This is episode thirty-five of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD. If you would like to purchase From Here To 1137 AD, it is available on Amazon in Kindle format or paperback.
Edgar Changes Professions
The pod sat down, shrouded, in the vacant winter cornfield. Tom exited it and walked to the house.
Tom wanted to consider Edgar’s future. He sat on a cushioned rocker in the living room. His dad and then his mother occupied that chair many times. They would glance out the large window to the right and stare at the road running in front of the house. Across the road, another field stood silent on a cold gray winter day. He imagined this was the place where they reasoned problems into a corrective course. It is where they sat when time was needed to figure things out.
He thought about Edgar. It was useless to figure out why he ended up in a gambling scheme. The short conclusion was a weakness, or perhaps—perhaps he wanted to win enough money to pay off his debt to the farm. He knew enough about Edgar that he very seldom took credit for something good or kind. He recalled Edgar saying one time that goodness and kindness are for those without the imagination to make it in the real world. And that nobody good or kind makes it to the top.
‘That’s what college did to him,’ Tom thought. ‘He wasn’t raised that way. When he left home, he hugged us all and cried. When he visited, he was arrogant and crude at times. Dad and Mom made excuses. They said he was studying too hard, and after college, he’d be himself again. But Dad and Mom never saw the side of him that I saw. He wasn’t a big brother. His behavior, to me, was cruel and oppressive.’
‘I cannot allow those things to overshadow the fact that he is my brother. He needs help.’
Two days passed—two days of thought.
During that time, Tom replaced the bed of a wagon. Several of the boards showed signs of extensive rotting. He envisioned himself stepping through a rotted board and being in a cast for six weeks.
After finishing the job, he put away the tools and took a moment to pridefully survey his work. He then closed the barn door and headed for the house.
In the kitchen, he heated a bowl of tomato soup and a toasted cheese sandwich. The phone rang. He put the dishes in the dishwasher and answered the phone on the wall.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Tom, this is Edgar. I’m in Cape Town, South Africa.”
“What’s the weather like?” Tom asked, happy to hear from Edgar.
“Incredible,” Edgar said.
“You sound good.”
“I feel good,” Tom said.
“What about Tristan de Cunha?”
“That’s why I called,” Edgar said. “I’m about to board a cargo ship for there. It will take around five days to get there.”
“I’m glad you called. Pay close attention. I have something very important to say.”
“Okay,” Edgar said, “go ahead.”
“When you get to the island, find the island’s administrator. Introduce yourself. He will be glad to see you. You have applied for a teaching position at the island’s school.”
“I did what!?”
“You applied nearly a year ago. At the beginning of your final year of law school, you met a man named Durwood Ambrose. He taught on the island several years ago. You were so fascinated by his experience that you made it your goal to teach there someday.”
“What in the world?” Edgar said. “I’m not a teacher.”
“You have taken some required courses that qualify you to teach.”
“I’m not a teacher,” Edgar repeated.
“For right now, you’re not a lawyer either. Being a lawyer or a teacher, it’s about communicating information, ideas, and persuasion. You sat through enough classes to know how to teach.”
“You sound as if they know I’m coming,” Edgar said.
“That’s right. They are expecting you.”
“How did this all happen?” Edgar asked.
“Edgar, trust me.”
“Do I have a choice?” Edgar said.
“Here’s what happened,” Tom began to explain. “I had some documentation sent from the UK to Tristan da Cunha. It approves you to teach at their school. It gives you something to do. You can’t stay on the island with nothing to do and no visible means of support. The documentation sent shows that you are certified to teach.”
“I don’t get this, Tom. How do you manage to accomplish all these things? It’s like you have connections with the CIA or something.”
“Just do what I told you to do. Don’t mention anything about New York.”
“Is this going to be my career?” Edgar asked.
“That’s up to you,” Tom chuckled. “Who knows, you may like it.”
“You’re having fun, aren’t you?” Edgar sardonically.
“No, Edgar, I’m not. There’s no fun knowing your brother’s life is in danger.”
“By the way,” Edgar said. “I got mugged in San Jose. But I think you already know that. I think you had a hand in the money being returned to me.”
Tom remained silent.
“Geez,” Edgar said, “something is going on here that I can’t even begin to fathom. I’m not even sure you’re my brother. Frankly, I don’t know if I should be scared of Grasso or more scared of you.”
“All I can say, Edgar, is that you’re my brother.”
“I’ll get in touch when I’m settled in on Tristan da Cunha.”
“Have a safe voyage,” Tom said.
“Thanks,” Edgar said.
And they hung up.
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