《The Other Side》A N O T H E R four

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The first four days of the semester are filled with the monotonous, obligatory droning on. A syllabus, office hours, or the usual introductory speech about the course or professor. As a seven-year college student, this part gets old.

Making my way across the courtyard in the science pavilion, I'm rushing to a meeting with my mentor, Dr. Allen. I'm supposed to help him record weather conditions at several Massachusetts beaches this semester.

Yesterday, I spent most of my time with him making copies of the syllabus for his Climatology 201 course. You have to smile through the boring days to get to the better ones. Today, today should be a better one. It's his project but I'm excited to assist.

When I reach his office, there is someone else there. I instantly recognize Dr. Robinson. I took a course with him last semester and the semester before.

"Connor Abbott!" He stands and shakes my hand. "How did Dr. Allen end up with you as his teacher's assistant? You should be working with me!"

"Don't try to swipe my T.A!" Dr. Allen gestures for me to sit beside Dr. Robinson in the seats in front of his desk. "We're working on a collaborative course this semester."

"I think you mentioned it," I nod.

"My Climatology 540 and Dr. Robinson's Marine Biogeochemistry 423."

"I took that course a few years ago."

"It's going to be a joining of the two courses. We want to create a cohesive course with a project where each of you will be able to bring something to the table."

"That sounds great." I relish social interaction and combining it with work.

"We got to talking and forgot about making the student pairs. We'll do that quickly so you and I can get down to business." Dr. Allen starts to search around his desk. "I have my class roster somewhere around here..." His mug of coffee tips over and spills across his keyboard. "Oh boy!"

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"Here, let me help you," I grab the mug before any more can spill out.

"Let me pull up my class list on the computer," he tries to dry off his keyboard. "Oh! I just remembered!" opening his drawer, he pulls out a piece of paper. "My class!"

I bite back a smile. Dr. Allen is one of a kind.

"If you don't mind, when you set the partners, can you pair me with your best and brightest?"

"Ah, if you want someone to keep you on your toes, I have just the student in mind!" Dr. Robinson quickly writes something down on his papers.

After they finish, I begin pulling out the maps for our research. When all of our camera points have been plotted, we gather the equipment and head out to the beach.

Nine stops and four hours later, we have everything set. I'm sweaty and sandy but filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"The cameras are going to need to be reset every forty-eight hours. It can be done remotely on the computer. Don't let me forget that!" At least he is self-aware of his overall disorganization.

"I'll remind you," I promise.

"Are you ready for the semester to begin?"

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it. I'll be taking a few courses this year that I've been waiting to take since my freshman year of undergrad."

"I met my wife in my third year of my doctoral program," he gets a dreamy look in his eyes as he remembers it. "Do you have someone special?"

"Oh, no, not me. I'm focusing on school and surfing. Maybe in a few years..."

He smiles at me, the same kind of smile that Sarah had on our date. The kind of smile that one gives to a piteous fool.

"Let's get back," he wipes the sand from his arms.

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