Collin, “and what was your final grade for the course?”
Leo responded with a measure of disgust, “a B minus.”
Gilda joined the discussion, “What grade did you get in English 2007,” she asked sharply.
“An A,” replied Leo.”
“What did the course in English 2007 consist of?” pried Gilda again.
“Shakespeare,” came the reply from Leo, “Shakespeare’s Tragedies and Romances.”
“What did the course in English 2002 consist of?” Donna probed further.
“The Nineteenth Century English Novel,” responded Leo.
There was silence in the group, and a mixture of silent expression. Flashing thoughts were evident in revealing eyes. A head or two shook in dismay. There was puzzlement. There was astonishment. Leo had done far better in the more difficult course.
Collin Seldon eventually broke the silence with a question, “Why, Leo, did you not go to university immediately after high school graduation? Why wait ‘till now?”
“A-w-w.” replied Leo dejectedly, “I got turned off from studying by a couple of obnoxious high school teachers. “Then raising his voice in determination, “the same way as I’d get turned off now by this professor, if I’d let him, but I’m not going to let him do it to me. That’s not going to happen this time. I’m older now.”
“Tell us a little about yourself and your family,” suggested Collin.
Leo began without hesitation, beginning with his father for whom, it soon became obvious, he had much respect. “My father was a judge, a good one too, and a good all around man. That was a blessing for me in one way, but in another way it was a problem. You see, my father was an outstanding public figure, and some people used to pick on me for it. I used to get it slapped up to me.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters, Leo?” pried Collin again.
“Yes,” replied Leo, “one brother and one sister. They are both older than me.”
“Did they go to university after completing high school?” asked Collin.
“Yes, they did, and both graduated and have done well,” said Leo, heavily, then as though to make light of his burden, he added jestingly, “now I’m trying to catch up.”
Some group members smiled, but Collin remained serious, and inquired further, “did your brother and sister get picked on because of your father’s position?”
Leo blushed and got nervous. “Well some I guess,” he replied awkwardly and with embarrassment, “but not as much as I did. I was younger I guess.”
“Did you have a group of friends Leo?” asked Collin again.
“Oh yes,” replied Leo, now relieved with this less bothersome question.” I had some good friends; but also many enemies, mostly members of what I regarded as questionable peer type clusters of students. Out of respect for my father, I wouldn’t associate with them so they would shun me.”
Collin kept up the questions, “Did your brother and sister have similar trouble with peer groups?”
Leo’s face flushed and he stared at Collin with complete fear.
Collin spoke again. “What I’m getting at, Leo, is that there is another reason other than your father’s position why you were picked on by some teachers and peers when you were in high school, and now again by a professor in university.” Then Collin quickly and reassuringly added, “this other reason is not something that is your fault, and not something you could have avoided. It has to do with you, your makeup as a person, exceptional in some ways, that causes some people to like you real well, and others to hate you profoundly.”
Leo nodded in agreement, then added a little excitedly, “I think I know what you are getting at, Collin, but I couldn’t dare discuss it myself for fear of being labeled conceited. It has been in the back of my mind but I have never brought it out into the open.”
“I know how it is,” replied Collin, sympathetically, “to discuss it is to leave yourself open to all sorts of labels and misunderstandings so it gets pushed into the subconscious, or at least way back in the shadows somewhere. Your brother and sister didn’t get picked on to any extent but you did. It wasn’t because of whose son you were, although that would definitely be the outwardly indicated reason, the alibi given by your tormentors. It was because you, fine person that you were and still are, too nice a person for their kind to tolerate. You stood out among others, not only in appearance, but also in character and intelligence. They were envious of this and held it against you every opportunity. We can explore this later, together with their ways and means of putting you down, as we proceed with the stories.
Collin looked around at the group members for possible response. Their faces were bright with expectation as though they knew what was coming over the horizon and into this group; all except young Albin who was overwhelmed by the intimation of so much new knowledge to come, and the elder Dr. Eldren, who appeared mystified for the same reason.
“Just one more question from me for today, Leo,” spoke Collin again. “You haven’t mentioned your mother, how does she fit into your life?” Leo replied, “My mother in her lackadaisical way, sees me according to her own concept of me. She just makes such casual remarks as, “Leo won’t get as far ahead as the others. He just doesn’t have the drive,” She means me no harm, but could never help me to better either.”
“I see, thank you,” responded Collin. “That’s all I wish to ask you this evening, Leo, thanks for your co-operation.”
“And thank you, Collin,” he replied with enthusiasm and enlightenment.
“Very interesting, indeed fascinating,” replied Dr. Eldren, and since Gilda had considerable input to this evenings discussions, I think it would be helpful to hear her story next week, if she will agree.”
“I’ll be prepared to do so next week, Dr. Eldren,” Gilda volunteered.
After parting courtesies Dr. Eldren left for other commitments.
Owen brought to the attention of the others that there was a nice student gathering place, The Corner Coffee Shop, just down the street next to the parking lot. They all decided to go there for coffee and snacks, and socializing in a lighter vein before driving home.
Chapter Three
Quilibet University was now into the second week of its fall semester. It was, on the whole, a good institution, not world renowned, but domestically respected, and generally considered to be a good place to go. Many successful careers would be fashioned here - careers that would do much good in a sometimes erratic world. Such a world seemed to be symbolized in the routine activity of students as they poured out over the campus on their way to classes, criss-crossing this way and that, to one building or another, many hundreds of them all at once. Most of them are exuberant and lively, some smiling, others serious looking, many chatting, others deep in thought; altogether giving the campus the sensation of being fully alive. As students enter the lecture rooms and classes begin, then for an hour or so on the grounds outside, all is quiet, except for only an occasional person criss-crossing
