Something To Do

Christopher

I drove to the college campus and quickly found the office. I was directed down a hall and asked to wait. Being on campus took me back to my younger years when I had attended the University of Minnesota. My degree in business had paid off. Now it was time to pursue something just for the sake of having fun. I didn’t need any more money.

“Mr. Evans?” a middle-aged man called my name.

“That’s me,” I said, getting to my feet and following him into a tiny office.

“Hi, I’m Gerald Enders, one of the advisors here. I understand you were interested in taking some classes?”

I nodded. “I am. I’m just not entirely sure what.”

“I see. You have a Bachelor’s in business, are you thinking about pursuing a masters?”

“No, definitely not. I’ve mastered the business world.”

He smiled, obviously not believing me. “Do you want to try another major?”

“Yes, possibly. I’m not sure I’m interested in another four-year degree, but I do want to try my hand at something new.”

“Are you interested in taking classes to pursue a specific career or more of the hobby variety? If it’s the latter, then I must tell you a community college would be a better choice.”

I shook my head. “No, I’m not interested in taking a class here or there. I’m prepared to pay tuition. I’m interested in you helping me figure out what kind of degree I should pursue based on my interests. Don’t you have a test or something like that?”

He smiled. “I do, but I think you’re probably old enough to have a good idea about what it is you do and don’t like, Mr. Evans.”

I winked. “Please, call me Christopher. I do have a good idea about what I don’t want. I don’t want science or math anything. Been there, done that and I don’t want to do it again. I have no interest in computers or anything related to business.”

“Psychology?”

I wrinkled my nose. “Maybe something like religious studies. I’ve always been intrigued by human nature.”

“I have just the thing,” he said excitedly.

“Really?”

“Yes, I can sign you up for a few classes, but there is one I think you will definitely want to take. It’s a Greek Mythology course. It’s a mini-mester.”

“It’s a what?”

“A mini-mester. It’s about three weeks. Because it’s done during the winter break, it’s a quick way to pick up some credits. Some of our students who would be short a few credits for graduation in the spring take classes like this.”

“I see. Greek Mythology? Like Hades and Aphrodite?”

He chuckled. “I believe so, but I will admit I know very little about the subject. However, Professor Leila Bell knows everything there is to know about the subject. Students who have taken the class have been very pleased. She can take a subject that some find boring and mundane and make it great, according to the reviews I’ve read. She’s an excellent teacher. If you take her class and find it dull, then I don’t think religious studies is the direction you really want to go in.”

“Hmm, I don’t think I’ve ever really studied the subject. Maybe back in high school, but I remember very little.”

“Look, Mr. Evans, Christopher, you look like a man who has been successful in life. Are you sure you really want to go back and start over again?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know for sure, but one never knows until he tries, right?”

“I’m not trying to discourage you from going back to school, but for us older folks, the commitment is tough. We get used to our routines and the thought of hanging out with kids half our age and doing homework, well, it’s daunting. I can honestly say I don’t think I would do it. When I retire, I’m done. I’ll be on the lake, fishing. The last thing I want to think about is turning in reports and listening to lectures.”

I laughed. “I hear you, I really do, but my life has been thrown off my original course. I need something to keep me busy and I can only fish and golf so much. I need to feed my brain.”

“I get it,” he nodded. “Let’s get you signed up then.”

“The Greek class, right?”

“Yes, we’ll get you going with that and then if you think you’re serious, we’ll see what classes have room left in them for the next semester. I have to warn you, they do fill up fast.”

“That works for me. I would only be interested in part-time enrollment anyway. I do want to enjoy my retirement somewhat.”

He laughed, jotting down the name of the class before sending me to the registrar. I followed the directions he’d given me and an hour later, I was walking out of the building officially enrolled in college. If only Carlie could see me now.

I got back into the truck and thought about my wife. Part of me wanted to pursue religious studies because I wanted to find proof that there was a heaven. I wanted to believe Carlie was happy in heaven and watching over Olin and me. I needed to believe that. I wanted to think of her waiting under some big oak tree in heaven, ready to greet me when I finally got there.

My practical, logical mind told me that wasn’t the case, but there was a small part of me that needed to believe in something bigger than life on earth. Earth sucked. Earth was full of pain and regrets. I needed to think about a place that was happy and perfect.

I needed unicorns and glitter and lots of rainbows. Olin had told me I was a fool to believe in heaven. He’d been hurt and angry and when I had tried to tell him Mom was in heaven looking out for us, he’d gotten pissed.

Maybe, just maybe I could find something in the study of religion that would give him something to hold onto. We both needed something that would help ease our pain.