Good News. . . Bad News

Dang, this line is long, thought Ron. But that’s okay, he reassured himself.  Not many graduate students are invited to present a research paper at an engineering conference. He resisted the temptation to pace.

“Good morning,” said the woman at the registration desk. “So, Sir, you are a dentist from what state?”

Dentist?  I must be in the wrong line.  This line is not for the engineering conference, he thought.

‘’Ma’am, I’m not a dentist.  I’m here for the engineering conference.  Where is the line for that?”

‘’Sir, the engineering conference is next week, not this week,” she said, as she looked around him at the next person in line.

No! he heard his brain shout.

“Sir, today is the 21^st. The engineering conference, like I said, is next week on the 28^th.  Please step aside.  Others are waiting,” she said, her fingers tapping on the table.

I've got to get back to the airport, pronto, he thought as he sensed panic.  His body froze momentarily, and his vision blurred. He was overcome with a sense of dread.

‘’Honey, I’ve got good news and bad news,’’ he announced to his wife, Serena, from the airport payphone. “The good news is I’m safe, and I can still present my research someday, at least. The bad news is, I came a week early.”

‘’WHAT?’’ she gasped. ‘’Wait-hold on-I’ve got to sit down. Did you just say that you went there a week early?’’

He hesitated, wanting to be sure that she was safe and wouldn’t fall.

‘’Yes, I went a week early.  You know I just don’t do dates and schedules; I never have.”

‘’Only you, Ron, only you.  Okay, get home safe.  We’ll talk tonight.  I still love you, sorta,’’ she said in a brighter tone.

Ron boarded the return flight.

Serena called the airline and asked if they could get a refund.  She was transferred to a manager who asked her, “Well, is he on the plane?” 

‘’Yes, but he didn’t want to be.’’

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a situation like this before,” he explained.  “If he got on the plane and flew, he has to pay for the ticket.”

Bourbon has never tasted this good, Ron thought, as he chugged a shot at the airport bar.

“Bartender,” he called loudly, his hand waving with one finger extended.

“You must be really thirsty,” said a well-dressed older gentleman joining him at the bar.

WOW.  He looks and sounds just like my father. Is that spooky, or what? he thought.

‘’My name is Theodore.  People call me ‘Ted, ’’’ he said, extending his hand for a  shake. ‘’You here on business?’’ he asked.

‘’I wish,” groaned Ron, attempting to sit up straighter.  “You want to hear a story?  I’m not sure about you, but my plane doesn’t leave for two hours.’’

“Right.  Sounds like we're on the same flight.  What’s your story, young man?”

Ron was glad to talk it out.

“Part of my story is an old story. When my wife Serena and I first met in college, she would ask me where I was headed.  I had to ask her what day of the week it was.  I would look in my notebook for the schedule.  When she told me what time it was, I could tell her where I was headed.  At the time, she thought it was hilarious.  A counselor explained that I have a personality quirk that causes me to be chronically terrible with dates and schedules. I’m better now, but sometimes it’s still an issue.”

“So, you got tripped up today?’’ he asked.

“Dang straight, I got tripped up.  I’m working on my doctorate in engineering.  I was due to present a research project I had worked long and hard on.’’

‘’So, what was your research project about?’’  asked Ted.

‘’I believe that crop residues can be mechanically processed to produce biodegradable construction materials. I’m very passionate about this topic.  I like to think I can contribute to society, the environment, and the economy.  My research paper was accepted for presentation at an engineering conference.’’

‘’Congratulations,” praised Ted, with eyebrows raised.  ‘’That sounds really impressive.  I have to admire your passion.  I’m very interested in the environment, and the economy just like you.  I think you have a lot to look forward to.’’

“It didn’t happen. I did my lifelong Time screw-up thing,” he groaned. ‘’I thought the conference was today.  I just found out that it's scheduled for next week.  I came a week early.”

‘’Can’t you just come back next week?” suggested Ted.

