It's Bliss Read Online Free PDF Page A

realizing that his impatience over what he perceived as their inept self-management might have been construed as such.
    “ Then, Miss Bliss,” he began slowly, his words deliberate, “my so-called pompous and demeaning attitude toward all the young women in the 302 class and the 280 class did cause and is causing you to gain weight. Is that correct?”
    “ Yes and no. Well, at least not for the reason you may think. You see, it’s symptomatic.”
    He threw up his hands. “I give up, Miss Bliss. I would suggest if you are planning to get married someday, that you figure yourself out first.”
    “ I assure you, Dr. Ackerman, I have figured myself out, and that’s why I’m not going to get married.”
    He stared at her, still trying to understand. “Well,” he said finally, “that’s, uh, probably for the best.”
    Tears sprang to her eyes. He noted that they were beautiful brown eyes.
    Instantly he felt contrite. “I’m sorry. What I said, did it—”
    “ Oh no, it’s just me,” she said, blinking back the tears and immediately smiling. “Could I ask you a question, Dr. Ackerman?”
    His heart softened, he answered, “You may.”
    “ Your eyebrows are almost black and your hair is gray. Why is that?”
     

Six
     
    The 280 business course was a three-credit hour class, meeting Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Wednesday morning, Dr. Ackerman began a two part lecture. The first part would occupy Wednesday and Friday. The subject matter was: “managing yourself versus managing a vocation, or specifically a career in business.” The following week he would carry on the second part of the subject, using the question and discussion method, all this in preparation for the possible ‘project.’ He proceeded with care, not wanting to be perceived by the class as pompous or demeaning. He most certainly did not want Miss Bliss to gain one more pound—if, indeed, he were, in any way possible, the cause the of such an anomaly.
    Immediately, Billie Bliss could see the difference in Dr. Ackerman’s attitude and was pleased. Somehow, she thought, trying to explain her actions on Monday must have actually done some good. Chalk one up to ‘ol’ Dodds, she commended silently. Because of this change, she could tell that the class was responding with greater interest to what he had to say.
    The subject of the lecture, self-management, was of great interest to Billie.
    And, in her mind, it reflected Dr. Ackerman’s own lifestyle. He was a professor who was always organized and well prepared. In fact, she mused, he even managed himself well in the aspect of grooming. His white shirts were always crisp, sporting what looked like designer ties, which, in turn, attractively set off his expensive-looking suits and sport coats.
    Today, his finely-fitted, charcoal gray sport coat hung nicely over his broad shoulders, tapering down to gray slacks and well-shined shoes. It was an ensemble which enhanced both his dark brows and thick, slightly wavy, silver hair, which, he had explained to her on Monday, had begun turning prematurely gray when he was twenty-five. He had further informed her that his brows had not yet caught up. After hearing this disclosure, she almost gave in to the urge to satisfy the curiosity of the class, but changed her mind, deciding that to divulge his confidence might not be respectful.
    “ Miss Bliss!” the voice of Dr. Ackerman boomed, jerking Billie out of her reverie.
    “ Uh, yes, Dr. Ackerman?”
    “ I see that you are not taking notes. May I remind you again, I expect all of you to take notes. Other than the texts in the library, which I may ask you to read now and then, there is no text for this class—just my lectures, and you will be severely tested on those. “Do I make myself clear, Miss Bliss?”
    “ Yes, Dr. Ackerman. I’m sorry. It’s just that my mind was wandering off on the subject of your lecture.”
    “ Oh?” he questioned, skeptical. “Would you mind telling the class what