"The Portal"

By Rodd Dana

When twelve year old crippled, friendless Andrew Yeager is advanced from the sixth to the eleventh grade in his California school, he finds himself immediately alienated by his classmates. His extraordinary IQ, coupled with the fact that he wears a brace on one leg makes him an easy target for the class 'jocks' who bully him relentlessly about being a 'smart-ass geek and probably a fairy to boot'. However, at the end of the dreadful school year, everything changes for Andrew when his father inherits a multi-million dollar estate in the mountains of northern Georgia.
The family flies to Georgia to investigate the incredible estate and during their exploration, Andrew and his father discover a beautiful but strange pond in a forest on the property. Andrew is forbidden to swim in the pond until his father can have a sample carefully evaluated. However, the boy surrenders to an overwhelming urge and disobeys his father. As he enters the pond, he is surprised to find the water very warm, and he soon experiences a strange tingling sensation all over his body. Unnerved by the strange experience he leaves the pond and returns home. During the night he awakens and through his window, which looks out in the direction of the pond, he sees an eerie violet light glowing faintly where the pond must be.
Early the following morning he goes again to investigate. He is disappointed to find no light, yet having grown comfortable with the tingling in the water, he swims to the pond's bottom where he does see an eerie violate light. Swimming close, curiosity overrides caution and he extends a hand toward the light. The tingling sensation he felt on the surface suddenly increases to such an extent that he jerks his hand away and shoots to the surface, terrified. However, after careful consideration he knows he has to further investigate and returns to the bottom. Swimming close, he again extends his hand toward the strange light. As the tingling increases dramatically he tries to withdraw his hand, but to his horror he feels himself being rapidly drawn into the light. In the terrifying moments that follow, he finds himself falling into a nightmarish phenomenon that will forever alter his young life.
An eternity later, he awakens to finds himself floating on the surface of what he assumes to be the same pond. However, he is immediately accosted by a pretty blond girl who angrily informs him that he is swimming in 'her pond' and he is trespassing on private property. In the ensuing conversation with the girl, Karina, he quickly understands that he is not in his world, but in some kind of parallel reality. Soon realizing that something truly magical is afoot, the two youngsters quickly develop a shared curiosity as to how Andrew can put his hand into a strange light and end up in another world. She says that her friend and guardian, Werner, had a similar experience six years before, and he will surely be able to explain the strange phenomenon.
In the hours that follow his meeting with Werner and Karina's seven foot tall personal android, Andrew learns, to his delight, that Werner is not only an American scientist, but is also the grandfather he has never known. Werner further relates how he accidently preceded Andrew into this parallel world six years before, following the creation and firing a monster laser that created the pond. He believes the light in the pond is a true Einstein-Rosen Bridge that is the link between their parallel worlds.
Over the days that follow, Andrew and his new friends find themselves in a race against time to save both their worlds from destruction. If they fail in their attempt to prevent an evil military group from gaining control of the ‘space-warp bridge’, both of their worlds could face ultimate destruction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rodd Dana
• Release date: Jan 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370778508

Book preview

PROLOGUE

As he shot out of the water, he grabbed a frantic mouthful of air. Still confused from the frightening experience of a moment before, he spun in the water and thrashed his way to the pond’s edge. Dragging himself onto the bank, he turned and sat for a long moment just staring into the ominous darkness of the water. Why had the strange thing frightened him so? It’s just a light for heck sakes, he thought. Then his ever-stubborn inner voice whispered, but why on earth would there be a light at the bottom of a pond?

As his confused mind attempted to find some degree of rationale concerning the strange phenomenon, he suddenly recalled the decorative lights he had seen at the bottom of swimming pools and fishponds of his parent’s friends. They were always the same plain red, green, yellow, or blue. But the strange light that had so frightened him moments before was like nothing he had ever seen. It had pulsated rhythmically between a vague violet hue and a brilliant white. It looked almost…organic, he thought. And why would it be at the bottom of a pond in the mountains of northern Georgia? His questioning mind screamed for answers.

"Weird!" he muttered aloud, as he pondered the strangeness of the phenomenon, as well as his own fearful reaction. Shoot, he thought, it’s probably just some naturally occurring phenomenon caused by some minerals reacting with one another. Maybe I should wait until my dad can check it out. However, following a few more pensive moments, he felt himself surrendering to an uncontrollable urge to see it again. He was certain there had to be more to the mystery than just some easily explained chemical reaction.

Without further concern for his fear of moments before, he waded back into the water. When it was almost to his waist, he took a couple of deep breaths, then feeling driven by a relentless compulsion he did not understand, he dove headlong toward the center of the pond. Reaching the bottom, and seeing the weird glow from the light, he moved in closer. After moving another pair of large rocks, he could clearly see the strange phenomenon. It looked like a slowly pulsating bit of some kind of…photon protoplasm, though he could not help wondering where that thought had come from. He knew that he had less than half a minute before his lungs would demand he return to the surface, so, refusing to surrender to his fear, he moved even closer and cautiously extended his hand toward the light.

