This is episode fifty-seven of the novel, From Here To 1137 AD.
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Good News, Bad News
For a reason not known to Tom, he entered the Earth’s solar system. He felt the need to just view Earth. And for a while, fantasize what life for those he knew and loved might be turning out to be. He stopped Hubble at a distance where Earth looked like a tennis ball suspended by nothing on a lit stage in a dark theater. Tiny blue and home.
Tom was awakened from his deep musings by, “A darter is approaching,” Brain said. “It is Gordon.”
It was not unusual for Gordon to visit. It was a part of his duty to check on Tom. They usually spent a couple of hours together and at times as much as a couple of days. These visits kept Tom informed of any progress that was made in the ability to break through the cosmic barrier wrapped around the Earth.
The darter docked, and Gordon walked down the hallway in his usual friendly manner.
“Tom,” he said, holding out his hand, “I have great news.”
“The Browns are in the Super Bowl?” Tom responded.
They shook hands.
“We’re working on that one,” Gordon said.
“Let’s sit down,” Tom gestured to the chairs in the lounge.
They sat down. Both relaxed and smiled.
“Tom,” Gordon said, “you can go home.”
There was a long pause.
“Isn’t that what you wanted to hear?” Gordon asked.
“I’ve waited twenty years to hear that,” Tom said. “Ten years ago, I gave up. I resigned myself to my current circumstances. I’ve thought about this day, and I convinced myself, I will be out of place, the proverbial square peg in the round hole, the zebra in a herd of horses.”
“Tom,” Gordon said, “if there is one thing I have come to know about you, it is that you are adaptable. To borrow an expression from your day, ‘you can turn on a dime.’
“Everybody has moved on,” Tom said. “Their lives have a rhythm. I would disturb that rhythm.”
“I have been able to collect some information to let you know what’s going on,” Gordon said. “I won’t bore you with the news items.”
“Brain has helped me keep up with the news and technological advances. I won’t exactly be a fish out of water. Brain is unable to collect the information that is most valuable to me, the personal things. I’m not so sure I want to find out. Life goes on without you, and people die. People change, some for the good and others otherwise.”
Gordon leaned closer. “I’ve researched others who have experienced years in exile from the ones they love and the social structure they have been exiled from. It is common for such individuals not to want to return for a myriad of reasons. Maybe we should talk about what may be holding you back.”
“Can you let me know what has happened to Edgar?”
“Edgar has returned home. He’s no longer in Tristan da Cunha. He and Gene Francis are law partners.”
“Talk about an odd couple,” Tom said.
“Yeah,” Gordon clicked his cheek, “who would have thought?”
“What about the family farm?” Tom asked.
“This is even more difficult to believe,” Gordon said. “Edgar farms it. Of course, that’s a lot for a guy who is a partner in a law firm to handle, so he has an old friend of his help.”
“Dad told me once that Edgar could be a good farmer if he put his mind to it,” Tom said.
“What about Gene Francis?” Tom asked. “How is he and Edgar getting along?”
“Gene’s getting up there,” Gordon said, “but he’s still a top-flight lawyer. Edgar and he get along well.”
“That’s good to hear,” Tom said. “What about the thugs in New York who were after Edgar?”
“That whole syndicate has been broken up,” Gordon said. “Most are in jail or dead.”
“That’s good to hear,” Tom said. “And by the way, how was the problem with passing the cosmic barrier finally resolved?”
“There was a revolt on our planet,” Gordon said. “We supported the revolt. Those responsible have been exiled to an uninhabited planet or killed in the rebellion. As of five days ago, the barrier no longer exists.”
“That’s really good news,” Tom said.
“Why are you avoiding what’s really on your mind?” Gordon asked.
“Maybe it’s because I don’t really want to know,” Tom said.
“I understand,” Gordon said. “There is some information I think you will most definitely want to know.”
“I trust you to be gentle with my emotions,” Tom said.
“The thing is,” Gordon said, “not too much is known about her.”
“What is known?” Tom asked.
“It is something that might change your mind about everything,” Gordon said. “She is in the hospital.”
“Hospital,” Tom confirmed.
“She is dying,” Gordon said.
For a moment, Tom felt as if all life drained from him. He could hardly muster enough strength to speak.
“Of what?” Tom asked.
“I don’t know what,” Gordon said, “but you should visit her right away.”
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