「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(167) Alberta

Laughlin City, October 1993

Lynn's POV

Undoubtedly, it was not by coincidence that I had selected the mysteriously treacherous province in Western Canada to be the location of my new residence. While I knew not to harbor much hope, neither did I have the ability to engage in any thorough search through the foreign town, being here bestowed even the most minute of chances of ever seeing her again, and I needed simply that tinge of belief to carry on.

Landing covertly in the middle of the night amongst the Northern Albertan woods bordering the city of our destination, our X-Jet was well shielded within the surrounding pines as Jean and I discreetly disembarked the stealthy aircraft in the compact sedan equipped within. After a short fifteen-minute drive, Jean quietly pulled us up in the wide driveway of my extensive front yard at the corner of the street.

Carefully swinging open the passenger door, I was thoroughly grateful that Jean had already done the tedious job of assembling my chair from the back and attentively placed it at a convenient spot for me. Having only moderate strength and still not quite accustomed to the motion after the extended and invariable hiatus being confined to a crib, I laboriously hoisted myself out of the car, plopping clumsily into my cushioned seat.

As Jean collected my lone baggage from the trunk, lifting it with her hands to remain inconspicuous, I tiredly adjusted my limp legs proper before strenuously propelling myself up the smoothly cemented porch. Despite all the arm exercises Jean diligently put me through, my muscles and joints were still hurting dreadfully from their first true workout and my fingers were weak, trembling uncontrollably in fatigue, as I difficultly fetched my ring of keys from the pocket of my jeans to unlock the main entrance that was perfectly flushed to the ground.

Finally entering the comfort of my current abode, we were greeted by the vintage cottage decor that starkly contradicted its rather modern exterior. Regardless, I was glad that from the major facade to the smallest detail of an ornamenting vase, everything replicated their photos once provided to a remarkable extent.

Setting down my suitcase, Jean bolted the door firm and drawing all the curtains shut, the slab of exquisite timber and floral printed drapes concealed us within the single-storey property where she could freely flaunt her powers again. Simultaneously igniting the Victorian fireplace and flipping the switches with a flash of telekinesis, violent crackles of the bright orange flames filled the humble area as Jean lit up the cosy living room.

Undeniably still cherishing mine, I realized that beginning afresh apart, I yearned for a normal life. A predominantly human one different from everything I ever knew. In someplace else, someplace we need not be tormented by the sheer presence of each other, someplace good, albeit that could be highly debated as it sported his absence.

I intentionally opted for this home out of the numerous other luxurious or stylish choices that Jean had shortlisted not only for its modesty and quaint theme, but most importantly for its apparent deliberate efforts to establish itself as a handicap-friendly environment despite not being explicitly offered as such.

The entire parquet flooring was curb-free, with broad hallways and apertures that amply accommodated any manoeuvre of my wheelchair, surely facilitating my movement around the house. Additionally, the height of the stoves, sinks and other counter tops had been curiously lowered to an appropriate level for me to easily work with while retaining my normal sitting position.

Moreover, the bookshelves standing before the walls plastered in repeating pastel roses and a muted background appeared purposely stunted, with its highest rack not exceeding my reach when I extended my arm upwards, instead spread horizontally across the room in order not to compromise its storage functions. Not to mention the safety railings thoughtfully made available throughout the corridors, master bedroom and its attached water closet that incorporated both a full-sized tub and a standing shower stall just like back in the mansion.