Chapter 4

Chapter 4

We stood there holding hands, talking about our year and then Marty came busting into the room. I let go of Zack's hands and turned to welcome Marty. They left a short time later.

As I had just received my Masters Degree, I was sent to the mid-west, to Minneapolis, Minnesota to teach in one of our colleges and later to Los Angeles when I started to work on my doctorate. I didn't see Zack for the next six years. During those years I lost all touch with him, but I did occasionally receive letters from one or two of the girls who had been one of the Firsts.

All they seemed to know about Zack is that he was still good looking and was in the Army. I never heard any more about him. But that didn't mean that I never thought about him. I still had that crystal (I called it the ice berg) and that yellow sticky on it. The yellow paper wasn't sticky any more and I used scotch tape to hold it on.

Zack had become a one of those warm wonderful memories that we treasure.

After receiving my Doctorate, I was sent to a small university just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was teaching subjects I loved, to students who wanted to learn. I had a couple of undergraduate classes and a few graduate classes. I was in heaven.

I was lucky enough to have a paper published in a rather prestigious journal and in March of the following year was asked to speak at a conference of mathematicians, in St. Louis. The people running the conference would be footing the bill for the flight and the hotel room, but I was on my own as far as meals went.

The money that was given to me by the order was more than enough to pay for my food, just as long as I didn't eat out every night. I was comfortable with the situation. And I was very excited about giving my talk. I was also very nervous. I would be talking to people who knew my subject as well, if not better that I did and many who formulated postulates that I had worked with.

I arrived at the hotel on Sunday afternoon, as I was giving my talk on Monday morning they wanted me there on Sunday. After unpacking my bags, I went down to the lobby. I was going to go out for a walk, I had never been in St. Louis and wanted to see the city. I also thought as this was my first night here I could splurge and I would have dinner out.

As I walked through the lobby I saw what I thought was a familiar face. I looked closely and thought, "Oh my God, that's Zack...that's Zachary Miller." He had really grown up. There walking through the lobby was not a young boy but a man. A very handsome and mature man. It seemed that he had a slight limp...but I didn't pay attention.

I gawked. I was lucky that there were no tables or desks in front of me or I would have walked into it. Without thinking I blurted out, "Zachary Zachary Zachary Miller."

He looked up at me and smiled. Then it was like he really saw who was talking to him. His eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. In an instant he became that eighteen-year-old boy in my homeroom at St. Steven's.

He still thinks that I'm beautiful? The way he was looking at me really made me feel that way.

He took a couple of steps and then he stopped and looked all around. I thought that something was wrong and said, "Zack, is something wrong?"

He looked up at me and smiled that mischievous smile and said, "Just checking for loaded desks, can't be too careful you know."

I started to laugh and took both of his hands in mine and said, "Oh Zachary it's so good to see you. But, what are you doing in St. Louis?"

"I'm here at the Maritime Symposium, I'm giving a talk tomorrow in the early afternoon. The organizers wanted me here tonight. So here I am. But, what are you doing in St. Louis, the last I heard you were out here in the mid-west, teaching at some college."

"I'm in New Mexico now, just outside of Santa Fe. It's a small university and I'm teaching math to undergrads and graduate students. They sent me there after I received my doctorate. I love it," I said.

He smiled and said, "That explains why you look all tan and healthy. A doctorate? I'm really impressed. Tell me do I call you Doctor Sister Carol or Sister Doctor Carol?"

It felt good to see that he hadn't changed, still a tease. I laughed, "Just Carol will be good." Then I realized what I said and I closed my eyes, knowing what he was going to say.

I heard him laugh and then he said, "No, I won't say what you are expecting...that would be too easy."

He then gave me a big smile and said, "But it may be hard, you've always been Sister Carol, but I will try, Carol."

"You still haven't told me what you are doing here. Or is it classified, on a secret mission and I could have blown your cover."

I rolled my eyes and then said, "I'm speaking at the Mathematicians Convention, I am also speaking tomorrow, but in the morning and that's why I'm here tonight."

I went on, "It's really nice, they are paying for everything, my flight and the room. The only expense that I have is my meals. I'm on my own for that."

Zack broke into a big grin and said, "That's wonderful, now you won't be able to turn down my invitation to dinner. I'm sure that the Order has you on a rather tight budget, so I have all intentions to take up the slack."

"In fact I am meeting a couple of Army buddies tonight and..."

I started to laugh and interrupted, "Zack, you don't want me along with a bunch of Army buddies."

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