Before he could think about what he had done, he felt the eerie tingling he had experienced earlier on the surface, yet now with far greater intensity. Frantically, he attempted to withdraw his hand. But in a moment of terrified realization he knew he was being pulled into the light. He wanted to cry out, yet in the same instant found himself paralyzed in fascination by what was happening.

In one brilliant flash, the light disappeared. In its place he now saw ever growing streams of brilliant, multicolored particles of light swarming at him from all directions. His mind spun frantically as he stared half in terror, half in awe at the incredible kaleidoscope of colors streaming relentlessly at him. Then in a moment of sudden realization, he realized that the colored particles were not swarming at him, rather, he was moving so fast that the particles were now mere streaks of undefinable colors streaking by him. He was flying wildly into an unknown, unimaginable illusion that overwhelmed him with sensations he did not understand. A part of him wanted to scream, while another part felt exhilarated and excited.

After an eternity of borderline terror, mixed with strange feelings of fascination, he found himself wanting desperately to merge with whatever was happening. In that strange moment he surrendered to emotions he did not understand. No longer caring about anything, he allowed himself to be absorbed into the streaming multicolored fantasy...

and...the unknown.

******

CHAPTER 1

Part One

University of California

Santa Cruz, Calif.

May 30, 2016

12:18 P.M.

"Jonathan! Wait up!"

The tall man at the top of the university administration building stairs, glanced over his shoulder to see his colleague, Dr. Fritz Lauder struggling gamely up the steps. He smiled and sighed, glancing impatiently at his watch as he waited for the elderly, overweight professor to catch up.

Arriving at the top of the stairs, the elderly man said, So my boy, attempting to catch his breath, on your way to lunch?

I was headed that way, but I got a page about some mysterious phone call. I’m heading to my office.

I’ll accompany you, said the elderly man, still attempting to catch his breath. You are aware are you not, that you are long overdue for sabbatical?

I know, Jon sighed, but there is just too much work to be done with the new laser. The Lorentz CPT violations project is a long way from where it should be, and Liz is only halfway through the Simian anti-rejection serum project. We’ve decided to remain on campus this summer to see if we can get caught up, he sighed. Seems the faster we go, the more we fall behind.

"You work far too hard, my boy. Your work is certainly important, and even though you have a good many years of excellence ahead of you, it might be the greater part of wisdom to take some time off. You haven’t had a serious break in over three years, you know."

Yes, yes, I know, Jon answered, solicitously.

What about young Andrew? He have any plans for the summer?

We’ve looked at a wonderful science camp in Oregon. Since we shall most likely remain here, we’ll probably send him up there for a couple of months.

"Science, science! Heavens Jon, don’t you two ever think of anything else? There are other things you know, especially for a boy of twelve."

Jon turned abruptly, saying, Well, here we are, not wishing to pursue the conversation. If you’ll forgive me, Fritz, I’d better see about that call. He turned toward his office, leaving his elderly friend standing in the hallway.

The exasperated man shouted, kindly, "You remember what I said young man! Take some time off!"

Jon smiled, knowing his elderly friend meant well. As he walked into his outer office, his secretary smiled up at him, saying cheerfully, The call’s on two, doctor.

Thanks Em, he said, continuing into his office. He closed the door and walked to his desk. Dropping into his prized Arhaus Burroughs leather chair, he reached for the phone, and then paused, not understanding why. He suddenly had an odd feeling of apprehension concerning the call, yet in the same instant he felt an excited expectation he did not understand. He shrugged off the strange feelings, pressed the blinking number two button, and said, This is doctor Yeager.

Good day, sir, said a voice with a definite southern drawl. Ah’ do so thank you for taking my call. My name is Harrold Daubergen. I have a law firm in Gainesville, Georgia.

Lord, I hope no one’s suing me, Jon said lightly.

Heavens no, nothin’ like that, the voice responded jovially.

Uh, Mr. Dau… stumbling to pronounce the name.

Daubergen, an old Danish name, the voice chuckled jovially.

Yes. Well, Mr. Daubergen, my time is a bit strained right now. Would you be so kind as to tell me what this is about?

Well sir, initially, I must verify that I am indeed speaking with Doctor Jonathan Yeager.

You are, Jon answered impatiently, attempting to belay his irritation.

And, you are head of the ALR research department of the University of California.?

Correct, he said, annoyance again finding its way into his voice. Look, just what is this about, sir?

Forgive me doctor, but this is a rather delicate matter, and I must ascertain that I am sharing this information with the proper person.

Just what information? Jon asked, still trying hard to remain patient.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and he heard what sounded like the shuffling of papers. At last, the voice coughed, saying awkwardly, Well, it would seem doctor, that you have come into quite a bit of property.

Jon sighed, attempting to maintain his patience, As I say, sir, my time is severely challenged at the moment. What kind of property?

Well, sir, since you are Doctor Jonathan Yeager, your late father has left you his entire estate, along with a rather sizable amount of money.

