice.”
After lunch, as they were about to leave for their date, Alvaro said, “By the way,Profesor, I did not forget your request. I have a number that you can call to speak with someone about your legal needs.” He handed Jax an index card with a name and number. “The lawyer is my oldest friend’s son-in-law. He’s a good man. You tell him I sent you his way, and he won’t charge you an arm and a leg.”
He winked and Jax laughed with him. “Thank you, Alvaro. I’ll call him today.”
He made the call as Noah drove to the regatta. Matt Stabler didn’t pick up, but Jax left him a message anyway, making sure to refer to Alvaro in it. Then he put the phone away and turned to Noah.
“Aren’t we going to miss most of theregatta?”
“Maybe the first half, but it’ll still be fun to watch the rest. And we can have dinner there, so we don’t have to rush back.” He glanced at Jax before adding, “Unless you made plans with the Bells?”
“No plans. I’ll call to check on them later and just let Jim know I’ll be home late.”
A short pause later, Noah changed the subject. “What areyougonna do when you retire, Prof?”
Jax chuckled. “Not that I’m anywhere close to that yet, but I don’t really know. I’ve never given it much thought.” He stopped to think a moment, then added, “There’s one thing I do know, though.” He waited for the inevitable question, and Noah didn’t disappoint him.
