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Celestial Navigation Two - part 8. I think I can be done having written two more parts. Disclaimers in part 1. *************************** PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, MCCORMICK LECTURE HALL, 3:20 pm "That's for talking to another woman in front of me," the figure said. "Damn it. Now I remember why I didn't want to come here in the first place. Victoria." "Scumbag!" she observed coldly. "You've got to give me some credit for not doing that while you were still on the stage." "Yes, well. You know, while I would love to stand here and get hit by you, I do actually have, you know, fun things to attend to. Excuse me. We have nothing to talk about." Sam made his way past her decidedly, and made but five steps when some unexplainable force pulled him back. Victoria was still standing there, waiting for him. "I always thought you were too decent, too gentleman-like. Except, of course, the time you left me for that blonde mockery of a supermodel you met in New York. What was her name - Lucy? Lisa? I hope she left you in blazing hell when she left you." "We're divorced. I'm doing just fine." She grinned, showing bright teeth, a menacing smile in the dark. "Didn't quite measure up to your standards, either? Who's the new one, then?" "Victoria, that isn't any of your business. You and I parted years ago. It was wrong for us to date in the first place - you were a professor here, this could've gotten you fired!" "I'm still very much here," she pointed out and added quietly, "and I still love you, Sam. How could you leave without saying a word to me? Don't you know the power you possess over women?" Sam felt fear creeping into his heart. This wasn't right. "I shouldn't have come today. But I'm not sorry I left before - we were too different to ever have a future." "No, we're not," she protested. She still looked so beautiful. "Think back to the time we were together. We are perfect for each other." "Vicky." it was hard to look at her. "I need you to stay, Sam. We can make up for all this lost time. I want US back. If I have to, I'll go to extreme measures for that." "Such as?" Sam felt his voice, against his will, becoming harsh. There was no way she would blackmail him. He was not to be intimidated. Not by someone he's left behind. "I will write to my friend in New York Times and tell him about us. He'll make this story as big as possible, trust me." Sam felt his pulse run faster again, this time with exhilaration. "Listen to me very carefully," he said. "There is no way you can threaten me - not now, not ever. I have more than enough school transcripts to show that I never took any of your classes and when we slept together I was not aware you were a. Wow! Did I just have a flashback," he complained suddenly to himself. "I had no idea you were a professor and you've got nothing on me. And I suggest, for your own sake, that you never try to blackmail me again." Again, he tried to make his way past her. "Wait!" she cried. "I'm. sorry. I can think of no other way to do this. I love you, Sam, and I admire the way you've grown during these years. My life has been here, among memories - you being the brightest of them, like a shining star. It's good to have you shine here again. A star has guided you home." Sam watched her with awe. Victoria was being sincere and he began feeling nostalgic, if not guilty. His phone rang again. "Why are you still in New Jersey?" Toby demanded in an angry whisper. "The lecture can't have lasted for more than two hours. God is merciful to college students." "Oh, Toby! I, uh. ran into some old friends here. But I'm on my way back, except that I'm not really. I need a little more time here." "Sam." Toby's voice became very clear, although quiet, which made Sam wonder whether he was hiding from someone. "I may be going out on a limb here, but hear me out. School is over, you've graduated many years ago. Life awaits, get back to it." "Yeah. Thank you." Sam pointed to the cell phone, raising it high in the air. "That's my boss, Victoria, Toby Ziegler. I have to go now. Goodbye." He ran out of the backstage area and hurried all the way to the helicopter. *************** TBC Thanks for reading, Irene.
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