The Geneticist

 

Rita Hayworth in the movie "Gilda."

It was a cold but sunny afternoon in the middle of Autumn, 1946. He had just seen the movie “Gilda” starring the famed actress, Rita Hayworth. Just like any fine gentleman of those days, he admire the renowned actress.

 

Walking down the cobblestones of an alley, he saw rubbles and dust blown by the wind. The war had just ended, and it was a small city in Austria.

 

He spoke in German, “where is the city’s main library?”

 

The random stranger seemed perplexed, for the city does not often get many tourists. Apparently, the local – a young teenager – couldn’t believe that someone does not know his way to one of the most visited places in town.

 

Directions were given nevertheless, so the visitor went off.

 

The way to the library, as well as the library itself, was still in chaos. The small city has not recovered from the war. Rubbles, stones, dust all over, everywhere, but the fine gentleman from somewhere else was unperturbed. After all, this isn’t even the slightest of inconveniences he has experienced.

 

“Armand?”

 

“Yes,” he answered in German.

 

“Where is your passport?”

 

“Here, Ma’m.”

 

Of course he smiled, as in every moment he speaks to someone, but the stern librarian, who rarely does, smiled even more.

 

“Were you able to see what you were looking for?” she asked.

 

“I did. Without a sweat. I guess I have to go now.”

 

“That fast? Are you sure you are done?”

 

“Well, I am. What else am I supposed to do anyway?”

 

The librarian couldn’t resist it even though that will be the first time she’ll ever do it.

 

On a small piece of paper, she wrote her name and address.

 

“I want to see you tomorrow, 4 pm. Don’t worry, it is up to you. I’ll be off-duty and I don’t care anymore,” she spoke while giving another smile – her second for that entire week.

 

There really was just something about Armand. He had a nice face, an intriguing smile, and an air of mystery – the kind that smites women effortlessly.

 

For this reason, he keeps on changing his style. Armand was no ordinary person. His job requires him to keep so many secrets. But regardless of the many changes – sometimes weekly, sometimes daily – he still attracts women everywhere he goes.

 

“It is fine,” he remembers what his boss told him after revealing his concerns. “You have a special skillset we needed for your job. All you have to do is to avoid doing dastardly acts with the women,” his boss added.

 

But Armand is a dastardly person who can’t stop dastardly acts. Again, on the night following, he went to see the librarian and did the usual activity with her – just like what he did with newfound friends wherever he goes.

 

Thankfully, no secrets revealed, and no one, not even his boss, had the slightest idea that he broke the protocol once more.

 

“In the name of love,” he said to himself. “Love is more important than war, isn’t it? Of course, no question about it.”

 

“What is your name, Madam?” as he was pushing her onto the table. Books were spread all over, knocked several times while the act was being done. They were inside the library which she opened earlier using her keys.

 

“You do not know yet? How silly. My name is ‘Gertrude.’”

 

“A beautiful name, Gertrude. A beautiful name for such a beautiful woman.”

 

“Yours is equally charming. Oh my Armand, I want to see you again tomorrow. Can we go by the lakeside?”

 

“Lakeside? Oh…”

 

“But what’s the matter? Are you going somewhere else?”

 

“I am.”

 

“Where?”

 

“I really can’t tell, and I’m sorry…"

 

“How come?”

 

“I’m not supposed to tell. I’m sorry.”

 

“You can’t trust me?”

 

“It’s not about trust, Gertrude. Even if you were my wife, I still can’t tell.”

 

“Why is that so?”

 

“I’m sorry, Gertrude, but I just can’t. What I can do is to give you this photo.”

 

She flipped the photo, and saw his face.

 

“Why, you really have a good smile.”

 

“Thanks. They always tell me. They even say, I look like a Hollywood actor.”

 

“Even better.”

 

“Really? Or are you just saying that so I would stay?”

 

“Both, Armand.”

 

They kissed, but the fine gentleman pushed her aside. He needed to go, immediately.

 

“Oh, but can we do just another round? After all, we will never experience this again.”

 

“Sure.”

 

The dastardly act had to happen again. Armand breaks that one protocol always. He didn't care if his boss might find out later on. After all, he was a young man, single, ready to mingle, and was having the time of his life.

 

Gertrude, on the other hand, was not at all heartbroken. She understands his situation, more so, after she narrated everything to her supportive grandmother, who was always happy and eager to hear her stories. Both her parents died during the war, so she now lives with her grandmother.

 

“Can you show me his picture, my darling?”

 

“Of course, Oma. Here it is.”

 

“Oh my…”

 

“What’s the matter, Oma?”

 

“Is this an old picture?”

 

“Well, I don’t think so. He looks exactly that way yesterday.”

 

“Does he have a mole near his left wrist?”

 

“What? You know him? How come!”

 

Oma scoured through her old photo albums. She eagerly flipped over the pages, until she made it to the year 1882.

 

“Look,” Oma said while showing a very old photo.

 

“Is this him?”

 

“We are talking about the same person?”

 

“If he has a mole near his left wrist, chances are, it’s the same person.”

 

“How come?”

 

“That’s my big question too, Gertrude. A person with the same face and the same mole who reappeared six decades later, and committed an unspeakable act with my very own granddaughter?”

 

“Oh, Oma. It can’t be. They might be different!”

 

“Gertrude, I cannot be mistaken! I have a PhD in Genetics. We have fallen in love with the same man six decades apart!”

 

Next Chapter: A Usual December Morning