The Autumn Prince

35. Call Me Kelly

When we all agreed to limit our time on campus, I didn't consider the amount of work involved. Becca was already schooling online and Rachel's major had an equivalent e-learning program. Katherine had a good relationship with her professors and she was able to transition without a lot of fuss, but there was no off-site graduate program for pharmacology at BAU, so I had to negotiate with each of my professors, in person, before they would make an exception.

Rachel accompanied me to the campus to resign her position as RA and meet with her replacement before handing-off the responsibilities. I parked in the girls' dormitory lot so Rachel could move her belongings out of her room, and we agreed to meet up again by noon.

It didn't go as badly as I feared. I was highly motivated to make the teacher visits as brief as possible, which might have worked to my advantage because I didn't waste time coming up with weak explanations. Two of my classes transferred without drama through the department secretary and I was given an exception due to my former illness for three more. The bioethics professor, who had ironically protested my admission, was so pleased that I wouldn't be returning to her classroom that she gave me an A on the spot. The only real casualty was neurology, which offered no options or exceptions, so I regrettably had to drop the class. That left microbiology with Miss Barnes.

After my brief hiatus, surrounded by green growing things and organic designs, I marveled again at how much Tory Hall's bio lab looked like the set of a science fiction blockbuster. Kelly Barnes commanded an empty room from her desk, chewing on the end of a pencil while reading something on her tablet. I announced myself with a knock on the doorframe and she beckoned me inside.

"Mister Corwen," she said, setting her screen aside. "How have you been?"

"Hi Professor, I'm good. I was hoping I could talk to you about my work."

She sat quietly, waiting for me to continue.

"Um, I'm afraid I won't be able to attend my regular classes through the end of the year, and I was wondering if there was any way for me to finish the semester online."

"Is there a problem, Mister Corwen?"

"It's—personal."

"I see," she said, frowning slightly. "You're aware of my attendance requirement?"

"I am, and if I had a choice I'd gladly be here."

She put the end of her pencil between her teeth and stared, as if trying to deduce my secrets. "I believe you," she said finally, "but only because of your past performance. Are you certain you can't come in periodically, say, once a week?"

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, professor."

She considered me for another minute, then used her pencil to scribble something on a notepad. "Very well, I think we can work something out. You're an outstanding student, and I would be willing to waive your homework if you can show me an A or better on the two remaining tests and your final. I expect that falls easily within your reach. Does that help?"

"That would be amazing, professor, thank you!" I smiled broadly, cheering on my own luck.

"Not so fast," she said, holding up a hand. "My generosity doesn't extend to every teacher in the school. Including mine, you have lab requirements for three classes?"

"Four."

"And you have a little catching up to do."

"I know," I sighed. That was the detail I'd been dreading. The lab presented even more risk than a classroom since students tended to move around, increasing opportunities for contact. Worse, there were at least as many men as women on any given day, and the results of an hour in my company could end in far worse than doe eyes and aggressive flirting. "Would there be any way for me to come in after hours?"