Donovan's Child Read Online Free PDF

once. He was so funny. Funny and inspiring. He made it all seem so simple. We were an auditorium full of students, raw beginners. Yet we came away feeling we were brilliant and accomplished, that we could do anything, that we understood what makes a building work, what makes it both fully functional and full of…meaning, too. Then, after he spoke, there was a party for the upperclassmen and professors, with Donovan the guest of honor. I was a freshman, not invited. But I heard how he amazed them all, how fascinating he was, how full of life, how…interested in everything and everyone. We all wanted to be just like him when we grew up.”
    â€œI keep waiting,” Ben said, “for the day I wake up and he’s changed back into the man he used to be. But it’s been a while now. And the change is nowhere on the horizon.”
    She asked the central question. “So. What happened to him? Was it the accident on the mountain?”
    Ben only smiled. “That, I really can’t tell you. You’ll have to find out from him.”
    She scoffed. “I don’t think I’ll hold my breath.”
    â€œHe likes you.”
    That made her laugh. “Oh, come on.”
    â€œSeriously. He does. I know him well enough by now to read him a little, at least. He finds you fascinating. And attractive—both of which you are.”
    Was Ben flirting with her? She slid him a look. He was still staring off into the middle distance. So maybe not. “Well, if you’re right, I would hate to see how he treats someone he doesn’t like.”
    â€œHe ignores them. He ignores almost everyone now.Just pretends they aren’t even there. Sends me or Olga to deal with them.”
    She gathered her knees up to the side. “This evening, before dinner, someone arrived and was sent away, someone in a red Cadillac. I didn’t see who, but I heard a woman’s voice talking to Olga at the door….”
    Ben shrugged. “People come by, now and then. When they get fed up with him not returning their calls. When they can’t take the waiting, the wondering if he’s all right, the stewing over what could be going on with him.”
    â€œPeople like…?”
    â€œOld friends. Mountain climbers he used to know, used to partner with. Beginning architects he once encouraged.”
    â€œOld girlfriends, too?”
    â€œYes.” Ben sent her a patient glance. “Old girlfriends, too.”
    She predicted, “Eventually, they’ll all give up on him. He’ll get what he seems to be after. To be completely alone.”
    Ben’s dark eyes gleamed. “With his cook and his housekeeper and his engineer.”
    She told him gently, “I didn’t mean that as a criticism of you.”
    He smiled. A warm smile. “I know you didn’t.”
    â€œI just don’t get what’s up with him.”
    â€œWell, don’t worry. You’re not the only one.”
    â€œHow will he live, if he doesn’t work? This house alone must cost a fortune to run.”
    â€œHis books still make money.”
    â€œBut an architect needs clients. We’re not like painters or writers. We can’t go into a room and lock the door and turn out a masterpiece and then try to sell it….”
    â€œI know,” Ben said softly. He admitted, “Eventually,there could be a problem. But not for a few years yet, anyway….” There was a silence. Ben was gazing off toward the courtyard again.
    Finally, she said, “You seemed pretty stuffy at first.”
    He chuckled. “Like the butler in one of those movies with Emma Thompson, right?”
    â€œPretty much. But now I realize you’re not like someone’s snobby butler, not in the least. You’re okay, Ben.”
    He did look at her then. His dark eyes were so sad. “I was afraid, after the way he behaved at dinner, that he’d succeeded in chasing you off. I hope he