When we get hit by snow, I may get trapped here a few times instead of making it to work, but this is the perfect level ofdistance from society. I take a long pull from my beer and let my shoulders relax for the first time all day.
This is exactly what I needed after years of living too close to other people.
Sitting in the school's auditorium, I'm amazed at how the staff has grown through the years of my being a science professor here at Paranormal Orphanage and Academy. My boss, Dean Murphy Atwater, stands on the stage making his typical annual announcements.
The auditorium buzzes with the energy of teachers ready to start a new school year. I recognize most of the surrounding faces, but there are at least a dozen new hires scattered throughout the crowd. POAA keeps expanding, which means more opportunities for paranormal orphans who need a safe-haven.
"I saved the best for last," Murphy announces, and the room quiets. "An anonymous donor is donating a literature wing to POAA for the middle and high schoolers."
Our lit professors are the loudest when we clap and cheer at the news. I'm genuinely excited about this development. I always felt bad that the science department was given way more space than my fellow lit professors.
When the staff meeting ends, I bump into Princess Mair, my boss's wife, out in the hallway.
"Lorne! I'm so happy to see you," she says.
"Yeah?" I say, confused.
"I'd like to introduce you to someone."
"Okay?" I say, still confused.
"Well, what I mean is I'd like to set you up with someone," she says, looking up at me earnestly.
"A blind date? Oh, ma'am, I'm just a simple mountain man, and I'm not good with things like that."
My stomach immediately knots up. I haven't been on a date in over two years, and that one ended poorly when she couldn't handle my preference for quiet evenings over social events.
"Seriously, I truly believe that you two would get along incredibly well."
"I don't know if that's really my vibe, ma'am," I say, and I can tell by the way she flinches that I'm speaking too gruffly.
Suddenly, Leonardo pops his head in, interrupting us.
"I'm sure what Lorne is trying to say is that he'll consider it, Mair," he says. She grins at him, and he turns to give me a slap on the back.
"Fantastic!" she says before walking off.
"What the fuck?" I hiss at Leonardo.
"Dude, that's not only your boss's wife, but your boss as well, so maybe just humor her," he hisses back.
In the afternoon, as I walk to the parking lot, I bump into Murphy and Mair heading in the same direction.
"Hey there, Lorne. I hear my wife has found you a hottie," the dean teases while his wife gives him a playful smack.
Stopping, I say, "I don't know, sir."
"You're a science nerd, but you also always seem to have your nose in a book. Ever read A. Childers?" Murphy asks.
"Oh yeah, I love their stuff," I say, perking up.
For the first time today, I feel genuinely interested. Childers tackles actual issues like class inequality and social justice. Their writing has real weight to it.
Mair grins as Murphy says, "Well, that's who your blind date is with, Romeo."
3
Alana
