A lot of eyes are on Nora and Jack. At first she thinks it’s because they’re old, but then she realizes it’s because they’re both wearing masks. People hate to be reminded of the pandemic that stole more than a year of everyone’s life. The big duffel bag Jack carries probably doesn’t help. The two of them look like a warning. They look like they’re heading into a shoot-out or robbery. And in a way, they are.

An older woman with dyed orange hair, a floral sweatshirt, and polyester pants walks toward them and Jack calls out, “Hi, Wendy.”

The woman pauses, narrowing her eyes, not recognizing Jack with his mask on, so he pulls it briefly aside. “It’s me.”

“Oh, it’s you, Professor Abernathy. I’m glad it’s you.”

“Jack. It’s just Jack.”

They pause on the same square of sidewalk and she says, “I’m glad it’s you, because he’s looking for you.”

“Who?”

“Professor Gordon. He’s been looking everywhere for you.”

“Oh God. What does the Tapir want now?”

“The who?”

“Never mind. Why does he want to talk to me? Is it about my class? The one he reviewed?”

Nora dredges up an old memory and places Wendy as the department secretary, introduced over the cookie tray at some long-ago holiday gathering. She might have been wearing a similar sweatshirt then, decorated with snowflakes instead of flowers.

“I believe it’s about the classes you haven’t taught,” Wendy says. “Over the past several days. Several students have stopped by the office to complain. Professor Gordon said he’s left you several e-mails and voice mails.”

“Oh, right. Yeah. I’m so sorry about that. I’ve been sick.”

“Well, it’s no good to be sick.” She takes a step back. “That’s why you’re wearing the mask?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m wearing the mask.” He sets down the duffel bag to rest his arm, and it makes a clanking noise; Wendy looks at it curiously.

“But you see—everyone’s quite upset,” she says. “And then the janitorial staff put in a complaint about the state of your lab.”

“That’s actually where I’m headed right now.”

“Good. That’s good. You’re going to clean it up, then?”

“No.”

“No?”

“Tell everyone I’m on the verge of a big breakthrough.”

“Oh?” Wendy’s cheeks bunch up in a confused smile.

“Huge!” Jack says and throws out his arms. “World-changing!”

“Oh, that’s good to hear. I’ve always liked you. I’m rooting for you, Professor Abernathy.”

“Just Jack is fine.”

She gives them both a little wave. Jack scoops up the duffel bag and they continue on. “Department secretary,” he says.

“I gathered.”

His head swings toward her a few times. “Why do you look so irritated? Because I didn’t introduce you?”