Okay, that’s it. I don’t know who the hell you are, sir, but my father died in an accident in 1965. He didn’t leave a cent, and never left a will.

Please sir, do hear me out. I am handling this badly. If you will just give me a moment, I am certain this can be explained.

Jon impatiently took the receiver from his ear, looked at it for a long moment as though thinking of hanging up, then obeying a strange voice from somewhere that insisted, this is important, he said, Look, sir, I am a very patient man by nature, but you are beginning to strain that patience.

I am so sorry, and I shall do my best to explain. You see doctor, for many years my firm has handled the estate of the late Dr. Werner Sebastian Yeager.

Jon said, derisively, Never heard of him.

I don’t doubt that, the voice mumbled. Actually, Dr. Werner Yeager was at one time one of the most brilliant minds in the scientific community. However, owing to a rather bizarre and tragic set of circumstances he…well, he eventually became a complete recluse. Aside from infrequent contact with myself, I doubt any further information concerning this brilliant man or his work has ever surfaced.

I still don’t understand how this concerns me.

"Well, sir, according to the doctor’s will, as well as a good deal of attending documentation, the man was your natural father."

Now you are really trying my patience, Jon snapped impatiently.

Please, allow me to explain, the man implored. When the doctor’s will was read, the instructions prompted an investigation that has gone on now for several years. And the culmination of this lengthy investigation reveals that you are the only surviving heir to the doctor’s fortune.

Sir, this is beginning to sound like a bad ‘B’ movie script, Jon said. And I am approaching the end of my patience. I suggest you call my attorney.

"I have already been in contact with Mr. Andelson. He thought it might be best if I contacted you directly."

Good lord, the plot thickens, Jon thought, as he asked, Just when did you speak with Shelly?

Less than an hour ago, actually. He said that you might not be open to hearing what I have to share, and assured me that if necessary to clarify you might contact him after we have spoken.

I will do that, Jon sighed, in partial resignation. Then he said. "So, getting back to my father, my real father, I never knew him. And, I have it on the word of my deceased mother that he died right here in California, long ago. However, you now refer to some other man as my, natural father. If we are to proceed, you had better clarify."

Forgive me doctor, but the story is long, and I fear unduly complicated. However, I feel confident that if we could sit together for a few moments this can be explained. I’m here on campus, and I could be at your office in no more than a few minutes.

This guy is just not going to go away, Jon thought, as he took a deep breath, then sighed, saying, Look, Mr.Dau…

Daubergen, the voice replied. Not a name one hears every day.

Yes, whatever. All right, I suppose since you’re already near...do you know where I am?

I know exactly. I can be up in just a few moments. I am in the office of the Campus coordinator, Mrs. Shilling. She assures me she can have someone guide me directly to your door.

You would seem to have all the bases covered, sir.

I have spent more than fifty years tracking people, doctor, and I do consider myself quite expert at my job.

Very well, come on up. He placed the phone back in the niche, then withdrew it, and pressed a number on the console.

Dr. Elizabeth Yeager’s office.

Hi Kathy, it’s Jon. Has Liz come up from her lab yet?

Matter of fact, doctor, she just this second walked in. Hold on...

As he waited, he thought about the strange call, wondering just how he would explain it to his wife.

Hi hon’, said the pleasant voice, you just caught me. To what do I owe the pleasure of a call from you this time of day?

He paused, then said, awkwardly, Liz, can you come up here? Something has...well, it may be important, I just don’t know. There’s a man…a lawyer. He’s on his way up here, and I think I’d like to have you here when he comes. Would you?

When you say lawyer, should I be concerned?

He attempted a chuckle, saying, "Lord no, nothing like that kind of lawyer. I just spoke with him and he’s...well he’s got something to say that I think we should both hear."

She said, abruptly, "Lord! I’ll be right up."

He replaced the phone, tipped back in his chair and for a moment squeezed his eyes tightly closed. He seldom experienced the angst that was overwhelming him in that moment. The phrase, "Your natural father," repeated itself with a rather ominous promise that the truth he was about to hear, if indeed true, might well change his life forever.

Just then, the door opened and his wife walked in, closing the door behind her. I ran all the way...didn’t take the elevator...so I’m a bit out of breath. She took a couple of deep breaths, and as she walked toward his desk asked, Now...what the devil is this all about?

He stood and reached out both hands and pulled her to him. After a momentary embrace, he said, Please, just sit. The guy should be here any second.

She stared back, bewilderment on her face. "Jon, you’re scaring the hell out of me."

Liz, please? It’ll be all right.

She sighed, turned to sit in the large leather chair to the left of the desk. She crossed her knees, nervously adjusting her white lab coat evenly across her lap.

At that moment, the desk buzzer sounded. The voice said, Doctor, there is a gentleman here to see you.

He pressed a button, saying, Please send him in, Em. He stood, adjusted the lapels of his lab coat, smiled nervously at Liz, then walked quickly to the door.

Jon was a tall man, but as he opened the door he found himself looking up at a very tall, elderly man wearing heavy dark horned-rimmed glasses. The man smiled amiably as he stepped in, saying, It is good of you to see me, doctor.

