CLOSE PROXIMITY Read online

  “Mr. Erwin. Thank you for coming so promptly,” she said gesturing to a chair.

  James sat down and instead of going back to her desk she took a seat opposite him.

  “I came as soon as I could,” he stammered.

  “Thank you, I appreciate promptness. Now, I suppose you are wondering what this is all about,” she said and smiled..

  “Wondering isn’t the right word. Fretting is more like it,” he replied.

  “Fretting? Why would you do that? Oh, the part about the test?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Mr. Erwin, fretting is the last thing you should be doing. I wanted to let you know that you are the first student in my twenty years of teaching that has ever had a perfect point accumulation. Actually, you have done enough extra credit to miss an assignment and still have a perfect score. I just wanted to congratulate you and ask you how you have managed to do what no other student has ever done,” she said, crossing her legs.

  “Wow. I guess I never thought about it. I know I have done pretty well on my assignments and tests but I thought I had missed a couple of questions.”

  “You did, but they were the advanced ones that were for extra credit. Even those you got partial credit. I’m curious about the test scores.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Well this last test for example. You got one hundred and ten points out of a possible one hundred. You got the ten point bonus question right. How?”

  “I listen in class. Take good notes, read a lot and study hard.”

  “What do you read?”

  “Mostly your books. Molecular Collisions in the Interstellar Regions, The Process of Binary and Multiple Star Formation. I’ve read a few others but yours are better because I can relate them to the class notes.”

  “Very impressive. You actually read those things?”

  “You bet. I think it’s fascinating.”

  “You are indeed a different student than most I get. I don’t think I’ve had but two or three who have actually read my books.”

  “The truth is I’ve read them several times. Especially the Solar Corona and the Plasma Loop Influence. That is an amazing book,” James said.

  “Jim. Is it alright if I call you Jim?” she asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Good. Jim, you are a rare find. I have never done this before but would you be interested in working as an assistant on a new project that I just got the funding for? Please, I want you to think this over and not just give me a quick answer. It would mean extra work but you would get a stipend. I promise, if you say no, it will not have any impact on your grade in my class. You could quit coming tomorrow and you would probably still end up with an A with Honors in the class,” Montgomery told him.

  “Are you kidding? Of course I want to do it. I don’t even have to think twice. It is an incredible opportunity and honor to even be considered,” James said excitedly.

  “Jim, you really should think about it.”

  “Honestly Professor Montgomery, I don’t have to give it another thought. I am just thrilled to be able to work with you on this. And if it is okay with you, James is better than Jim really. I have never been very fond of the name Jim.”

  “Really. I think it’s quite distinguished. Jim Erwin sounds like a man who is going places. However, if you would rather be James, that’s okay with me.”

  “The name James doesn’t put you off?”

  “Not in the least.”

  “Well then if it’s okay with you James would be better.”

  “Excellent. When we are out of the public eye, Abigail or Abby is what you can call me,” she said.

  “I saw the A. Montgomery on the Syllabus but wasn’t sure what it stood for. I like it. You look like an Abigail,” he told her.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The rest of the semester seemed to zip by. James graduated with a 3.92 grade average and graduated Magna Cum Laude and was tied for third in the class of 6,976 graduating students.

  He applied for Grad School and had no problem being accepted. Between his grade point average and Dr. Montgomery it was a done deal.

  He took one week off from school and then started up in the lab getting introduced to the other grad assistants and project managers. Dr. Montgomery introduced him around and assigned Kelly Fields to bring him up to speed.

  Kelly was pretty sharp but it didn’t take him long to figure out that she was lacking in some areas. She was able to cover most of the time but James was a lot more knowledgeable about certain aspects than she was.

  It seemed fairly obvious that she had gotten the position by virtue of money and looks. He father was a huge donor to the University and Kelly was a drop dead gorgeous young lady.

  And while James was certainly no prude, he knew that getting romantically involved with someone like Kelly would eventually cause problems. It was difficult however. The more he resisted her flirtation the more she tried. It was becoming uncomfortable and he could see eventual trouble coming.

  “Are you gay?” Kelly asked him suddenly.

  “What? What brought that on?” James replied.

  “Are you?”

  “Good God no. I’m a good ole straight guy. Gay is so far from my thoughts you would have to count them in light years,” he told her.

  “You don’t like me then?”

  “Kelly. Stop it. Sure I like you. I’ve enjoyed working with you every day. But if you’re asking why I haven’t tried to hit on you, it’s simple. I have an opportunity that I never thought I would have. This project is a chance to change my life and I don’t want anything to get in the way of that.”

  “Well James, it doesn’t have to get in the way but you don’t have to pretend you don’t at least think about it.”

  “Sure I do Kelly. I would have to be blind and stupid to not at least let it cross my mind but then I have to look at the bigger picture and I can keep it under control,” James told her, trying to gauge her reaction.

  “Did you ever stop and think that it might be worth it?” she asked.

