Chapter 2
Lorne
In the lab, I find my fellow science professor Leonardo already poking through the boxes on the table.
"Looks like our order is all here," he says, looking over at me.
"Fantastic. We can actually start on time this year," I say, opening the box next to him.
As we log the order and put things where they belong, music plays on the radio. We work quietly and efficiently until Leonardo says, "Wait, I just realized that you didn't walk here from the residences."
"Nope," I say. "I'm officially all moved in. I'll have to have you and Dana over for dinner once I'm fully unpacked."
The lab supplies are more extensive this year. New microscopes, updated chemistry sets, and some equipment I've been asking for since I started here. The kids are going to love the upgraded spectrometers. I pull out a box of petri dishes and stack them methodically in the supply cabinet.
"Alright. I'm holding you to it, and you know I'm going to make you cook that sage and butternut squash tortellini again."
Smiling, I say, "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
Leonardo grins and continues unpacking while humming along to the classic rock station. We've worked together long enough that we move around each other efficiently, each knowing exactly where everything belongs. The familiar routine feels good after a summer away from the classroom.
I leave the windows open, letting in the late August mountain breezes as I hang up the last picture in my living room.
Turning around, I take in the sight of my tiny one-room cabin.
I had the option of buying this place or a larger cabin that's even more remote, but I chose this rustic little space because I enjoyed how authentic it feels.
The larger cabin had more modern appliances, but I wanted something that felt more authentic.
The cabin suits me perfectly. Rough-hewn log walls, a stone fireplace that takes up half the main wall, and wide plank floors that creak in all the right places.
My books line makeshift shelves along every available wall space.
The kitchen is barely big enough for one person, but perfect for just me.
A simple gas stove, a small fridge, and a coffeemaker cover my cooking requirements.
Grabbing a beer, I walk out to the front porch and settle into the wooden rocking chair.
My driveway and woodpile sit in the foreground, but beyond that, it's just trees as far as the eye can see.
The silence is complete except for the occasional bird call or rustle of leaves.
No voices from neighboring faculty apartments, no footsteps in shared hallways, no sounds of communal living.
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 of distance 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."