Jon gestured to one of a pair of large brown leather chairs before his desk, saying, Please, make yourself comfortable.

Thank you, sir, the tall elderly man said, moving toward the chair Jon had indicated. He smiled, nodding politely at Liz as he said, Good day, ‘mam.

Smiling back, she nodded amiably as she stared up at the tall, elderly man. He was dressed in a vintage Harris Tweed sport coat. His shirt was an odd blue and green pinstripe that did not lend itself comfortably to the garish purple tie. He was obviously not a fashion conscious lawyer, Liz thought, sympathetically.

In one hand he carried a bulging briefcase, in the other, an umbrella. He smiled self consciously noting them looking at the umbrella, and said, awkwardly, It was raining hard when I left Atlanta, and I thought…well, that I might need it elsewhere. Speaking with a definite southern drawl, he chuckled, nervously, But of course…it neva’, evah’ rains in California.

Liz smiled patiently up at the smiling man, but said nothing. He balanced the umbrella against the side of the other chair, dropped his brief case next to it on the floor, and extended his hand to Jon who had returned to his desk.

After a brief handshake, Jon said, Mr. Dau… he hesitated.

"Daubergen. Harrold Daubergen."

Of course. Turning, he gestured to his wife, saying, This is my wife, Elizabeth.

The tall, lanky man bowed slightly, and smiling warmly, said, It is indeed my pleasure. Then, as he attempted to make himself comfortable in the large chair, he said, "As I mentioned on the phone, sir, I am, or was, the lawyer for the estate of the late... glancing in concern at the attractive woman who smiled kindly back, he said, Well, all in good time."

He picked up the heavy briefcase, wrestled it onto his lap, opened it, and pawed with studied enthusiasm through its contents. At last finding what he wanted, he withdrew a large yellow plastic binder jammed with papers. He placed the binder on his knees, returned the bulging case to the floor, and opened the binder. He sighed as he stared down at the cover sheet for a few seconds, then looked up and smiled amiably at Liz, saying, I told your husband over the phone that this concerns the fact that, well…he most likely had a father of whom he was unaware.

Elizabeth sat upright in her chair, looking at Jon. Her mouth dropped open slightly as she mumbled, "Jon...what is this all about?"

Liz, maybe we should just allow Mr. Daubergen to explain. He looked indulgently at the nervous man, who glanced back, first at Elizabeth then at Jon.

For a moment, he fumbled anxiously through the sheaf of papers. At last finding what he was seeking, he said, So, perhaps I think I should begin at the beginning.

Jon sighed, and attempting to sound patient, That would seem the logical place to start.

The lawyer glanced nervously again at Elizabeth, then down at his notes. After a moment, he looked up, saying, "This all began in midsummer of the year, 2003. My firm in Atlanta had taken care of Dr. Yeager’s affairs for a few brief years, then Werner...Dr. Yeager...came to me one morning with a rather large pile of documents. When I asked what it was all about, he said that perhaps he should tell me the entire story."

And? Jon sighed, again attempting to not appear impatient, but wishing the man would get on with it.

Harrold nodded, smiling warmly, "Yes, well…he told me that early on, while teaching physics and mathematics at a university in northern Georgia he had fallen in love with one of his students. He assured me that it was a sincere and deep love and not simply a flirtation. However, there were…complications."

Liz looked puzzled, asking, "Complications?"

He cleared his throat and continued, Yes, an unexpected, and certainly unplanned pregnancy.

"Oh, that kind of complication." Elizabeth looked at her husband who looked back in helpless anticipation as to where the conversation was headed.

Yes, Harrold continued, the young lady with whom he was enamored had become pregnant."

You said that, Jon said, in obvious annoyance.

Yes, so I did. Well, when the family discovered the fact, they threatened to bring charges against the professor, Dr. Yeager. However, it would seem that in her concern for the doctor’s well being and position at the university, the girl convinced the family to move away rather than destroying the man’s career. So, long-story-short, in the night, they simply disappeared. The poor doctor was frantic and searched for her for a very long time. I fear he soon fell into periods of binge drinking, eventually losing his position at the university.

He sighed, glancing again at the papers, then continued, Then years later, while at the University of Georgia, he received a brief letter from the girl. She had somehow discovered where he was; we never learned how. In the letter she stated that he was the father of a ten-year-old male child. She went on to say that she had told the child that his real father had died in an auto accident shortly before his birth.

He again fumbled through the papers, at last withdrawing a faded envelope. He handed it across the desk to Jon, who took it and stared at the envelope for a few seconds. He glanced in momentary apprehension at Liz, then nervously opened the envelope. He withdrew the single folded sheet and slowly read it to himself.

Harrold said, You will notice there is no return address on the envelope. However, there is the Oakland, California postal cancellation of the stamp. That is how we began our investigation concerning the whereabouts of the child.

Jon looked at Liz, sighed, placed the note back in the envelope, and handed it to her. Then he said, So, he was never able to make further contact with the girl?

