The Astronomer and The Florist

Phone calls and Hope

Logan looked at the clock, know his old professor would still be up, and pushed the call button on his phone.

"Hello?" "Salutations Professor Sanders, it is Logan Berry. May I have a second of your time? I have a few questions."

-.-.-

"Oh, of course! What is up Logan?" Professor Sanders asked, in the same way he started class everyday.

"Well, Professor, I hate to bother you, but I have an inquisition for you."

"Now Logan, you are never a bother! I was just getting ready to watch some re-runs of 'The Office', which I think we both know I have seen many, many times before!" Professor Sanders laughed, and Logan smiled, remembering the days when he was Professor Sanders' TA.

"Yes, that is an accurate statement. So, you would not be opposed to listening to my situation and advising me?" Logan asked, still a bit worried that he was being a bother.

"Just like the old days, huh?" Professor Sanders chuckled. "I'll tell you what, I'll help you if you agree to just call me Thomas. You're more my collage than my student, and I'd like to think of you as a friend!"

Logan was a bit in awe, and felt very honored. "Of course Pro- Thomas."

Thomas laughed, hearing the awe and weariness in his former students voice. "So Logan, what seems to be the problem?"

Logan then informed Thomas of everything that has happened, from being passed up for the promotion to Virgil and the 'fuck you' bouquet.

Thomas stayed mostly silent, trying to let Logan vent while he thought up the best solution, but he busted out laughing at the flowers part.

"So, you're telling me that you saw this guy that you thought was attractive, and your first words to him were, "how do I say f you in flowers? And he went with it, immediately shooing his boss out while laughing? And then asks for your number and you told him to use it for more than just the standard checkup text?"

"Umm," Logan said, very eloquently. "Yes, that is one way to describe the scenario." Thomas's laughter renewed. "Oh, I am so telling Joan that one! It sounds like you found yourself a keeper!"

Logan sputtered a bit at that, not sure how to respond. Luckily, Thomas brought the conversation back to it's starting point.

"As much as I love hearing about your evolving love life, I'm not sure how much of a help I can be. Unless there was something else...?" "Yes!" Logan responded, happy to be back on track. "Yes, there is something else. Virgil and I were texting earlier, and he actually helped me realize that I don't deserve to be taken advantage of-" "I agree!" Thomas interrupted. "But continue!"

Logan chuckled, and then continued. "Virgil helped me realize that I don't deserve to be taken advantage of, no matter how much I love my job at the conservatory. When he was asking me questions, he also helped me come to the realization that I always wanted to be a teacher, but I didn't think that I could do both. He told me otherwise. What I called you for, is I was wondering..." Logan paused, and then took a deep breath.

"I was wondering if you knew of any job openings as an Astronomy teacher?"

There was a tense silence in which Logan feared he had insulted his old Professor. Then Thomas stared laughing. And laughing. He was laughing so hard he could barely stop.

Logan felt embarrassed, and was immediately regretting all of his decisions. "I'm sorry Professor Sanders, I understand if you don't think that I am qualified-"

"NO!" Thomas yelled, immediately halting all laughter. "Logan, I think that you are one of the most qualified people in the world! I was not laughing because of the absurdity of you wanting to be a teacher, I was laughing because of the timing."Logan was confused. "What do you mean the timing?"

"Well," Thomas started, "as it turns out, I have been teaching for a very long time and have decided that it is time for me to retire! The only thing is, I don't want to leave the college before I have the proper replacement in line. Someone I know and trust, and someone who I am sure will take the course load seriously. Do you see where I am going with this Logan?"

Logan's breathing was shallow, and his hope was souring. "I think so. I hope so." Logan whispered. Thomas just laughed. "Where I am going with this is, Logan, would you be interested in taking my place at the college as the Astronomy Professor?"

In a burst of something Logan couldn't identify, he let out a squeal that he would deny till his dying breath that he ever made.

Thomas's laughter was renewed yet again. "I'll take that as a yes." Logan realized that he had never responded.

"YES! Yes! Oh my gosh, yes! It would be an honor!" "Well," Thomas started, "we would have to get it cleared with the board and make sure that everything is fine, but I am positive that if you can send me your resume, request you be my replacement at the next board meeting, which is coincidentally, this Friday. Do you think you could get me a copy of your resume by then?"

Logan nervously laughed, having already pulled up his resume on his computer as soon the Professor mentioned Logan possibly taking over his position. "Um, is your email still the same?"

After some laughter and confirmation, Thomas had Logan's resume and Logan had hope that things are turning around. Thomas told Logan that he would alert him of the boards decision, and bid him a good night.

Logan thanked Thomas profusely, and said good night as well. Logan thought of everything thing that had happened just today. It certainly was eventful. Logan thought of Virgil, and how much he had done for Logan in less then 24 hours.

Logan then had a thought, and went to go look up how many flowers mean 'thank you'. (And maybe a few other floral meanings as well.)