Randi

She also told me about your wife, and while no two experiences are exactly the same, I have a very good idea what you're going through. If you ever want to talk to someone who's 'been where you're going' I'm available. Yes, I'm well aware I'm close to your daughter's age and have no right to be talking like I'm the more experienced one, but in this case—sadly—it's true, if even just by a year or so.

I don't know if my mom mentioned it, and for that matter, I'm not sure why I'm mentioning it to a total stranger, but my dad cheated on her and broke her heart. I still love him, but I'm mad as hell at him, so, yes, I'm kinda rooting for my mom to find someone. I'm not hinting around here, mind you—just sayin'! -:)

If you don't think I'm a total flake by now, I wouldn't mind being friends with you on FB, too.

Take care,

Randi (and Chloe)"

"I was not expecting that," Eaton said out loud before re-reading her email, too.

After reading it a second time he found himself smiling and saying, "What a pleasant surprise."

He had no idea how Randi had gotten the idea he was coming 'home' for Christmas, but that reminded him he needed to call his parents. He also needed to reply to both Randi and her mom, but he was terrible at corresponding so he put off the emails in favor of a phone call.

"Mom? Hey, how are you?"

"Hi, David! I'm doing very well. How are you?" she asked the same way he always asked Mac.

"You know, I'm feeling a little better the last couple of days, Mom," he told her truthfully.

"I'm so glad to hear that, sweetheart."

"Hey, I was gonna ask Dad if you guys would mind too much flying out here again this year. Mac has a new boyfriend, and she says it's getting serious. She's even invited him to come home with her and meet me so it must be a big deal. So...how does that sound?"

"Well, I don't think that's going to be possible this year, David," his mom said rather flatly.

He could tell by the tone in her voice something was wrong.

"Mom, what's going on?" he asked with concern.

"We've been waiting for the right time to tell you this, and I suppose this is about as right as it's going to get," she said soberly.

"Tell me what, Mom?" he said feeling that sick feeling he'd felt from the moment Ruby had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor a little over a year ago.

"Your father has ALS," she told him so directly it floored him.

Too stunned to respond, Eaton said nothing.

"Lou Gehrig's disease," his mother said thinking he might somehow not know what ALS meant.

"Since when?" he finally asked.

"Well, he kept complaining about stubbing the big toe of his right leg whenever he walked. That started maybe a year ago or so. As a matter of fact, it started at your place when we came to visit, but we didn't think too much about it. Then it got to where he was tripping fairly regularly. He kept telling me it was like his foot wouldn't 'listen'. Then he was having trouble opening jars or bottles, and we thought it was probably just arthritis, you know? I mean, we are in our 80s."

"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked knowing the answer.

"You father told me not to," she said confirming his suspicions.

"How bad is it?" he asked dreading the answer.

"He can still get around with the aid of a walker, but it won't be long before he'll confined to a wheelchair. His speech is still reasonably good although he's started having trouble with his 'esses' lately."

Eaton knew ALS progressed at different rates from a couple of years from onset to death to many decades as in the case of Stephen Hawking, the modern-day Einstein who'd had motor neuron disease since the age of 21. He was now over 70 and still alive. Well, his mind was still alive anyway. His body was horribly contorted from years of being unable to use any of the muscles in his body.

"So anyway, I'm afraid flying is out of the question," she told him.

"I want to help, Mom," he said without giving it a second thought.

"Don't be ridiculous. You have your teaching, David. I'll be able to manage for a while longer, and then we'll get someone here part-time and then eventually full-time. Fortunately, money isn't really an issue for us, but there's just no way I'll be able to handle too much more on my own. But for now, I really am doing fine. We're doing fine," she added at the end.

David Eaton's father had been his hero all of his life. He'd been a pillar of strength and a mountain of a man. He knew his parents had excellent health insurance and money, but those weren't the things that were causing the knots in his stomach. It was that his 84-year old dad, who had always been there for his son, now needed more help than his 81-year old mother could provide, and eventually, no amount of help would be enough.

