They gasped for air. He kissed her neck.
“No kissing,” she reminded. She scrambled out from under him, and rushed from the room.
^^^2007^^^
“Dad, I’m joining the Marines,” Marcus said.
“What?” Cliff said as he looked up from the newspaper.
“I don’t see the point of finishing college,” the twenty-year-old said. “I’ve been there two years, and I don’t know what I want to major in. I feel like I’m treading water.
“I should have signed up after high school as Tim and Terry did. They are making a difference, fighting terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“You promised your mother…”
“I know. I will finish my education when my enlistment is over. It’ll be a heck of a lot easier. The G.I. Bill will pay for it.”
“Don’t worry about the money.”
“That’s not the reason. I need to get my shit together. Since Mom passed, I’ve been adrift.”
“You and me both.”
“This is a good thing…for me…for my country. I’ll be doing something important.”
Cliff stood, hugged his son, and said, “I understand. I’m proud of you.”
^^^four years later^^^
“I hardly recognize you,” Cliff said as he hugged his son.
“I’m dirty and haven’t shaved in days,” Marcus said.
“No. There’s a different glint in your eyes. You left as a boy, and you returned as a man.”
The two husky, sandy-haired men embraced.
At dinner that night, Marcus said, “While in the Marines, I learned about data analytics.”
“In my day, the Marines were all about push-ups, midnight marches with full packs, and being yelled at by your drill instructor.”
“I got plenty of that,” Marcus said. They shared a laugh.
“Every organization benefits from improving operations, cutting costs, streamlining operations, and generally maximizing the efficiencies of their machinery and personnel. I’m going to college and get a master’s degree in data analytics.”
^^^2013^^^
In Marcus’s final year at the university, fifteen other students were seeking the same degree. They could be counted on to be in the specialized classes with a few interlopers. The regulars got to know each other because, in business school, group projects are a way of life.
Scarlett was a studious, slim woman with bangs and long, jet-black hair. She caught Marcus’ attention because, unlike the other women in the class, she made no effort to make herself attractive. She wore no makeup, her hair was always in a simple ponytail, and she didn’t wear stylish clothes.
He took that to mean she was serious about her studies and not here to get an MRS degree. He saw many young women at the college who appeared more interested in finding a husband than in pursuing academic achievement.
A second reason he noticed her was that when the teacher called on her, she had the correct answer.
He worked on a couple of group projects with her. He saw that she had a gift for data mining, collecting, scrubbing, and analyzing gigantic caches of raw data.
To Marcus, she was the perfect person to partner with on projects. Others avoided her because she was different. To put it politely, she wasn’t a ‘people person’.
After class one day, Marcus approached her and said, “Hello, Scarlett, we have another group project. Want to partner up?”
She studied him before answering.
“Okay. We need two more participants. Will you find them? People like you. Me, not so much.”
He nodded. She gathered her things and walked away.
Marcus filled the other slots with intellectually curious people who had taken the class to get a taste of data analytics. They didn’t have a deep knowledge of the field and were not sought after by the other groups.
The four of them made a good team. Marcus and Scarlett did the heavy lifting. Tom had a background in financial consulting and a talent for creating spreadsheets. Marcia was interested in marketing.
Marcia and Tom constructed the PowerPoint presentation. She delivered it to the class, and Marcus and Scarlett answered the tough questions. The professor heaped praise on the group and told the class, “That was excellent. I hope the rest of you can match the standard they set.”
The class ended, and the group gathered their things.
The professor came up to Scarlett and Marcus and said, “Companies want me to do projects for them. I have a request from one now.” He tapped his jacket pocket.
“I no longer have the time. You have the skills. You could knock it out in your spare time and earn a nice chunk of change. Interested?”
“It’s certainly worth considering,” Marcus said.
The teacher reached into his pocket, pulled out a letter, and said, “Look this over. If you’re interested, call them. Tell them I recommended you. If you decide to pass, drop the letter off at my office.”
He gave the letter to Marcus and hurried away.
Scarlett looked at Marcus and asked, “What is ‘chunk of change’?”
“Freedom.”
She still had a quizzical look on her face.
“We have an opportunity to earn money by doing a data analytic project for a company. It’ll be just like the class project we just finished, but this time, we get paid.”
“I like data analytics,” Scarlett said. “I find it fascinating, and I am good at it.”
“You are very good at it. You have a gift. Let me look into it.”
She nodded.
^^^
Marcus called the company, discussed the project, and listened to their offer. They came to terms. He talked to Scarlett about it, and she was on board. They completed it out in a couple of weeks.
“Scarlett, the customer is satisfied with our analysis,” Marcus said. “Here is your share of the money.” He handed her an envelope with cash.
She didn’t look at it. She put it in her purse.
“Can I buy you a beer tonight or take you out dancing to repay you for your hard work?” He spoke in a jesting manner.
She heard his words as a serious offer and said, “I am busy tonight, but if you want to do something for me be my plus one on Saturday. My cousin is getting married, and I was told I should bring someone because weddings are a celebration of coupling.”
“Oh. Okay,” Marcus said, surprised.
“The wedding is at five o’clock. Dinner is at seven, and there is a party afterward. I planned on having an early lunch and leaving at noon. It is a two-hour drive. We will check into the hotel and rest. I will meet my mother at 3:00 to do my hair and makeup and become presentable. We will leave at 4:30 to go to the church.”
“I see. You have it planned well.”
“I like routines and schedules.”
“What is the name of the hotel you’re staying at? I’ll call and get a room.”
“The wedding party is taking over the Meadow Inn. All the rooms are taken. I have space for you.”
“Okay. Want me to drive?”
“I like to drive. Give me your phone.”
Marcus unlocked his phone and handed it to her. Scarlett typed and said, “I gave you my phone number and address. Meet me at noon on Saturday. Do whatever guys do to prepare for a wedding. Mother says that Friday night I should shave my legs and pits.”
Marcus grimaced.
Scarlett noticed and said in a flat voice, “Did I overshared? Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable. I have autism. Do you know anyone who is autistic?”
“No.”
“My brain is not wired like yours. I perceive things and react differently than you. We could argue over who is defective, but since there are more people like you, you are considered normal, and I am judged not.