“I quit, Fitz, and that’s final.”
Mike was watching her as she spoke, and he found his emotions getting all tangled up around his insides. Her red hair and her blue eyes were shining, and her face was set in determination. She had always been beautiful, but at that moment she was magnificent.
Hell, thought Mike, I’m prejudiced—but what a wonderful kind of prejudice.
“I understand, my dear,” said Dr. Fitzhugh slowly. He smiled then, deepening the wrinkles in his face. His voice was warm and kindly when he spoke. “I accept your resignation, but remember, if you want to come back, you can. And if you get a position elsewhere, you will have my highest recommendations.”
Leda just stood there for a moment, tears forming in her eyes. Then she ran around the table and threw her arms around the elderly and somewhat surprised roboticist.
“Thank you, Fitz,” she said. “For everything.” Then she kissed him on his seamed cheek.
“I beg your pardon,” said a sad and solemn voice from the door. “Am I interrupting something?”
It was Treadmore.
“You are,” said Fitzhugh with a grin, “but we will let it pass.”
“What has happened to Snookums?” Treadmore asked.