NINE

“I’m home,” called Thomas, stumbling through the front door and plopping his beach bag on the ground. The car was in the driveway but the house was silent. The place felt empty. He looked at the clock. Almost six. After spending the entire afternoon playing volleyball and splashing in the waves, he had optimistically dreamed that dinner would be waiting on the table. “Mom! Where are you?”

Silence. He kicked off his flip-flops and walked toward the kitchen, an unexpected prick of anxiety stabbing at his chest. It wasn’t like her to go out on a Saturday night and never without advance warning. His eyes landed on the fridge, where a note dangled from a potato-shaped magnet with his kindergarten photo in the middle.

Dear Thomas,

Sorry I forgot to remind you, but tonight is the annual faculty dinner. There’s lasagna and ice cream in the freezer. Please clean up after yourself, and make sure to be in bed before ten. I’ll be home late.

Love,

Mom

The faculty dinner. A smile lit up Thomas’s face. Not only was his mom okay, but the faculty dinner meant a night home alone. All hints of tiredness vanished. He started toward his room at a near sprint, skidding to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, then grabbed the banister and launched himself up. A hollow growl issued from his stomach as he reached the landing. He paused, and his stomach growled again, louder than the first time. Fine. I’ll eat first.

Twenty-two minutes and three dozen lasagna-burned taste buds later, Thomas finished his dinner and sprinted upstairs. Excitement flooded his brain as the wooden box slid into sight. The key delivered the predicted jolt, but this time, he was ready for it. The buzzing disappeared as he inserted the key into the lock. The lid lifted, and the faded leather came into sight.

Thomas’s heart skipped a beat. The picture on the cover was more visible than he remembered, as if someone had snuck in and traced the outline in faded pencil. The vine around the edges framed a faint landscape of bulbous trees and seaweed-like shrubs. He ran his hand over the image. A soft tingle ran up his spine.

The picture was definitely clearer than it had been. There was no question about that. But how, and why? Maybe the oil on his hands had moisturized the leather and brought the ink to the surface. Maybe. Or maybe it’s something else. The idea whispered through his thoughts, dangerously close to believable.

With an effort, he shifted his attention and lifted the cover, flipping past the curious illustrations to the start of the first chapter. He didn’t waste time admiring the handwriting. His eyes went right to the cobra-shaped “T.”

This is the story of the first stories, the start of wonders, the beginning of sorrows. Thinkest thyself worthy of curious instruction? Then read, fortunate seeker, and discover mysteries; true as day, dark as night, passed in secret from the dawn of time. Yea, proceed, following close all that hast been commanded; then, if resideth in thy breast the blessed spark, thy light shall be lit, and the beginning shall begin.

Thomas climbed into the shower, the fragmented remnants of a fitful dream running through his head. Most of the dream had been shadowy, confusing, but the last sequence was strikingly clear. He let the scene run through his mind while the warm water splashed on his face.

• • •

A man and woman standing side by side in a room full of glass display cases, their attention on something just out of sight. An enormous man looms in the background, bowling-ball hands dangling at his sides, staring in the same direction. The perspective shifts until the hidden item is in view. A glow radiates from something that bathes the scene in subtle crimson. The woman speaks, her hushed voice falling from lips as fiery as the crystal. “We will find the others. I have seen it.”

• • •

“Thomas, honey! Breakfast is ready!” His mom’s voice barely rose above the hum of the overhead fan. “Hurry, so your food doesn’t get cold.”

“Almost ready!” shouted Thomas. “I’ll be down in two minutes.”

Three minutes later, he was downstairs, fully dressed and ready to eat. There was a plate of bacon and eggs on the table, waiting next to a tall glass of orange juice.

“Good morning, sweet boy.” His mom set down the newspaper and smiled.

“You cooked. Thanks!” Thomas grabbed a strip of thick-cut bacon and took a bite.

“You’re very welcome. Sorry for leaving you alone last night. I completely forgot about the faculty dinner. Was everything okay around here?”

“Mmm hmm. How was it?”

“The faculty dinner? Oh, you know. Lots of chit chat, a guest speaker, people making nice with the department heads. The usual. How about you? Anything out of the ordinary?”

“Not really. We didn’t get back from the beach until late. Jameel, Ming, Enrique, and I played volleyball all afternoon. I read a little and went to bed.” Thomas chewed silently for a minute. He wasn’t lying but wasn’t thrilled with the sneaky redirect either.

“Very nice. How are Jameel and Ming? They haven’t been over in forever.”

“They’re good. Busy with volleyball and school. They’re both playing club this year, plus they’re on the school team, so they’ve got practice or a game practically every day. Jameel’s doing student government this year, too. Class Treasurer.”

“That’s a lot. No wonder I haven’t seen them.” She took a slow sip of tea. “You know, there was one interesting thing last night. Interesting and a little surprising. Want to hear about it?”

“Duh,” said Thomas. “Of course.”

“One of your father’s old mentors is coming to teach at the University. Professor William Reilly. Bill. They announced it last night. He and I talked for a few minutes this morning, and he’s graciously agreed to spend some time tutoring you.”

“Tutoring? Really?” Thomas made a face.

“Yes, tutoring,” she said. “It’s not just for people who can’t keep up. Smart people who want to accelerate their learning turn to tutors, too. Yours truly included. Besides, Professor Reilly’s field is interdimensional physics. I thought you might find the subject intriguing.”

“Interdimensional physics?” Thomas took another nibble of bacon and chewed on the concept. “I’m not sure what that means, but it sounds kind of cool.”

“I thought you’d be interested. And Professor Reilly isn’t just some guy with a hobby. He’s a genuine pioneer in the field. He was the first to postulate the theorem now known as the Quantum Paradigm Paradox. It was that piece of work that led your dad to Berkeley and inspired him to split his research time between genetics and physics.”

Thomas’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t know that his dad had split time between genetics and physics research, and he didn’t know that because his mom never talked about him. He opened his mouth to let fly a zinger, but his mom continued before he had a chance.

“Professor Reilly was the person who most influenced your father’s scientific career. When it comes to unraveling the mysteries of the physical universe, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better guide.” She paused, an almost guilty expression on her face. “And, maybe, you know, maybe he’ll have an easier time talking about your dad than I do.”

Thomas took a breath and swallowed down the swell of resentment. He was being offered the possibility of learning about his dad from someone who also happened to be an expert in something that sounded really interesting, even if he didn’t understand exactly what it was. Obviously, he couldn’t pass that up. Besides, if this Professor Reilly guy was anything less than amazing, he could always bail out later. There was nothing to lose.

“All right. Sure, fine, I guess. When is this supposed to happen?”

“Great.” She ruffled Thomas’s hair. “The professor is scheduled to arrive in a couple of weeks. We’ll work out the details once he’s in town.”