Ends of the Earth by Tim Downs

Author:Tim Downs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Nicholas—I’m delighted you could make it.”

Nick turned and found Noah Ellison beaming up at him. The old man was dressed in a simple black blazer with a silver tie. “What do you do at these things?” Nick asked.

“You don’t do anything, Nicholas—you just socialize.”

“That’s what I was afraid of.”

“You just need a little practice, that’s all. Here—I have just the thing.” Noah turned and motioned to his wife across the room. She politely excused herself from a conversation and approached. She was dressed in a glittering silver dress with a single strand of white pearls around her slender neck. Her hair was silver-white, and her smile was just as warm and endearing as her husband’s. “Sweetheart, you remember Nicholas, don’t you?”

She extended her fragile hand to him, and Nick held it like a wounded dove. “Of course I remember. How are you, Nicholas?”

“Fine, Mrs. Ellison. Thanks.”

“Sweetheart, we have a bit of a problem. It seems Nicholas has forgotten how to socialize. I was hoping he could practice on you.”

“I’d be delighted. Why don’t you go and greet our other guests, dear? Leave Nicholas to me.”

As Noah ambled off, Mrs. Ellison leaned closer to Nick and said, “Tell me, Nicholas, do you despise these things as much as I do?”

Nick blinked. “It’s your party.”

“I know. They always sound so lovely when I plan them. The truth is, I don’t really care for socializing either—I prefer quiet conversation between intimate friends. I mean, how many times can you ask, ‘And what is it you do?’ All of these people are academics—I’m always afraid they might tell me.”

Nick smiled. This was a truly gracious woman.

“You’re his favorite, you know.”

“What?”

“Of all the faculty in the entomology department—of all the young men my husband has ever mentored—you are his definite favorite.”

“I’ve definitely caused him the most trouble,” Nick said.

“The beloved prodigal,” she said. “The child that causes you the most pain is often closest to your heart.”

“Your husband is the best,” Nick said. “He almost makes me wish I were human.”

She smiled. “You’re more human than you think, Nicholas—and I think you socialize quite nicely. You don’t require my services, so if you don’t mind I’ll tend to my other guests.” She patted his arm and moved on.

“Dr. Polchak! Do my eyes deceive me? Is it really you?”

Nick turned. It was Sherm Pettigrew, dressed in a white dinner jacket and a black bow tie.

Pettigrew looked down at Nick’s khakis and loafers and the natty brown blazer that he wore over an old polo shirt. “Looking a little casual, aren’t we, Polchak?”

Nick held out his car keys. “Pull it around, will you? And watch the paint.”

“I couldn’t help noticing you’re alone.”

Nick looked around. “So are you.”

“Not for long. I find these little interdepartmental soirees excellent opportunities to meet women with similar intellectual abilities.”

“Have you tried the mental hospital? They dress in white too.”

“Do I detect a note of bitterness? At the risk of rubbing salt in a wound, what happened to the lovely companion you promised to bring?”

“She’s coming.

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