Read The Other Half of My Soul for Free Online

come out of the foreign language building. What language are you studying?”
    “Spanish. Advanced conversation.” She appeared uninterested and turned away.
    * * *
    Standing on the dais, Professor Quintin Nolan welcomed the class and introduced himself. He boasted about holding two doctorate degrees, one in philosophy and one in chemistry. Over his slight frame, the professor wore a short-sleeve white cotton shirt tucked into baggy gray trousers. His thinning brown hair was combed over to the side to mask his baldness. Sallow skin, large ears, and a protruding Adam’s apple gave him a gaunt appearance. Pacing back and forth as he spoke, the educator alternated between pushing back his oversized black-rimmed spectacles and stroking his beardless chin. The teaching assistant handed out the class schedule while Nolan discussed the semester’s curriculum. Then the professor began his lecture.
    “What if I told you an organism has been discovered that will clean up any oil spill in water or on land, and it will soon be introduced to the world?” He paused, giving the students a chance to absorb his question. “Any comments?”
    Several hands went up. “I think a discovery like this would save the world a lot of money, time, and cleanup,” said one student.
    “This would be an ecological breakthrough,” added a tall, lanky boy.
    “You say this organism will devour oil? What else will it devour in its path?” Rayna asked.
    Nolan continued to pace back and forth while nudging up his glasses and stroking his chin. “Hmmm, I don’t know.”
    “You don’t know? What if it devours everything in sight? What if it consumes more than the oil in the water? More than the fuel spill on the road?”
    “Good questions. Uhhhh . . . I didn’t catch your name.”
    “Rayna.”
    “Yes. Good questions, Rayna.”
    Rami raised his hand. “What kind of an organism is it?”
    “Let’s call it bacteria.”
    “Who will have access to these bacteria? Who will own the rights and make the money?”
    “Excellent reasoning. Your brains are working. Now, your assignment is to come up with questions and answers. Philosophize. Rationalize. Look at every angle. I want each of you to find a partner and work together on this project. It will be due three weeks from today. Typed, twelve-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, five to seven pages.” Professor Nolan looked at his watch. “You have half an hour to find a partner and get started before class ends. And this assignment will be one-third of your grade, so don’t take it lightly.”
    * * *
    Rami lifted his eyebrows and smiled. Dare he hope? Rayna returned the smile. Jonathan, who had graciously offered to give Rayna rides back to Brooklyn, tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around. “Want to partner?” he asked.
    Rami’s faint glimmer of hope faded and he fidgeted in his seat. Rayna hesitated, glanced back at Rami, then looked away. “Thanks Jonathan, but I already have a partner.”
    “Well, too bad for me. I won’t be at Hillel tonight. See you at two tomorrow.” He stomped off.
    Breathing a sigh of exhilaration, Rami beamed, “I would be honored to work on this assignment with you.”
    “It’s your smile.” Rayna’s comment was spontaneous.
    “My smile?”
    “Your smile. It’s radiant and sexy. I like it,” she blushed.
    Rami’s face turned crimson.
    She extended her hand. “Hi, I’m Rayna.”
    Feeling the softness of her skin as he gently clasped her tiny hand in his, he knew right then that he would want no one else but her. Ever. “Hi. My name is Rami.”
    They exchanged telephone numbers and agreed to meet for lunch at eleven the next day in the Student Union.
    * * *
    Not wanting to be late, Rami left class early. For him, this opportunity was a stroke of good fortune. Scanning the area for Rayna and not seeing her, Rami secured a table before they were all taken by the students streaming in for lunch. Sitting down, he patiently waited and watched.