A Woman Lost Read Online Free PDF Page A

adjacent to the quote. It was a pendulum.
    “It’s about the scientific revolution,” I offered.
    “What does he mean?” She gawked at the glittering pendulum.
    “It’s Newton. He’s exclaiming he would never have been able to discover gravity if it weren’t for all of the other scientists who paved the way for him. He’s giving credit to a long line of people who asked questions and who risked their lives by challenging the Catholic Church.” I paused and looked up at the pendulum again. “This is one of my favorite places on campus.”
    “Because of the scientific revolution, or because of pendulums?” She smiled as she spoke.
    “The revolution, in a way. You have to admire people who stood up to the leaders and said, ‘I think you are full of shit.’” I hesitated for a second, and looked away from her, up at the puffy white clouds. “I have personal reasons as well.”
    Her eyes returned to my face. I could tell she was expecting me to continue. Commanding me to.
    “I’m grateful to those who have advanced science and medicine. I have an illness.” I didn’t like sharing this weakness with people.
    I noticed a flicker of panic in her eyes. “N-no … it’s not terminal,” I stammered. “But it’s an illness nonetheless. Before the medicine was developed, the outcome wouldn’t have been fun. Now, all I have to do is take a pill each night. Simple as that.”
    “I didn’t know. Peter never said anything.”
    “I never told them.” I never referred to Peter or anyone in my family as an individual. They were always a “them” for me. I glanced away from her penetrating stare and motioned which direction we should take to my office. “It’s not too much further,” I said.
    She smiled, but a hint of sadness crept into her eyes.
    We walked on, to my office.
    * * *
    “You’ll have to excuse the mess,” I said as we entered my office. “I can only work when surrounded by chaos.” Papers, open books, and journals were spread everywhere, including the floor and all available chairs.
    “I can tell you spend a lot of time here.” She pointed to all the teacups and dirty plates.
    “You could say that. I’m trying desperately to finish my dissertation. I would like to close this chapter of my life. And I work better here than at home.” I would like to close this chapter? Come on, Lizzie! Who in the hell talks like that? Stop being such a pompous ass.
    “Your girlfriend must get jealous?” She gestured to the framed photograph on my desk.
    I’d never really considered that the picture made it clear we were in a relationship. Sarah had given the picture, with instructions to put it on my desk. It finally clicked why.
    “It has been the source of a few fights. She thinks I’m a workaholic.”
    “What do you think?” She crossed her arms.
    “Oh, I know I am … but I love what I do. Researching makes me happy, even more than teaching, and as you can see”‌—‌I waved to all of my crap in the office‌—‌“I immerse myself in my work.” I paused to set my bag down and put in a couple of books I needed to take home that night. “You know what else makes me happy?”
    “What?” She uncrossed her arms.
    “Eating. How ‘bout grabbing some lunch?”
    “You’re the boss.”
    * * *
    We sat outside on the patio at Coopersmith’s, my favorite restaurant in Old Town, Fort Collins, talking, laughing, and sharing funny childhood memories. It had been a long time since I had laughed this much with one person‌—‌and, the whole time, I could not take my eyes off her.
    “So, how long have you and your girlfriend been together?”
    “Not very long, only six months … wait … ” I started to count on my fingers. “Maybe it’s getting closer to eight months. What about you and Peter?”
    “Over a year. You aren’t close to your family at all?”
    “Was it that obvious?” I chuckled. “Let’s just say I’m the black sheep of the family. I keep to my own most of the