Page 45 of Roman
I looked back at Gladys. “If you plan on going through with it, then go ahead and add her.”
“Him,” I said. It was odd enough having to pretend that I was actually married to Beau, but there was no way I was going to pretend he wasn’t who he was.
“Him, then,” Gladys said. “Just put his information down, and I’ll get it filed.”
I nodded as I pulled out my pen. I quickly filled out the information, that was, until I came to Beau’s SSN. “I do not know his social off of the top of my head. Can I bring this back?” I asked Gladys. She looked annoyed.
“I had to do the same thing,” Calum said. “There’s probably a million things we know about them, but when it comes to things like their socials, I still have to look Asher’s up.” I owed Calum such a huge thanks for all that he was doing for me.
Gladys looked like she was about to argue, but Director May stepped in. “Bringing it back next time you are on campus isn’t going to be an issue. I believe the other two were just signatures on forms?” Director May said, looking at Gladys.
“Yes,” she told him. She hastily pointed out where I needed to sign, and after a quick scan, I saw that they were indeed simple forms: one for my direct deposit and the other for my agreement to the code of conduct. Both seemed fairly straightforward, and I signed without any hesitation. I took the other form and held it. I was certain that there would be some sort of answer for Beau’s information. My brothers and I had identification, so why wouldn’t Beau?
“Is there anything else you need from me at the moment?” I asked.
“No. Your forms are in the packet. Yours has the key to your office as well. If you require any sort of supplies, they’re in the supply room, which is over there,” Gladys said as she pointed at a door off to her left. “Just log what it is you take so the system will update it and we don’t suddenly find ourselves without pens or dry-erase markers.”
“Of course,” I said.
“I’ll get someone to show you where your office is,” Gladys said.
“No need,” Calum said, jumping back into the conversation. “I had planned on showing him around the campus a bit before we headed back home. Adding in a stop at his office won’t be an issue in the least.”
Gladys smiled a beaming grin at Calum. “Thank you, Dr. Ward. You’re making my job a bit easier.”
We finished up the paperwork, and after we both signed the form that we’d received our packets, we were finally on our way. Out the door we went, and when I tried to go right, Calum grabbed my arm and pulled me to the left.
“I’ll show you where my office is, and then we’ll find yours.”
“Yes. I…is she always like that?” I asked when we were several feet away from what I’d consider the main office of ourbuilding. “She was super friendly with you, but I’m not sure she even liked me.”
Calum snorted. “She was like that with me when I first started here. Give it a few months and she’ll be just as friendly with you. Especially if you show her a picture of your baby. She’s all about babies. She has something like a dozen grandchildren of her own.”
“That’s…you know, I would say that’s a lot, but thinking about some of the families on Treasure Ridge, it’s not that many.”
Calum chuckled. “No. But we have a different advantage over others.” Calum glanced over his shoulder as he approached a door, but I didn’t need to turn my head to know that someone was walking down the massive commons area. “This is my office,” he told me.
I rolled my eyes and pointed at the nameplate on the door. “I never would have guessed that, Dr. Ward, if you hadn’t said so.”
“Shut up,” Calum said as he gently shoved me. I was laughing when I entered the office but then quickly stopped. This place was so nice. It was easily the size of my home office, and I was actually surprised by how big it was. There was a wall of bookshelves filled with books as well as things that looked like artifacts.
“You did…are these real?” I asked as I moved over to what looked like a piece of pottery that was enclosed in a case.
“They’re all real. Most are mine, but some are on loan from the university. Perk of being one of the lead professors in the archelogy department.”
“I’ll bet.” I picked up a book and immediately knew it was old. I looked over at Calum. “Why isn’t this in a clamshell or something else?”
“Because it’s mine, and although it’s older than me, it normally doesn’t ever move beyond when I packed andunpacked it. I had the help of my father, and he’s quite particular when it comes to certain things. There is no need for anything beyond simply being careful with it.”
I nodded. So Calum’s warlock father had most likely done something to help protect the books. That was useful.
“So when do you think you’ll go on another dig?” I asked, changing the subject. It was obvious that Calum loved the field side of his job. His office showcased that in abundance.
“Asher and I plan on going together once we’re finished having children and they’re a little older. We’ll leave them with my parents at first, but later, we’ll take them with us. It’s something we both would love to have them experience.”
I nodded. “I can understand that.” I glanced around the office. “Just the stuff in here is impressive. I have nothing even close to this, but I certainly appreciate your collection.”
“You’ll get there,” Calum said. “I’ve been doing it a few more years than you.”