"It would seem he was so beaten emotionally by this time that he never tried. However, on the morning he came to see me, he made me swear that I would use any of his resources to locate the child, as well as the mother…if still alive. He said that he would not be in the world much longer, which I admit to thinking rather odd. Then he said that when he was gone, I should begin an investigation concerning the possible location of the son."

He looked down and again scrambled through some papers. At last finding a three page hand written will, he said, This is the doctor’s will. He handed it to Jon, and continued, The day he brought this to me was the last time I saw him. Then, not long afterwards we learned that he had simply disappeared. To the best of our knowledge, he has never been seen again...by anyone.

You said that he came to see you last, in 2003? This is 2016. Why are you only now getting around to this? He added quickly, That’s not a judgment, I’m just curious.

"I certainly understand, and I must say that it was a very odd state of affairs. You see no one…and I mean absolutely no one ever saw or had anything to do with the doctor. He was a complete recluse. In addition, the huge estate on which he lived in the wilderness area in the north of the state was seldom, if ever, visited by anyone. He did have a housekeeper for a brief time. She was the only person who ever saw him in person. We understand that she ordered all their groceries from a small market in the nearest tiny town, and they were delivered by a young Latino man. We were finally able to trace the young man, who swore he had never laid eyes on anyone but the housekeeper."

The three just looked from one to the other for an awkward moment. Then Harrold said, "The only local person said to have actually seen him at all during the years prior to the disappearance, was an electrician...kind of an all-around jack-of-all-trades who the doctor had discovered early on. We got this from an elderly woman in a village near his estate in the north. Seems the electrician was a relative of hers, and had mentioned at one point having met some brilliant scientist who had a large estate farther up north. He told her that he was helping the scientist with some repairs. She said that near as she could recall, the electrician had mentioned meeting the eccentric man several years prior to the doctor’s disappearance. She did verify however, that the electrician had been electrocuted while working on some machinery in his own home. Near as we have been able to discover, this would have been more than two years prior to the doctor’s disappearance. This elderly woman was the only one who seemed to know anything about the man, or his even possible association with the doctor.

So, Jon asked, impatiently, doesn’t anyone have any idea what happened to the doctor?

The elderly face looked from Jon to his wife, then with a note of sincere sadness in his voice, said, "Perhaps we shall never know."

What do you mean? asked Elizabeth.

Well, one afternoon in late September of, I believe, 2004, the housekeeper came to my office in Gainesville. This was about one year after my strange visit with Werner…uh, doctor Yeager, when he brought me his will. She said that he had come to speak with her one morning in the kitchen, telling her that he would soon be going away and that he would not be returning. He said that she could remain in the house for as long as she liked, and that his lawyers–our firm–would look after her. However, if she so desired, she could simply take a pension he had set aside for her, again with our firm, and do with her life as she wished. She told me that this was the first time she had ever seen any degree of sentiment in the man. She said he had actually hugged her briefly, then turned and walked out of the kitchen. She never saw or heard from him again.

He shook his head, sighed sadly, saying, "After the brief encounter in the kitchen with the doctor, she had remained in the house for a week, in the hope he might return. However, when he did not, she decided to come to me. She said that since he had not returned, she no longer felt safe in the huge house alone since, prior to his disappearance, she had heard strange and frightening sounds coming from another part of the huge house.

At that moment, she informed me that she had decided to take whatever her small pension might be, and move down to Atlanta where she had relatives. I must say, she was severely shocked upon finding the doctor had left her the sum of...half a million dollars."

Good lord, Jon said, in dismay, "He actually had that kind of money?"

Oh, my goodness, yes, he smiled a cherubic smile. "My dear sir, you have no idea how much you are worth."

"Just what do you mean by…‘just how much you are worth?" Elizabeth asked, incredulously.

Hold on a minute, Jon said. I’m still not convinced here. How are you so sure that I’m the mysterious child from that union?

Harrold sighed, then said, Let me go back a bit. When it became obvious the doctor had indeed disappeared, we decided to begin our investigation according to the instructions the doctor had left with our firm. Not knowing where or how to begin, we searched university records in Georgia and surrounding areas. However, in the doctor’s papers, we eventually discovered the letter from the young woman, who we now know was your birth-mother.

He looked at Jon sympathetically, then continued, Following a cursory investigation, we found a group of very astute people in the San Francisco area, who turned out to be amazing investigators. They began a lengthy investigation armed with the letter from…your mother, which had been mailed from an Oakland Post Office. At the same time, we were also able to gather enlightening information from records at the university where the doctor had taught in 1977 through 1980, as well as accounts from several people from the period who were aware of the situation with the girl. One of these, a professor, who had been a friend of the doctor’s at the time, recalled that the girl’s father had been a custodian at the school. He remembered the man’s name.

