Flirting with Fifty

Jack drove from the airport to his Mission Viejo apartment lost in thought. Traffic was heavy going south, but he was able to take different roads to get home, avoiding all the red brake lights.

It had been a really good weekend. He’d enjoyed getting away, and he was glad Paige had gone with him. The weather had been ideal. October could be unpredictable, but they’d had warm, clear days and cold, clear nights. He’d enjoyed seeing the park through Paige’s eyes, and she been a really good travel companion. Undemanding, cheerful, curious, fun. He just wished Sheila had kept her mouth shut, but that was Sheila: always talking more than she should.

At least Paige had told him what Sheila had said so they could talk about it. He wasn’t without a history. He’d always got along well with women. He appreciated them. He liked the physical as well as the mental stimulus. Yes, there had been a number of women in his life, but there hadn’t been many serious relationships. He didn’t do serious, choosing not to invest in long-term.

Jack didn’t enjoy hurting people, and he didn’t like to disappoint, either. It was better to be up front with those he dated. Fortunately, there were plenty of women who preferred things casual, and they, like him, appreciated the pleasures of a physical relationship without lots of complications or commitments.

He wasn’t sure Paige fit into that category. He wasn’t sure she fit into a category. But was that good, or bad? He wished he knew.

*   *   *

Tuesday after class and office hours, Paige met Jack outside the door of Dr. Keller’s office. Paige was nervous. Jack didn’t seem to be worried at all. “Are you really this calm?” she whispered.

“Should I not be?”

“What if he doesn’t approve?”

“He’ll approve.”

“He might not.”

Jack shrugged. “Then we’ll think of something else.”

“I imagine he’s going to have an issue with the logistics—twenty-four students, six flights, thirty-five hours travel. I’m not trying to be negative, but I’ve been trying to imagine all of his objections, and I expect he’ll have many. Who’s going to handle the bookings? Who will get the visas organized? I’m assuming we need visas?”

“Once we get Dr. Keller’s approval, the rest will be easy. It’s just a matter of making the air reservations, securing the space in Arusha, and making sure we—” He broke off as the door opened and Dr. Keller appeared in the doorway and gestured them in.

Paige drew a quick breath and followed Jack in. They took chairs opposite Dr. Keller’s broad desk, covered with tidy piles of books and folders. “I understand from Jack there’s a hitch in the field study,” Dr. Keller said without preamble.

“The university’s science center in Costa Rica is under water,” Jack answered. “They’re in a state of disaster.”

Dr. Keller looked tired, and troubled. “What is your plan, then? You said you had one.”

“I do,” Jack said. “I propose we shift the field study to Arusha, Tanzania. I have a strong relationship with the African Institution of Science and Technology. My students from Princeton go three times a year, and have for over a decade. The biggest challenge is getting there, but once we’re there, it’s going to be an outstanding experience.”

“Wouldn’t the airfare be considerably more?” Dr. Keller asked.

“Maybe a hundred more per person.”

Dr. Keller frowned. “We can’t tack that on to the student costs. They’ve already paid in full.”

“Could the university absorb it?” Jack asked. “If so, we could make this work, and I think the students would have the experience of a lifetime.”

The university president was quiet for a long moment, a finger pressed to the side of his nose. “What about your coursework? I understand the class has been focusing on the biodiversity of Costa Rica. Science isn’t my field, but somehow I doubt that Tanzania will be the same.”

“I’m not worried about it,” Jack answered. “We have over a month before we go. I can shift some of the research now. They’ll be prepared.”

Dr. Keller looked at Paige. “What are your thoughts? How do you feel about the change?”

“I was surprised,” she said truthfully, “and worried about parents’ reactions. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of traveling so far. Americans don’t really understand African politics, economics, or culture, which is why I think this trip would be good for our students.”

“You’re not apprehensive about taking twenty-four students to Tanzania?” Dr. Keller persisted.

Paige glanced at Jack. His gaze was warm, his expression patient. She envied his ability to go through life so at ease. She longed to be more like him. She craved that optimism and peace of mind. Her focus returned to the university president. “I wouldn’t be comfortable if Jack weren’t so comfortable, but this is his area of expertise, and he’s spent years studying the savannah’s biosphere.”

Dr. Keller’s brow knit, and his fingers steepled together. “There isn’t any place closer? Easier? What about Yellowstone? What about the wolf habitat program? The bison studies? Isn’t there anything you could do there?”

“Montana in early December is cold,” Jack answered. “The park closes most of its programs for the winter. We could maybe get lodging, but we wouldn’t have meals. I don’t think we’d want to spend five days there let alone ten. If that was our only option, I’d suggest canceling the field program rather than trying to pull off something there.”

Dr. Keller’s gaze was fixed on a spot on his desk. His fingers bent, then straightened, then bent again. “What about Argentina, haven’t you done things there?” he asked. “Patagonia, I think it was? Or Brazil?”

“Why does Tanzania scare you so much?” Jack asked.

Dr. Keller shrugged. “It’s the distance and, to be honest, probably my ignorance. I know we’ve had students study abroad in Africa, but that’s always been handled by our study programs, programs that have been in operation for decades.”

“We will be working with a program that has been in operation for almost twenty years. Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, USC all work with them, as does the University of Dresden, University of Milan, Hanyang University, Beijing Institute of Technology.” Jack paused. “I forwarded you the Center’s educational programs and partners. There are forty-six universities around the world working with the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology; it’s a highly respected program pairing East African students and academics with international peers. There are a number of different dorms and lodging options, and we were lucky to find space at my favorite. They’re holding space for us now. If we don’t intend to go, I’d like to let them know sooner than later.”

Dr. Keller leaned back. “Perhaps this could be the start of a relationship with Orange and the institute in Arusha.”

“I would think so,” Jack agreed.

Dr. Keller’s expression turned wistful. “I confess, I’m envious. I wish I could go. All of my travels are centered around meetings and panels in vast hotel ballrooms. Bland conference rooms. Weak coffee setups at the back. Nothing so exciting as a trip to East Africa.”

“Perhaps we can get you there in the future. Check out the program and form a relationship with the directors,” Jack said.

“You’ve convinced me. I’m on board. So, how can my office help?” Dr. Keller asked. “What can my staff do to assist?”

Jack rose. “I’ll send an email today with the checklist.” He extended his hand to Dr. Keller. “Thank you.”

*   *   *