  “Come on Kelly. I don’t have a rich father and I am certainly not model material like you are. I’m going to have to work for a living. I have to make my own way in life. No one is going to look out for me but me,” he told her.

  “So I’m just another spoiled brat who has it made in life.”

  James didn’t answer. It was a trap. No matter how he answered it would be wrong.

  Instead he said, “We all have our pros and cons going for us. You have more pros than most. I have more cons. I’m going to have to work three times as hard to make something of myself.”

  “I may have to tell people you are gay since you are essentially saying no,” she said, not smiling.

  “Do what you have to do Kelly. If that makes you feel vindicated then do it. I honestly don’t care. I know who I am and that’s the most important thing to me, not what you say or others think,” James said turning and walking off.

  “I will,” she shouted after him.

  He just waved over his shoulder and kept on walking. He decided she wasn’t nearly as pretty as she looked on the outside.

  **

  Abigail was waiting for him when he walked into the lab to change into his lab coat.

  “I need a word with you,” she said and stepped into the hall.

  “Kelly came to see me. She asked if you could be put with someone else. I assume there is a problem.”

  “Not from my perspective.”

  “You wouldn’t jump her bones, right?”

  James blushed and just nodded.

  “That’s usually the case with a male that she doesn’t want to work with. Unless you are a conquest you must be gay.”

  “Did she actually say that?”

  “No, she never does. She just hints at it.”

  “She is something else,” James replied

  “Not the brightest person on the project is she?” Abigail asked.

  “Not even close. Why
is she here? Her dad?”

  “Exactly. That’s where a majority of the funding for this project came from. Without his financial support we wouldn’t be working on this.”

  “So the little rich girl gets a free ride.”

  “James, life isn’t fair. Those with a great deal of money can pretty much call the shots. The rest of us just live with what we can and throw out the rest of it. The strange thing is, Kelly’s father is a very decent man, unpretentious and humble. You would never know he was a millionaire many times over.”

  “She certainly makes up for it.”

  “Yes indeed. So, I want you to work directly with me from now on. I don’t know how this will affect your schedule. Take a look at it and let me know if there are conflicts,” she told him.

  “Wow. That’s super. I can work around any conflicts that crop up. My regular job is pretty flexible.”

  “Good. Just let me know of any problems,” Abigail said.

  “When does this change take place?”

  “Monday. 1:00 o’clock.”

  “I’ll be here. Thank you Professor Montgomery.”

  “No problem Mr. Erwin,” she said.

  The formality was for a student who stopped and was reading a bulletin board across from them. He was obviously listening to their conversation.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “As of this week, the Planet X project is going to escalate a couple of notches. The sponsors want to have a progress report within six weeks. What we accomplish during that time may well determine the future funding of the project. I’ve made a few changes so please pay attention.

  “Jessica, you are now working with Chloe and Kelly on the spectrometer analysis data we have logged. I want a concise statement, including the supporting evidence of the accumulated data, to date. Lewis, Andy, and Brian will be doing the supporting math. I want your work checked, double checked, and then checked again. Let me know when you think you have something or run into a problem. Ruth and Jeff will be on the telescope every other night. James and I will be taking the other shifts. People, we need to have some supporting evidence that a tenth planet exists or did exist at one time. We need to look far beyond the major asteroid belt. Think outside the box people. Any questions?” Doctor Montgomery asked.

  “When does this take affect?” Brian asked.

  “Now. James and I will work the telescope tonight and then alternate with Ruth and Jeff. I know six weeks sounds like a long time but trust me, it will be on us before we even realize it. No dogging, I need a hundred percent effort every shift. Anyone uncomfortable with that should come see me immediately. Anything else?”

  No one spoke up.

  “Good. Then Ruth and Jeff, I want you to come with James and me. I want to lay out the area we are going to concentrate in,” Montgomery said.

  She led them down the hall to where the newest telescope was located. They were lucky in some respects. The new version for the Synoptic Survey Telescope had only been online less than a year. It was one of the more advanced telescopes currently in operation anywhere. Using the latest technology in spin-cast mirrors it was a remarkable piece of equipment. A larger one was being developed but was several years from completion.

  Dr. Montgomery went over the declination and right ascension parameter assignments for the next two weeks. Every object was to be catalogued and checked against the SkySafari Manual.

  “I want you to check them against the Miao Jun Least Square Method of Celestial Body Location. If deviations occur, note them and bring them to my attention. I want facts backed up with supporting data.”

  “Holy smokes Professor Montgomery, I’m not even sure I understand the math behind the Least Square method. That’s a little over my head,” Jeff said.

  “I know it's daunting but get Lewis...no, better yet, Brian to help you if you get stuck. He can’t stand not being able to figure out a math problem. Pick his brain. He will be like a bulldog with a piece of raw meat,” the Professor replied.

  “Do we even have that manual here?” Jeff asked.

  She smiled, opened her briefcase and dropped the manual on the desk.