"I'm not exactly loving my job these days, Mom. And I can take a sabbatical for a year or two and...."

"David, you can't afford to take two years off work. You have a house and a life there. And that's where Mac considers home. I could never ask you to uproot your life and move out here."

"You're not asking, Mom. I'm volunteering. And I'm more than well enough off financially."

That was, in fact, true. They'd saved quit a bit over the years and especially after Mac finished her BA and before Ruby got sick. They'd also taken out term life insurance policies on the recommendation of his dad the year after they got married. So worrying about money wasn't something that kept David Eaton up at night. He'd never be Bill Gates, but he had a very tidy sum available, and he could easily afford to take a year or longer off from work. For that matter, he could still write and publish, and make a little money on the side no matter where he lived, so that wasn't even a real consideration.

"I'll finish out the last week of the semester then fly home right after Christmas. I do want to meet Mac's new 'fella' and I know she's really looking forward to coming home. I also know she'd insist I leave right now if I told her, so I'm not gonna spring this on her until after Christmas, okay, Mom?"

"I agree with you. There's nothing she can do anyway, and telling her will only cause her to worry and ruin whatever good feelings she's having. And I promise I won't spill the beans when she calls," she told him. "And David? I...I really could use your help. It's less than two weeks away until you get here, but the way this is progressing, I'll almost certainly need it by then, so thank you for offering."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Mom," he told her sincerely, feeling sure she hadn't let on to just how bad things were to avoid worrying him even more.

"It'll be so good to see you!" he heard her say in a voice that sounded bravely cheerful.

He could feel the emotion in her voice, and his mother wasn't an overly emotional person, so he knew this was already hard for her. He could only imagine how difficult it would get as he father got worse.

"You, too, Mom," he said. "Does Dad feel like talking?"

"No, not really, David. He's a little self-conscious about slurring his 'esses', and I'm the only one he feels comfortable talking with. Well, except for our doctor, of course. I know he doesn't want you to see him like this, but he'll be very glad you're home once he sees you. I'm not going to let him know you're coming because he'd insist you stay in Montana. So we both have secrets to keep, don't we?"

"Yes. Yes we do, Mom," he said before telling her he loved her and asking her to pass that love on to his dad. She promised that she would then hung up leaving him there to deal with yet another shit storm life had sent his way.

It was several hours later before he remembered the emails. At least now he could tell both of the 'new women in his life' he would be flying home for the holidays. It would actually be after Christmas and before New Year's, but he would going back to the place where he'd grown up and had called home until he finished his PhD at 27 and moved away when Mac was just a baby.

After getting something to eat, Eaton sat back down and got ready to reply to the two FB messages. He decided he'd start with the one from Molly first.

"Molly, It was really great hearing from you. Thank you for your kind words about my late wife, Ruby, and I'm very sorry to hear about your divorce. You were absolutely right about life throwing...stuff...our way. In fact, I just had some more thrown my way."

He explained the conversation he'd just had with his mother as well as Mac's plans then said, "So although I'd intended to stay here in Montana over the holidays, I'll be flying into Seattle right after Christmas. Maybe after things settle down for you, we could get together for a cup of coffee sometime and catch up on um...old times. And no, I'm not implying we're old, either!"

He then explained how he'd 'liked' all of Randi's photos and that he'd gotten a message from her, too.

"So now I have two, new, beautiful friends in my life, and if I'm allowed to count Chloe, who's already a very pretty little girl, then make that three. It's been great hearing from you, and I look forward to staying in touch and getting together. I guess I'll literally be seeing you in another week or two! David."

One down and one to go.

"Dear Randi. It was a very unexpected-but-pleasant surprise to hear from you. I was concerned you might have thought I was some crazy stalker who'd hacked your FB account. Thanks for understanding. I just couldn't help but 'like' your pics as you not only have your mother's good looks, the pics were all so genuine and enjoyable with the exception of those that were both moving and heartbreaking.

