“I thought you wanted to give him your regards.”
“I do.”
“Well, if we’d arrived fashionably late, his throng of admirers would have made that nearly impossible.” The former university professor adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “Now, let me mingle while you go find Ken.”
“Fine.” He kissed her forehead. “Try not to break too many hearts.”
“Go find a single woman closer to your own age to spend the evening with.” With that directive, Ms. Helen blended in with the neighbors who crowded the gym.
Darius went to pay his respects to the man of the hour. He navigated past the circular dining tables, which were covered in stiff white linen and set for eight people each, similar to the setup for Quincy’s going-away party.
Darius found Kenneth’s reserved table. Quincy, who’d traveled from Philadelphia for tonight’s banquet, was already with the retiring professor. The two men sat at the table reserved for the guest of honor. Once the event officially started, Kenneth would share the reserved table with the university’s president, vice presidents, division chair, and chair of the board of trustees.
The retiring TFU professor looked exactly like what he was: an older gentleman who’d spent his entire life in academia. Average height, thin, and bespectacled, Kenneth was wearing the requisite corduroy jacket with elbow patches, white shirt, and dark pants.
“Congratulations, Ken.” Darius shook the professor’s hand.
“Darius, thanks for coming.” Kenneth’s brown eyes twinkled with warmth and welcome.
“Thanks for the invitation.”
“Of course. Of course.” Kenneth released Darius’s grip to spread his hands. “You’ve always done such a wonderful job, covering the university for the newspaper. How could I not invite you?”
Darius nodded at Quincy before returning his attention to the older professor. “Not much longer now before you’re on the beach.”
“No, it’s not.” Kenneth gestured toward the empty seat beside him. “Join us. Next week is Thanksgiving. Finals are the week after that; then I’m on my way to Florida, hopefully before the first real snowfall.”
“Trinity Falls won’t be the same without you.” Darius lowered himself onto the red padded folding chair, placing the older gentleman between Quincy and him.
“Kind of you to say.” Kenneth inclined his head.
Darius grinned at Quincy. “I’m surprised Ramona let you out of her sight.”
“She went to find someone.” Quincy smiled like a man in love.
Kenneth gestured toward Quincy with his water glass. “I was just telling Quincy how good you made me look in the article you wrote for today’s Monitor.”
Darius shook his head. “You made yourself look good.”
“Thank you.” Kenneth folded his hands. “I’m looking forward to my retirement, but a part of me is worried about the future of the history department.”
“Why?” Darius poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher in the center of the table. He offered the other two men a refill. Both declined.
“Most of my colleagues don’t have the interest or drive to grow our department’s programs.” Kenneth sighed. “Although I do have some hope for our newest professor, Dr. Peyton Harris. She shows promise.”
Kenneth was right. With that lady’s drive and determination, she’d make the history department the envy of the university.
“Someone will step up to lead the department.” Quincy stared into his glass of ice water.
Kenneth shifted in his seat to face the younger professor. “I’d hoped you’d be my successor, Quincy. But that was before you left TFU to teach at the University of Pennsylvania. Although I’m happy for you, to be completely candid, a part of me was disappointed.”
Darius frowned as a shadow moved across Quincy’s brown features. “Best-laid plans, Ken. But Quincy couldn’t turn down an offer from Penn.”
“Penn’s a big adjustment.” Quincy dragged his right hand over his clean-shaven head. “It’s very different from TFU.”
“Nothing worth having comes easily.” Darius tossed back some water. “You’ll make the transition.”
“Didn’t you sign a one-year contract?” Kenneth waved a dismissive hand. “That’ll be over at the end of the spring semester. And I’m sure TFU will take you back.”