Ghost by Alan Lightman

Author:Alan Lightman
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780375425295
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2007-10-23T04:00:00+00:00

When the letter from Ms. Gaignard arrives, asking him to attend a conference of the Society, he hesitates only a moment. It is a two-hour bus ride, barely longer than the trip to his mother’s. He can leave on Friday afternoon and be back on Sunday in time to have dinner with Ellen at their favorite Indian restaurant.

On the bus trip to the conference, David is scarcely bothered by the unpleasant diesel fumes, the uncomfortable seats with the torn vinyl coverings, the rolling glass bottles on the floor. Instead, he is setting off on an adventure, and he has something to learn. Certainly, Ms. Gaignard and Mr. Mewhinney will be there, as well as some of the accomplished members and scholars of the Society whose résumés he has read. Absently gazing out of the window at the dingy gray towns streaming by, he wonders whether any of the gathered experts will be able to explain his “brief glimpses.”

“Mr. Kurzweil.” It is Ms. Gaignard, dressed beautifully as usual and carrying a handsome umbrella, although no rain is predicted. “I wasn’t sure that you’d come,” she says, and gives a little laugh. “I admire your courage.” She touches him on the shoulder as if he were an old friend. “This is a challenging group we have here, fascinating but challenging. Now you’ll see us in our full glory. We have so much to share with you, Mr. Kurzweil. May I call you David? Everyone is thrilled by your experiments with Sam Tettlebeim.” David nods, remembering how Ms. Gaignard always manages to flatter him without being superficial. “Sam is actually here, to present the results. I hope you won’t mind.”

“I didn’t know…”

“You shouldn’t worry,” says Ms. Gaignard, seeing his concern. “Sam is very professional.”

“I won’t have to say anything, will I?”

“That’s completely up to you.”

Does he sound like a whining schoolboy who’s afraid to get up in front of the class? What does Ms. Gaignard think of him? Is he simply Exhibit A? He looks into her face and can see only confidence and sincerity. She has an intelligent face. And she takes care of herself. The inevitable age lines have been artfully covered by makeup, while her hair has been left to turn silver naturally. To David, Theresa Gaignard is a woman in control of her life, and at peace with it. Never, he thinks as he watches her gently twirl her umbrella, has he been at peace.

“We want you to be comfortable, David,” she says. “It must be difficult for you being here by yourself. I really don’t like traveling alone.” She pauses. “My husband never comes to the Society’s events. Not that he doesn’t support me one hundred percent. It is just…you know. I wish he would come, but he won’t.” She hesitates, as if she were about to say more, but then excuses herself to greet another arrival.

In the hallway, David sees Dr. Tettlebeim. The doctor smiles and nods, but only in a formal way, as if he were a psychiatrist acknowledging the acquaintance of a patient outside the office.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.