And no, I'm not grading your work! :)

All kidding aside, (well, I wasn't exactly kidding about your looks as you are a very beautiful young woman), I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. It's not easy at any age, but at least Ruby and I had many happy years together. I feel so bad that you and Jason—and Chloe—were cheated out of those years. But as someone recently reminded me, life often deals us some really crappy hands."

He then told Randi the same thing he'd told her mom about his dad having ALS and that he'd be flying back home soon.

"So while we can't change things that have already happened in life, I think I'd very much enjoy talking to someone 'older and wiser' where this kind of tragedy is concerned. Getting someone else's perspective who's been where we're going can be very helpful.

Perhaps the four of us (you, me, your mom, and Chloe) could all get together at some point. If you have nothing better to do with your time than listen to a couple of old fogies taking a trip down memory lane, that is. :)

If not, perhaps you and l will have the opportunity to talk at some point in the near future. For now, it was very nice getting to know you via correspondence, and I look forward to an actual meeting in person. Sincerely, David Eaton."

Eaton didn't check FB again until just before bed, and when he did, he chuckled when he saw two more message from Molly and a reply from Randi.

Molly went on and on about how excited she was to be able to see him and offered to pick him up at the airport. That was all well and good, but when she hinted about having a spare bedroom in her home, warning bells went off in his head. It may have been nothing more than genuine friendliness, but in spite of not having dated for nearly 30 years, he couldn't help but think it might be something more; something in which he still had no real interest.

The second email was more of her gushing about his 'homecoming' and contained her phone number along with a comment he could call her anytime, day or night. It was signed, "Love, Molly" and that, too, gave him even more cause for concern.

Randi's reply was a lot more interesting, and by the time he was done, he found himself very much looking forward to a face-to-face meeting with someone he believed was mature beyond her years and who seemed to possess real insight into human nature.

"Dear David, It's been my pleasure 'meeting' you, as well, and I would very much like the opportunity to talk with you. I'm not opposed to doing so with my mom, but the chances are very good something political will come up, and let's just say we don't see eye to eye. I do my best to avoid arguing with her, but I can't remember a time for many years now when she hasn't found some way to make something political. Sometimes she's so over-the-top I have to respond. Truthfully, I wish she'd just let it go, as I have no intention of trying to change her mind, and she's certainly not going to change mine. I guess she's just very disappointed that I found Jason's take on the subject more to my liking than hers, and I think deep down she resents him for being what she considers a 'bad influence' on me which is ironic considering he was the most caring, loving man I ever knew. Other than that, we get along wonderfully well, but when there's a bogeyman behind every tree, talking a walk in the woods stops being much fun.

Sorry for sounding so negative, but I wanted to forewarn you. I guess if you share her political views, you won't find them as off-putting as I do. I won't presume to know what you think about anything, but being a college professor tells me the odds are stacked in 'her favor'."

There were some smiley emojis followed by a few more lines.

"Other than that, I'm interested in a wide range of topics, and although I only have a lowly master's of science degree in chemistry, I think I can hold my own reasonably well on most subjects. I did check you out (on the university's website) to find out what you teach, and I have to admit economics isn't one of my strong points. But if you want to talk about covalent bonding or the problems with Lamarckian genetics, I'm your girl!

Sorry for rambling. My mom's right about one thing, though. I really do need to get out more. Then again, I'm just now getting to where I even want to be around other people so I'm taking it very slowly. I've been fortunate enough to be able stay home with Chloe and as much as I love her and miss being around other adults, stimulating conversation isn't exactly her forte! Then again, she's only four so maybe I should give her another year or two, right? -:)

I hope I'm not taking up too much of your time. I really don't get out much so when I find someone interesting, I tend do that. Ramble, that is.

And before I forget, why is it people your age always talk about being 'old' when you aren't? You don't look or sound old based on what you've said so far, and since you're my mom's age, you're not chronologically old, either. So give the whole 'fogey' thing a rest, okay? And as you so rightly noted, I am older and wiser than you, and don't you forget it! Well, on one topic, anyway.