  “I thought you would never ask. I’m tired of lugging that thing around. Is everyone clear regarding his or her assignments for the next couple of weeks?”

  She got positive assurances all around.

  “Fine. James and I will be back in at 8:00 P.M. to relieve you. Make sure you leave everything for us to look over and we will do the same. Write neatly please. I don’t want to have to guess about anything.”

  She gathered up her things, said goodbye and left. James wasn’t exactly sure what he should do now. It was just a little after 2 o’clock. Jeff and Ruth flipped a coin to determine who went first on the telescope. Finally James decided to go eat and get in a nap if possible.

  CHAPTER SIX

  James arrived fifteen minutes before their shift was supposed to start. The last thing he wanted was to be late.

  “Is Dr. Montgomery here?” he asked, sitting down on the edge of the desk Ruth was working at.

  “No. She won’t be here until exactly 8:00 P.M. plus or minus thirty seconds.”

  “That punctual?”

  “You had her class. She starts at the click of the second hand and ends the same way. She is like that with everything. You have never worked with her in this environment have you?”

  “First time ever,” James confessed.

  “She will throw questions at you from time to time. Try not to blurt out the first thing that comes in your head. She throws in some fluff to see if you can cut through the clutter and get to the core of the problem. Critical thinking skills are really a big thing with her,” Ruth told him.

  “Thanks. That’s good stuff to know.”

  “And if you don’t know the answer, don’t try to fake it,” Jeff yelled from the telescope.

  “Got it.”

  “Got what?” Montgomery said, coming through the door with her briefcase in one hand and a sack in the other.

  “The changeover of shift routine. I was just going over how we hand off the system from one person to the next,” Jeff said smoothly.

  “Excellent. I must have heard wrong. I thought I picked up something about not faking it,” she said smiling.

  “Damn Professor, can’t we ever get anything by you?”

  “Apparently not. I’ll fill James in, you guys are relieved,” she told them.

  Within a few minutes they were settled in with the professor on the telescope calling off readings. She knew a good ninety percent of them without him having to look them up. She was amazing to work with.

  After an hour she had him come over and she showed him how to gather the data in a specific order. It sounded simple while she was explaining it but in reality he became lost almost immediately.

  “Don’t get uptight. You’ll get it. This is your first hour of your first shift. By the end of the night you’ll almost have it down,” she told him.

  “Almost?”

  “Oh my yes. You will mess up for the first couple of weeks. Just less often with the more time you spend working with the system. I know it, now you know it, so just relax and we will get through it together.”

  “You know Abigail I’m still a little fuzzy as to why I’m here instead of some of your more advanced students,” he said in between calling out the numbers of the locations of each body.

  “It’s fairly simple really. You’re smart, dedicated, and hungry. I like motivated people who are willing to go after what they want. I have a good many smart people around me but most are lazy. They expect to be handed everything. That just doesn’t set well with me,” she replied.

  “Well you’re right about most of that. I am hungry. Hungry for knowledge and I am willing to do whatever it takes to gain a better understanding of our universe.”

  “That’s a nice way of putting it. I had one student, quite bright really, who told me he intended to master the universe. To have total understanding. Now there is
a guy with unreasonable expectations. None of us here on earth are capable of a complete understanding the complex nature of the universe. I honestly believe it was created by a much higher being.”

  “Really? I’m surprised to hear you say that.”

  “Why? Because I’m a scientist?”

  “Well, partly. I guess I just thought you believed in the Big Bang Theory as far as the creation of the universe was concerned,” James said.

  “I am. I do. But the real question is what was before the Big Bang and who caused it? Spontaneity just doesn’t quite get it for me. Actually the whole theory behind spontaneity is flawed,” she told him.

  The night progressed and they soon had a routine. James still made more mistakes than he wanted to and some that Professor Montgomery just corrected without even mentioning it.

  By 6:00 A.M. his eyes were starting to see double. He noticed how many mistakes he was making since the last change of positions.

  “How do you do it? I mean, even switching off, six hours of looking is a real eyestrain.”

  “Believe me, in a few weeks you will be able to sit there the whole time. I’ll have to drag you off that thing. Especially when we start getting higher in the sky. The stuff we are cataloguing right now is just preliminary data. Where we will really have problems is when we start trying to determine what is beyond Pluto. Something is or was. The tenth planet is either lurking and we simply can’t see it or it has been broken up and become part of the asteroid belt or was flung out into space. One way or the other. That is what we want to determine. Proof that is it does or did exist.”

  “But if it’s gone, it’s going to be pretty hard to prove it was there.”

  “Ah my dear boy, that is where you are wrong. That is what you will learn all about. How to find what isn’t there. It’s easy to find what is there. The opposite is much more difficult but it can be done. I intend to teach you how,” she told him.

  He really was going to have to do a reality check. No one like Dr. Abigail Montgomery took a recent graduate and gave him that kind of opportunity.