SOLITUDE
by
Robert Dominguez Jr.
March 10th, 2005
“The Last Entry”
Soon it would be nightfall, although without a watch it was hard to tell since all day, every day, the sun was never out, just total darkness. The weather was equally impressive reaching temperatures at highs of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and that was inside with all the heaters turned on in the middle of summer. Life was hard and unrelenting, but over the years I have grown accustomed to it. Food was scarce so having the greenhouse was vital to my existence. I would make it my priority to maintain the vegetable and fruits machinery, never wanting it to breakdown on me, one day without proper growing would normally cost me a few days of food. Having the greens grow also helped keep breathing, although it felt more laborious and dry, an almost normal function. That was of course if I needed to venture outdoors, but that was rare and most of the time there was never anything worth going outdoors for. As I write each of these words in my journal, I can only hope that one day someone will find my text and decipher what they can with it. Take all the experiments I have done and call them your own for all I care, but as my dying wish, please tell my wife, if she’s still alive, that I love her and will always cherish the memories that have kept me going all these years.
Yours truly, the scientist, husband, and unlucky soul,
John Calvin
Chapter One
The way it was . . . .
“Dr. Calvin!” screamed the eager and young student dressed in his white lab coat and spectacles.
“Slow down Martin,” said Dr. Calvin with an almost parent like tone. “What can I do for you?”
Martin looked up at the six foot even Dr. and said, “Word has it that you got accepted to join the crew on board the shuttle “Mt. Olives” destined for a remote satellite off the planet Pluto?” After a slight pause he continued, “Well, did you?”
The good Dr. hadn’t realized how fast word would spread of his new venture and decided not to leak too much information all at once. “I did in fact speak with the fine gentleman at NASA, but that doesn’t automatically reserve a seat for me; things like this take time, and furthermore, where did you hear of such things?”
“On the internet of course, well I hope you do get on. You deserve it, at least everyone thinks so.”
The students at the university adored Dr. John Calvin for his ability to teach physics in such an understandable manner. Students would get on waiting lists to take his class. Some girls had crushes on him; he was in rather good physical condition and kept himself busy with many outdoors activities, such as basketball and rugby. His wife Madeleine didn’t care too much for his admirers, but knew that she did in fact have a good man. John spent most of his afternoon getting his proposals ready for a second interview he had with the scientists in Houston tomorrow. He was greatly nervous and contemplated over numerous small details. He hoped that with his presentation, they would not only take his experiments with them, but him as well. Madeleine spent all afternoon cooking a delicious salmon for John who sat over it, staring off into the distance, and void of any emotion.
“John, what’s wrong?” asked Madeleine, although deep down she already knew.
John was brought back to reality when he heard his wife speak; he always thought her voice sounded lovely, especially when she whispered, “nothing darling, just thinking.”
“About tomorrow I presume?”
“Darling, I do apologize if I’ve been taken back by all of this nonsense of space and what not. I can’t shake the feeling that maybe they won’t like my proposal.” John looked down at his plate with a look of doubt. Confidence was a virtue John excelled in, but this endeavor might prove to be more than even he could handle.
“John,” said Madeleine as she tenderly grabbed his hand that lay palm down on the kitchen table, “you’re a very brilliant man, I love you no matter how things turn out, just know that I’ll always be by your side.” John lifted his head and saw his beautiful wife with her long dark brown hair that fell across her small shoulders. He loved when she spoke with her soft Spanish accent and how soft her skin felt against his hand. Just then, all doubt left his presence, and an air of confidence resumed its position.
“Darling, why are you so good to me?” asked John as he stared deep into her hazel eyes.
“Because I am your wife, and I will always be here no matter what obstacles we should face.”
“You say we without hesitation,” a smile gleamed across John’s face, “it's times like this that I know you truly love me, I only hope that you know that I love you just as much.”
“I know John, I know.” The two then kissed over their dinner and continued their conversation over what John would say tomorrow in Houston. As the night drew on, Madeleine couldn’t help but feel a sense of darkness shroud her being, as if a cloak of solitude attached itself to her and wouldn’t let go. She tried to listen to John, but at times only saw his lips move for she was too taken back by such a horrible feeling. Later that night the two went to bed; John tossing and turning due to nervousness, while Madeleine lay still staring at the ceiling, and for the first time, feeling unsure.
“Copyright © 2005 by Robert Dominguez Jr. All Rights Reserved.”