He smiled at Elizabeth, then continued, So, armed with the last name of the father as well as the Oakland postal stamp, they were at last able locate a woman with the same family name, who was actually a distant relative of the girl’s father. Though she was in her nineties, she related with clarity that she had spent some time with the family after the father had moved them to California. She said she knew of the scandal concerning a child, and said that the mother had never married. She also recalled that the mother had died when the child was about nine. She said that the mother had given the child the name of the real father; a college professor from somewhere back east. He again, glanced at Jon, That would be…doctor Yeager.

He coughed nervously, then continued, "She further related that at the time of the mother’s passing, her parents were both alcoholics, and were judged by the authorities unfit to care for the child. There were no other relatives willing to take the child, so Social Services placed the boy in an Oakland orphanage. She said she knew that while in his early teens, the boy had been adopted by a wealthy childless couple. She also recalled hearing that they had allowed him to keep the last name his mother had given him, Yeager."

While Harrold spoke, Elizabeth had been studying her husband’s face. He sat staring in disbelief at the lawyer, his mouth slightly open, a look of complete dismay in his eyes.

Honey, are you all right? Elizabeth asked.

He turned to her, the dazed look still clouding his eyes, and said, You always knew I had been adopted…but…as to the rest of all this… he shook his head, it’s…all just too much to believe.

Liz turned to the lawyer and asked, incredulously, Are you certain this is all true?

Harrold smiled kindly, "Oh yes, mam. It is all true. We have checked every detail. We have, pardon the expression, not left one stone unturned."

Jon sat absolutely still, staring at nothing in particular. Then he mumbled, "It’s all just…overwhelming."

I do hope you’ll forgive me barging into your undoubtedly ordered life with something like this, Harrold said apologetically. However, Dr. Yeager was very insistent that we find you. And though I know this is certainly, as you say, overwhelming for you, I think once you have heard about the incredible estate he left you, and have seen the property, you will find it a truly marvelous gift.

Jon said, What do you mean, once we’ve seen the property?

Jon, Elizabeth said, Why don’t we just take a moment and try to become comfortable with all of this. I personally still have some questions.

He looked at her, and sighed, asking Like what?

Well, she said, turning to Harrold, perhaps it’s just female curiosity, but if the good doctor had the kind of wealth to which you seem to be referring, where did it come from? Was the doctor always well off? Did he invent something? Or did he just...inherit it all? I would just like to know more about the man and his life, I suppose. She looked at Jon, then again to Harrold, I know it sounds a bit crass, but how much money do you estimate will come to Jon? She suddenly looked embarrassed, Oh my, that didn’t come out just right. I didn’t mean to sound so...

I understand completely, dear lady, Harrold said kindly. I have the figures right here. He looked down, checked his figures, then looked up, and said, So, according to our most recent figures…the entire estate, after ninety-six thousand, six hundred and sixty-three dollars in legal fees… he said, smiling, is valued at one hundred forty-five million, five hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars.

Ignoring the gasp from Elizabeth, along with the look of complete shock on Jon’s face, he again checked the sheet of figures. Without looking up, he said, The house, along with the five hundred and ninety-nine acres of property on which it rests, have been appraised at twenty-nine million, nine hundred eighty-nine thousand dollars. Then, there is the amount of eighty-four million, six hundred seventy-three thousand dollars in bonds and stock certificates. He raised the paper so he could read from it, saying, As well, there is a trust in your name doctor, of twenty-four million, five-hundred sixty-three thousand dollars. And, since it originated many years ago, it has accrued a great deal of interest.

He put the paper down and said, Your attorney, Mr. Andelson, has confirmed these figures through his financial advisors. Then he said, Oh, I almost forgot. There is also a small savings account that we recently discovered in our own local bank in Gainesville. He glanced again at the paper, Of five million and twenty-nine thousand dollars. This has also been confirmed with Mr. Andelson. This is yours to do with as you wish, following a couple of signatures. We can take care of this when it is convenient for you.

The two people just stared at the man in complete and utter disbelief. After a few awkward seconds, Jon said, There’s not that much money in the world. As he stared at Liz, she was sure she saw tears in his eyes as he said, And, to think that I never even...knew he existed. And now to hear this... he just trailed off, looking helpless. He and Liz just stared at one another.

After several awkward moments, Jon turned to Harrold, and asked, "After what we have just heard…and since Liz has asked…how did he come to be so wealthy? Do you even know?"

Oh, my, yes, Harrold said sadly, looking down at the pile of papers. I fear that’s a tragedy in itself. The poor man seemed to be plagued with nothing but pain all through his life.

How do you mean? Liz asked.

Harrold looked down again, checking his notes. Then he looked up, saying, "Well...when the doctor was twenty-two years old, he was in school at Cambridge, England. The father, who was a wealthy cotton farmer as well as a powerful industrialist, had felt that since the son had shown an early aptitude for science and mathematics, that Cambridge would offer him the most complete educational opportunities. He glanced again at his notes, It was at the end of that final year at Cambridge that the tragedy occurred."

