The Geographer's Library

The Geographer’ s Library
not just an obit anymore. The story intrigued me as much as it did your
nephew. Something isn’t right with all this. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t
have to say it comes from you; I can attribute it to ‘a colleague’ or ‘a source in
the university.’ But the story does need actual quotes.”
Professor Jadid gazed out the window. We were right at the edge of downtown,
and in the late-afternoon winter light, the buildings looked like a jumble
of cinnamon-toast Legos, mellow and sweet. The river caught the light and
looked warm and golden, though in fact it was probably freezing and corrosive
to the touch. “Let me consider that request. It would be a shame were my
department to be maligned. You certainly are engaging in a commendable
amount of investigation, considering the size of your readership.”
“Size of readership has nothing to do with it,” I said, perhaps a bit more
sharply and defensively than I should have. “Besides, there’s an editor in
Boston who’s interested. Could lead to a job in Boston.”
“That’s wonderful news. A prestigious paper in a major city at your age?
Outstanding. Full congratulations are in order, as are two glasses of brandy,”
he said, signaling Maura at the bar. “It may not be my place to mention this,
but you always struck me as the type of person who is both ambitious and
frightened of your ambition. Is that accurate?”
“I don’t know, really. Frightened? Probably not. I like doing well.”
“Indeed. I would hardly dispute that. I would just remind you that if
ambition unleashed can be ruthless, ambition chained to as firm a sense of
decorum and propriety as you clearly possess is essential. Do good, Paul, but
that does not mean that you shouldn’t also do well. Perhaps you require a few
lessons on this subject from Ms. Park.”
“Mia. How is she?”
“One of the smartest students I have ever had the pleasure to teach. And
one of the most argumentative. I must say, intending no offense, that I have
no small amount of difficulty seeing the two of you as a pair.”
I laughed. “You’re not the only one. Much better as friends than we were
as a couple, though I’ve hardly seen her in almost a year.”
“It happens. I won’t pry too much by asking you about this music teacher,
but if you’re fond enough to blush over her, it must be something indeed.
Good luck.”
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