Then Tora-chan noticed Terry. Jumped up on counter next to stand; sat, stared. Twin clicked bill several times; fluffed, settled feathers; stared back without rancor. Tora-chan considered pros, cons; decided had better things to do. Returned to Adam’s lap. Then pooled energies with bird, glaring as Rollo hustled around kitchen, making dinner, small-talking nonstop (over long months’ isolation, had built up substantial conversational pressures).
Couldn’t understand Terry’s attitude; Rollo so nice — apart from not being cat person, of course. And even there, had — well — not totally unreasonable justification for conduct. Perhaps brother’s opinion based on initial appearance, smell; or spur-of-moment approval of cat — offended by Rollo’s treatment of new friend at door.
But, though never known him wrong about stranger, inclined to be less conservative myself now that meeting Adam turned out well; now I had partner, reliable backup if crisis developed.
Besides, wanted meeting Rollo to turn out well; wanted for friend. Embodied most good qualities friend should have: intelligent, understanding, good-humored — funny (for five dreadful minutes he and Adam engaged in pun-ishing contest: Adam won, but issue in doubt right up to final groan).
Plus, as predinner conversation turned into dinner conversation, developed that Rollo had been everywhere, done everything: Peace Corps physician for years in Africa, India, South America. Spent year traveling as resident physician with Ringling Brothers Circus. Vacations included photo expeditions through Malaysia, Australia, Alaska. Had driven race cars in Europe (Adam’s eyes bugged; already assembling list of questions), semis during summers while in school; flown sailplanes in Lee Wave over Minden, Nevada; snorkled Caribbean, South Pacific; climbed K2 in Himalayas. Wrote textbooks, had own TV show on local station, was two-term state house representative. Finally got into private practice, teaching, then administration. Both Daddy, Teacher had guest-taught at his school at one time or another.
This led to discussion of Teacher’s work, H. post hominem theory, physical characteristics of new breed. Rollo listened intently to précis of events leading to species’ discovery. Asked occasional questions. Finally shook head in amazement: “Damn, I wish I could have participated in that study. McDivott invited me to take part years ago, but I was just heading off to Save the World in the Peace Corps. Wonderful…”
Then we got into my, Adam’s survival, meeting; trip to this point, zoo-animal problem; clues unearthed thus far, purpose, hoped-for ultimate destination. Rollo impressed: Offered long, low whistle at narrative’s conclusion. Opined were braver than he, out exploring by ourselves. His reaction to tragedy was dig hole, climb in, pull in after him: Withdrew, feeling sorry for self, grieving over loss of wife.
Rollo met her there at school. Twenty years his junior, she “…kept me young and interested — and our sudden marriage caused all kinds of entertainingly wicked gossip for first few months. When nothing materialized, it all petered out on a disappointed note.
“We never did have any children — much less that nine-pound preemie everyone expected. It wasn’t a question of age; 25 would have been a fine age for Sally to begin bearing children; and, by microscopic examination, it looked as if I’d be fertile until they hammered down the headstone. We were waiting for me to retire so we both could be full-time parents. I had a bunch of investments that would have matured in another two years. We did take the precaution of freezing a quart or so of my semen, just in case my prognostications proved overly optimistic…
“Which brings us to our next topic…”
Leaned back, sighed, patted his tummy, still amazingly flat despite quantity put away. “Golly, that was good. I wonder what I did right.” (Adam stared vacantly at ceiling; Rollo hadn’t noticed him sniffing pots during preparation.)
“…which is, of course, Candy.” Rollo smiled fondly at me. Smiled back; such a nice man. Turning then to Adam, Rollo sat up straight, folded hands on edge of table, assumed serious mien.
“Sir,” he began, “it appears that you are in sole possession of something we both want. In the absence of law, it becomes necessary to settle the matter between us personally. The question is: Shall we resolve it like the gentlemen we purport to be, or must we fall back on the time-honored method?”
Adam’s expression the very picture of noncomprehension. Rollo regarded him soberly. “In other words, will you share Candy with me or must we fight over her?”
Adam’s eyes snapped open. Understood now — and so did I…!
Mouth open, retort quivering on tip of tongue; but Adam beat me to it. Did good job, too; covered every point would have raised myself, plus angles hadn’t thought of (and language more diplomatic than I would have employed): “Candy is not my property. She is no one’s property. I doubt if she ever will be anyone’s property. I have no authority over her, nor is my permission required for any arrangement anyone might or might not reach with her. If you want to discuss sharing anything with her, you will have to talk to her.”
Rollo pursed lips thoughtfully. Then nodded approvingly. “Fair enough, sir. And spoken like a gentleman. Thank you.”
Turned to me. “I’m sorry; I misapprehended the relationship between you. I think I have it now.
“All right; are you willing to share Adam with me, or must we fight over him?”
If Adam startled before, completely dumbfounded now. Mouth flapped soundlessly. And surely doing no better myself.
Situation static for long moments. Rollo stared, aspect implacably serious, waiting for reply. Then eyes twinkled. Seconds later snickered, went directly thence to belly-laughing. Tears running down cheeks before managed to stop.
Personally saw nothing funny, but held counsel, pending explanation.
“Oh, I am sorry,” he puffed at length. “I wish I had a picture of your faces just then.
“Okay…” Rollo sobered finally; mood darkened, became almost somber. “I gave you both a shock. I did it deliberately to make sure that I had your undivided attention. I was teasing, of course; sex is the Oldest Funny Subject, and it’s easy to get sidetracked. Besides, it sometimes helps to joke when the issue is serious. And this is very serious.
“You two are too young to understand just how serious sex can be in an adult world. But believe me when I tell you: No subject lies closer to the raw, untamed primitive in every man. Men have killed, and will kill again, over sex. Sex is serious business: That’s a boiler-plate given; an unalterable fact of life. Don’t forget it. Ever.
“Now, I don’t know whether you two have become sexually involved yet or not — frankly, I don’t care. That’s history; it’s none of my business. What is my business is the fact that I am a healthy adult male. I’m in the prime of life. I was married for five wonderful years to an equally healthy adult woman, whose sex drive was as well-developed as mine. We enjoyed an enthusiastic, extremely active, and marvelously fulfilling sex life…”
Paused, eyed me bleakly. “I miss her — and it — very much.”
Adam later reported was tossup whether my eyes or mouth open wider.
Rollo nodded sympathetically; continued gently: “Yes, that’s precisely what I’m getting at. And yes, you are younger than anyone with whom I’ve contemplated sexual relations. But not by much.