I won't bother you again, but I do hope we'll be able to have a chance to talk once you get back here. Take care, David. Randi."

Eaton had already forgotten what Molly wrote and when he remembered, he had no interest in replying. But he had to force himself not to reply to Randi even though he very much wanted to do so immediately. Then again, it seemed a little silly. After all, she was maybe a year older than Mac, and he, um...wasn't. Then again—again—that sounded even more ridiculous as she was just being a nice person; a person who had something in common with him that no one wanted to experience.

Two days passed in which Eaton was so busy with work he hadn't had time to respond to either Molly or Randi. Then there were finals the three days after that, and he was bound and determined to finish a paper he'd been writing on the morality of laissez-faire capitalism and private property. He knew it would be given a scathing review by his peers in the Economics Department, but he'd been a fish out of water at the university since the day he arrived and no longer cared what they thought.

By now, everyone who knew him knew where he stood, and where he stood was far from where most university professors lived in terms of politics and economics. In fact, he was the only tenured professor in his department who wasn't a liberal progressive enamored with big government, and more specifically government spending, as the favored solution for all social ills.

As a Libertarian, Eaton was not only used to being called 'the token' but was a vocal defender of his views, views that didn't sit well with the vast majority of professors nationwide or a large majority of undergraduate and graduate students who attended universities. In fact, he reveled in the kind of spirited debate that often erupted when he submitted a paper for peer review as it gave him the opportunity to not only defend his personal views but to poke holes in those held by his detractors. Like Randi, whatever her beliefs might be, he had no delusions about changing anyone's mind. He just enjoyed pointing out what he saw as inconsistencies in the beliefs they fiercely held as a kind of 'gospel truth' even as they eschewed anything close to the actual gospel. Then again, he wasn't a religious man himself, so he had no right to cast stones where that topic was concerned.

It was a little after 10pm when he grabbed his laptop and reread all three messages.

He quickly tapped out a reply to Molly explaining how busy he'd been and asking her forgiveness for not getting back to her. He assured her all was well, but specifically avoided exchanging phone numbers or calling her. If they hit it off after getting together, that would be a possibility. But for now, he had no desire to spend time on the phone with someone he really didn't even know, especially if she was going to be hinting about something physical happening between them.

After changing a few words to make it sound much nicer and more optimistic, he hit 'send' then focused on the message he actually wanted to respond to and began typing.

"Dear Randi, I didn't take anything you wrote as negative. In fact, I found your comments to be very interesting. While I do teach economics, I'm more interested in politics, but I think you'd be very surprised to learn where I stand on issues, especially if you are assuming I'm a liberal Democrat. I'm not, but I'm not a conservative Republican, either. I won't say anything more as I don't want you to rip into me before I have the chance to make a good impression on you. (I realize that's an uphill climb, but I do hope that will be the case, and I certainly don't want to scare you off before I have that chance!)

Just so you know, you're not 'taking up my time'. It's been quite the opposite. I've found corresponding with you very refreshing, so if you ever get so bored you can't stand it and have nothing else to do, I'm happy to read anything you might care to send my way. (Other than work, I don't get out much, either.) :)

Lastly, thanks for letting me know you don't consider me to be a 'fogey'. Or were you referring to people my age generally and sparing my feelings because I really am old?"

He also used some smiley faces before telling her again how much he'd enjoyed their exchanges.

"Take care, David."

Satisfied with what he'd written, he hit 'send' then laid down and tried to sleep, but sleep wouldn't come. Around midnight, he was tired of trying and got back up and went to make himself the proverbial glass of warm milk to see if it might help him get to sleep.

As the milk warmed in a pan on the stove, he tried again to figure out what was keeping him awake. The only thing he could point to was his 'discussion' with Randi, but that made no sense as he'd been around countless women her age, and dozens of them as attractive as her over the years. So while her looks didn't hurt, Eaton had to admit there was something about the way she expressed herself, but even that didn't make a lot of sense as she was by no means a superb writer. Maybe it was what came across as a kind of genuineness that he found so appealing.