but it bends towards justice.
― Theodore Parker
Last Sunset
It would be an understatement to say Sylvie was delighted she'd be given one last visit with her sister―she was over the moon with joy.
Paige broke the news to her because she'd be writing the script to guide Sylvie back to the moment she'd spend with Lily.
Sylvie had a lifetime of choices and I was curious to know how she'd be able to settle on one. For me it'd be exciting but a daunting challenge to be able to relive one of the happiest moments of my life―not that there weren't a few, I just wouldn't be able to know which one to choose.
Sylvie apparently didn't hesitate a second―she chose a time she and her sister rented a cottage and vacationed in Florida on Anna Maria island. They swam, walked the beach, collected sea shells and talked for hours.
To hear her describe it to Paige brought tears to my eyes. She didn't choose a moment of success or great attainment, she chose a few precious moments from her past that forever defined her heart.
Her regression would begin with dinner on the pier and end with the two sisters standing on their favourite beach, toasting the sunset with wine. It would be an appropriate and heartfelt visit and tribute to Lily.
The drug trial was scheduled for the following afternoon and I elected to absent myself from the session. It would be an intimate moment and my input would be minimal. Besides, I didn't want to intrude on Sylvie's privacy. Paige and Nigel could more than manage to monitor her regression.
I intended to work in my office and later grab a bite to eat at the Hart House Grill. Of course, I'd bring takeout for Nigel and Paige and join them afterwards for coffee and an update on the session.
It'd be some rare alone time and I then realized how my life had changed over the past few months. I had spent increasing time with Paige and liked it. I felt fulfilled.
The isolation I previously endured was gone and I was beginning to receive some recognition for my work from the office of the Vice-President & Provost who were responsible for academic and budgetary matters.
My self-imposed martyrdom appeared to be over.
The following morning went well and as I expected, Sylvie skipped the lecture so she could prepare herself for her last visit with her sister.
At lunch, Paige was optimistic that the session would be beneficial and provide some closure for Sylvie. I realized what a negative impact Sloane Kettering had on all our lives but wisely kept silent hoping Sylvie's final farewell would at least mitigate some of the pain of her loss.
I wished them all well and headed back to my office in the Old Medical Building near Queen's Park Circle, I was looking forward to some uninterrupted time working on my lecture prep and marking papers.
Just after five pm I had enough and wrapped up my work and headed off to Hart House for supper.
It was a golden afternoon again with the temperature in the mid 60's and a cool wind thundering in the maples. I was reminded of the Gerard Manley Hopkins poem where he wrote, the world is charged with grandeur that flames out, like shining from shook foil. It seemed a perfect description of this golden afternoon and I felt at peace with all creation.
But the atmosphere within the Hart House Grill was decidedly different. Students were babbling excitedly in groups and the cheerleaders seemed in a frenzy. I spotted Bart Reynold's from my morning lecture and called him over.
"What's all the commotion, Bart?"
His eyes were huge and cheeks flushed from excitement.
"Haven't you heard? They arrested Professor Kettering―right in the middle of his afternoon lecture, two detectives interrupted and handcuffed him. Marched him out in front of everybody!"
"You're kidding?"
"No way―it was bloody amazing!" He caught himself and then tried to curb his enthusiasm. "It's just that you see this type of thing on television but don't expect to see it in real life―not in the middle of a lecture."
Bart ran back to join the cheerleaders while I sat numb with shock.
A thousand possibilities ran through my mind about probable charges that could be laid and I must confess I had to suppress my joy at the prospect of Sloane in prison garb being brought to justice for his crimes.
I suddenly lost my appetite. It gave me no great joy to delight in another man's fall from grace no matter how merited the punishment.
I could only wonder how Sylvia and Paige would react to the news when I told them.