He waited briefly for questions. When none came, he continued. The young man was absolutely brilliant, literally breezing through the university curriculum. It seems that he was scheduled for an early matriculation. The family was so proud and pleased that the father chartered a large plane. He gathered in the entire Yeager clan with the intention of flying to England for the ceremony. On board were the doctor’s two sisters, and of course the mother and father. There were also his two uncles on his father’s side, his mother’s brother and family, as well as two favorite cousins. Pretty much the entire clan. The only two who were unable to join the party were the mother’s third brother and wife, who it seems, was in the process of giving birth to a new baby. He sighed, staring sadly down at the papers.

Elizabeth could not help herself, And...

Harrold turned, his sad eyes looking deeply into hers. For a few seconds, it was as if he was seeing something beyond her. Then he sighed, "Tragically, the plane...never arrived. The last anyone heard, the pilot had said that they were just leaving the outer banks of Nova Scotia, and that the weather looked a bit rough ahead. There was no further communication. It was determined that the plane went down somewhere in the north Atlantic. No sign of wreckage or bodies was ever discovered."

"My God!" was all Elizabeth said.

Jon said, "The boy must have been devastated...his entire family?"

Yes. For a long time it was feared that he might never come out of it. And though time is thought to heal all, he looked at Elizabeth, once again the man’s misfortune would appear to have been truly bizarre. Following the dreadful disaster with the family, Werner had gone to live with his mother’s brother and wife…the two who had remained behind due to the birth of the child. He shook his head, sadly, But that was another tragedy. You see, the baby was stillborn.

"Oh no!" Elizabeth brought both hands to her mouth.

Sadly, the poor woman never recovered. In fact following a dreadful depression lasting more than a year, she…simply died. The uncle was devastated. However, he did continue to care for the young man, Werner, who was by then attending SMU in a doctorial program.

He glanced down at the pile of papers again, then said, It was at this same time the entirety of the Yeager family fortune was awarded to young Werner, making him one of the wealthiest young men in the country.

He again glanced down at his notes for a moment. When he looked up, he said, sadly, Then...only two years following the death of the aunt…the uncle died as well.

"Good lord!" Jon whispered.

"Since the uncle had lost his wife, and there were no close family ties remaining on either side…well, everything from the uncle’s estate also went to Werner. Furthermore, since the uncle was likewise extremely wealthy, the young man suddenly had so much money that he was literally inundated with demands from various charity organizations. He did donate quite enormous amounts to several universities and several charities. This however, created a great deal of furor among other groups hungering for large handouts. So, before long the poor boy found it necessary to simply retreat to a small college town in the north of the state."

He glanced from Elizabeth to Jon, saying, "This, I might add, is precisely where the drama concerning the girl began. No one knew who he was or even cared when he applied for a place on the science staff of the college. He was just an amiable young man with good credentials. He had put, ‘family deceased’ on his application so there was never any kind of questioning. We must remember this was in a part of the country, and at a time where people minded their own business."

He looked at Elizabeth, Perhaps this is why the affair, along with the unhappy outcome caused so little outcry when it occurred. Oh, there were people who knew about it, but as I say, in those days folks kept things pretty much to themselves. Then, when the girl and her family disappeared, there was nothing more to talk about. Things in the small college town quickly returned to normal.

Did he stay on? Elizabeth asked, I mean…after the girl’s family left?

For a while, yes, he said. However, the loss of his love, coupled with the previous tragedies he had suffered, at last brought the poor man to his knees. As I said earlier, he began to drink heavily, eventually losing his teaching position. As near as we can ascertain, that would have been late in 1980.

We learned that he drifted for a time, teaching here and there for short periods in several of the small southern schools as well as a couple of colleges up north. However, the alcohol and the past eventually brought about the same end. Then at one point, or so we understand, fate seemed to blessedly intervene. During a time at one southern university, he met a professor from SMU, who recognized in him a particularly brilliant aptitude for a certain kind of advanced mathematics. The professor, himself a recovering alcoholic, introduced Werner to Alcoholics Anonymous, which actually saved the young man’s life. We learned that two years later the professor had obtained a position for Werner at SMU, on a research project with a group of researchers who had actually been involved with the Manhattan Project. He glanced up from his notes, And it would have been at about this time that he received the note from the girl concerning the child.

They all sat very still for several moments, no one really knowing just what to say. At last, Harrold coughed, saying, "Since we are pretty well up to date concerning the doctor’s history, it would perhaps be a good idea to begin planning how we intend to finalize our business."

How do you mean? asked Jon, still pretty much in a state of passive shock.

Well, said Harrold, since I have been in contact with your attorney, Mr. Andelson, perhaps we could all meet with him, at your convenience of course, to decide what you are going to do concerning the estate.

Yes… Jon mumbled, "I suppose we will have to decide...a lot of things now. He turned to his wife. Liz…what do you think?"

She just stared at him, betraying her own shock. Finally, she caught a breath, sighed and shrugged as she said, "Like you say Jon, we’ll have to make a lot of decisions concerning…a lot of things."

Harrold smiled warmly, saying, So, I shall wait to hear from you once you have spoken with Mr. Andelson. He reached for the will on the doctor’s desk, and carefully placed it into the folder on his lap. Then he picked up the briefcase jamming the pile of papers inside, snapped the strap over the back of the huge case.

