Cellular Civilization/Lani

Charlie woke up and wondered if he had slept past the start of his first class. The only clock he knew of in the whole house was the one that was built into the microwave oven in the kitchen. He got out of bed and went to knock on the door of Lanora's bedroom. She heard him knocking and called up from the first floor, "I'm down here. Can I get you something to eat?"

Charlie went to the top of the stairs and called down, "What time is it?" Charlie once again wondered what it meant that the house had only one clock, no televisions and no computers.

Lanora replied, "Not quite seven."

"Ya, breakfast would be great, but I'm going to shower first." Charlie knew that Lanora could rely on the clock of her sell phone...maybe it did not occur to her that she might have a guest who did not have a phone.

Lanora looked up fro the foot of the stairs. "Okay, can I join you?"

Charlie's heart skipped a beat. How easy it would be to give in and love Lanora. As he let the idea swirl in his thoughts he realized that he did love her. "I have a quiz in one hour, so please don't tempt me. I'll be down in ten minutes." Charlie luxuriated in the ultra-modern shower. When the water was shut off, jets of warm air came on and there was no need for a towel.

He dressed in new clothes that Lanora had provided in the closet and carried his books down the stairs. He found her cooking in the kitchen. He came to her side at the stove and watched her flip pancakes. She put an arm around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Thanks for staying last night. Everyone else is already out running errands and getting ready for the party. This house is a bit spooky to be alone in."

Charlie put his arm around Lanora and did not feel any guilt about the fact that he was letting go of Stefi.

They sat at the table in the kitchen and ate strawberries and pancakes. Charlie commented, "You send your house guests out at seven in the morning to get ready for your party?"

Lanora chuckled, "Ya, I'm a real bitch. Actually, Andresklo will do anything for me. Ferace got called out of town and will not be here for the party. Dexamene is driving her to the airport."

Charlie felt some strange memories bubbling up and again wondered about the relationship between Dexamene and Lanora. Charlie wondered if he would ever again sleep in his dorm room. What was the point? It was so much nicer here with Lanora. She started telling him about a seminar that would be held at the univeristy's hospital that evening. The seminar was being given by a world-famous NMR researcher. "We should meet and catch the seminar after you are done with classes today."

Charlie agreed to meet Lanora for lunch at Perry's and then at the library after his last class. They talked about NMR through the rest of breakfast and all the way to campus.