“It’s not so simple.  Money is really tight.  I’m on a tuition scholarship, but that only goes so far.  My wife is on unpaid maternity leave because we just had a beautiful son, Theo, last month.  We barely paid for today’s ticket.  We're broke; we don’t have a way to pay for a second flight.’’

“Tell you what.  It would be a big loss if you never presented your research.  I have a personal deep interest in environmental issues, including climate change.  I believe that we should all take responsibility for any actions we can take to help the environment.  What if I pay for your ticket for next week? We can do that right now, today,’’ Ted offered.

“Oh, sir, I can’t let you do that.  I just don’t feel like I deserve it.’’

‘’Sure, you can,’’ asserted Ted, turning in his stool to face Ron directly.  ‘’You absolutely deserve some assistance.  My father’s business success, which I inherited, resulted from excellent engineering advances.  That would let me sponsor good engineering research and help a young family, so it would actually be doing me a favor.  I insist.’’

“Wow.  I don’t know what to say,” Ron said as he waved the bartender away.

I knew it; he does remind me of my father.  Dad used to talk about the importance of helping each other.  He would have approved of this, thought Ron.

Returning from his presentation the following week, Ron was ecstatic.  Serena wanted all the details, and she shared in his joy.

‘’It went really well,” he exclaimed. ‘’Nobody stood up after my presentation, but there were a few claps.  Lots of people came by to congratulate me.  One engineer introduced himself and asked me a lot of detailed questions.  He was really interested in my work.  That felt SO good.”

Wanting to pass on the good news, he called Ted. ‘’ I just wanted you to know how well my presentation went.  I really appreciate your generosity.  I’m glad that I got your business card so that I could call you.  I’m going to text you my number, and I want you to know I’ll update you whenever anything major happens.  Serena and I would love to have you visit when you’re in town, like maybe for Christmas.”

“I appreciate that, Ron,” replied Ted.  “Tell you what, let’s just plan on this Christmas. What do you think?  I really look forward to meeting your wife and your son.”

“Great!  We’ll just plan on that for sure,” agreed Ron.

As time went by, Ron checked in with Ted periodically.  Ted appeared to enjoy the conversations and looked forward to the updates.  Ron described important milestones, such as completing his doctorate, and he shared numerous anecdotes about Theo.  As a result, the friendship deepened.  Eventually, Ted visited and took pride in Ron’s progress.  Ted especially enjoyed meeting young Theo, and they appeared to form a close bond.

Just before graduation, Ron approached Serena, bouncing on his toes.  ‘’Honey, let’s sit on the patio.  The sun is setting, and it’s beautiful out there,” he invited her.

‘’We worked long and hard for me to finish my doctorate.  Theo is four years old now, and enjoying preschool.  You seem to be enjoying your job too,’’ he congratulated her.

“Right on both counts, Buster,” she quipped, smiling broadly.

‘’I have some great news. As you know, I’ve been applying to different corporations.  I just got a call this afternoon from a chief engineer.  He told me there was a lot of competition and many applicants for their job, but one thing in my vita stood out.  That same engineer had listened to my research presentation at that conference years ago.  I remember we talked afterward.  He actually remembered it well.  He told me the presentation was what made me stand out, and why they were offering me the job as a materials engineer.  What do you think?’’

“You did it,” she bragged, hugging him tightly. ‘’Just make sure you let me know  what day you start.”

Gotta call Ted, he thought.

“Ted, something amazing just happened.  I just accepted a job as a materials engineer, a dream job for me’’ he announced.

“We’re all so proud of you, Ron.  You will personally play a role in protecting the environment.  I’ll be in town next week.  Let’s have a big celebration at that fancy restaurant.  I’ll come early so I can get some playtime with Theo,” Ted suggested.

Ron and Serena had time to reflect on the past.  “You know, if I hadn’t tried to go to that conference a week early, I would never have met Ted.  I know without his help on the presentation I wouldn’t have gotten this great job, and the future wouldn’t be nearly so bright. Can you believe that a bad thing like going to a conference a week early led to a wonderful thing like meeting Ted, and even to getting this wonderful job?” he concluded.

“Life is funny.  Sometimes, bad news can turn into good news,” she replied.