Then as he stood, he said, I have taken up entirely too much of your time. He turned to Elizabeth, Dear lady, I know this been rather…unexpected, to say the least. However, I am certain that given a bit of time, you will both adjust quite nicely. I must add that this has been a rare pleasure. He took her hand and pressed her fingers close to his lips in a mock kiss-on-the-hand gesture, looking every inch the elderly southern gentleman. Then he extended a hand across the desk. Jon tried to stand but could not. He halfheartedly extended his arm, shaking the man’s extended hand, blandly.

So, Harrold said, Your lawyer has my number at my hotel as well as my cell number. As soon as you have made some convenient arrangement with him, he will contact me. Then we can all sit down together to decide what you wish to do.

He picked up his umbrella, pivoted and moved toward the door. Elizabeth was on her feet and moving with him. As she opened the door for him, he paused, turned and smiled warmly, whispering conspiratorially, I would think that a stiff drink might be in order for your husband. He winked charmingly, then said, Well, good day. He was out the door and gone.

Elizabeth turned, closed the door, and leaned back against the cool oak panel. For a moment, she stood looking in concern at her husband as he sat staring blankly into empty space. Then she walked slowly to his desk and knelt down next to his chair. She pulled him close to her, cradling his head. "You once said that one day you’d be a rich man. Bet you never dreamed you’d be this rich."

He gently drew away, looked into her eyes, then with sadness in his voice, said, And I never dreamed I had a father I’d never meet...who would make it all possible. Lord, I feel so...so sad. At a time like this, most people would be jumping out of their skin. What’s the matter with me?

"I think you’re still in shock. I know I am. And I think we’ll take Harrold’s suggestion, and just shut down here for the day and go home and have that…stiff drink."

He turned to her, Can we get away with that?

"Honey, you have enough money to buy the university. She chuckled softly, I think you can take one afternoon off."

She got to her feet, pulled him gently from his chair. She kissed him tenderly, then after glancing at the big clock on the wall, she looked at him with a look in her eyes he had not seen for a long time. It’s only one ten, and I just happened to think of something. Andy won’t be home until after five…and it would only take us fifteen minutes to get home. She smiled in a way that made him suddenly understand.

He smiled awkwardly, and again drew her into a close embrace. Then he kissed her in a way he knew he had not for too long a time. It’s been so long…I don’t know if I remember…how.

Like a duck takes to water? she giggled, grabbing him by the hand pulling him toward the door. Then she turned, saying, with a familiar twinkle in her eyes, And ‘ya never forget how to ride a bike.

"You are so wicked," he said, with a wink and a smile.

Part Two

Carmel Grove High School

Santa Cruz, California

May 30, 2016

3:35 PM

Andrew Yeager was only twelve, yet he knew that no one his age had ever been treated so harshly, or with so little regard by their peers. As hard as he tried, he found no degree of acceptance from the classmates that surrounded him five days a week.

At the end of the spring of his sixth grade year, his school’s academics council had decided that since Andrew had excelled in every aspect of requirements, as well as being far ahead of his present academic level, he should be moved to the ninth grade level. It was argued by this erudite group of well-intentioned academicians, that in this new environment he would find himself more academically challenged.

In a way, this had initially seemed fine with Andrew and his parents. He had only made one friend in his sixth grade class. However, that friend, Paul Timothy had died, along with three other students in a school bus accident the previous spring. Andy always felt guilty that he had been among those who were not injured. So, it had been decided that, since he had developed no further close relationships among his classmates, it would certainly be no problem to move him into a more advanced class.

Andrews’s unique history was soon known throughout the school, and teachers continually referenced his extraordinarily high I.Q. This coupled with the fact that he struggled with a brace on his left leg and a pronounced limp, a remnant of a terrible illness at age four, offered his older classmates ample excuse to subject him to thoughtless torment.

As Andy sat in his ninth grade classroom listening to his teacher, Mr. Evans, he could not wait for the day to end.

First off, said Mr. Evans, "I’d like to commend you all on your end-term science papers, which are quite exceptional... except for some," glancing in the direction of a small group of jocks who all sat together in a group in the rear corner of the classroom.

Yeah, yeah, muttered Ralph Springer under his breath.

Yes, Mr. Springer, said the teacher, ruefully, you might consider summer school to aid you in your use of the English language. Whether you are aware or not sir, that is what we do prefer speaking in this classroom. Furthermore, though I’m certain you not aware of the fact, it is spoken in the majority of this country.

He did not like this nasty group of six troublemakers, who all came from wealthy families, considering themselves above anyone’s authority. As a responsible teacher, he had made every effort to motivate the group toward a more scholastic approach. They however, they consistently drifted farther from any kind of academic interest.

He sighed softly in resignation, and turned to a blonde girl in the front row, saying, Kristin, would you please return these papers to their owners? Then turning to the boy on his right, Here Mark, you take half of these. They both took the stacks of reports and began to