Junkyard Blues

Chapter Forty-nine

211 C Chapter Forty-nine he next day, Jude found himself in the two-storey building again. He was the first person to walk into the building that morning who was not working with the organization or a member of the organization. He felt all nervous and all shaky in his feet but somehow he knew he had to do it, somehow he knew it was the only thing he could do and that it was the right thing to do. It was the only thing his mind was capable of thinking, that and the financial burden that he had to undertake, but he was ready, he told himself. He was ready to make the journey, to do whatever was necessary to have what he has always wanted. When you want something bad enough… Yes, but this was something different and the sacrifice was something he was sure he could make here if he was lucky. He was going to take that first step towards his future. No, actually he had taken that first step yesterday, he reasoned, when he had created a file with the organization. Yes, he had taken that first step without even knowing it, he had decided that yesterday standing there and giving all his information with James beside him and encouraging him, it was just that he had not wanted to believe it. He wanted to laugh out loud as he walked into James’ office his heart suddenly starting to beat faster than normal, his nervousness increasing at every new step. What are you doing? There’s no harm in trying. Are you sure? He wanted to nod, to say he was sure of what he was doing. He had made the decision (a formal one if something like that existed) sometime during the long sleepless night, though he did not know precisely when and what he had even decided to do. All he knew was that he was ready to do it, and that was enough. “People like you always make my day,” James said to him and grabbed his sweaty hand, shaking it with a lot of enthusiasm he went on, “You’re the reason that we started this organization, people like you, and you’re just proving to me that it was not a bad idea at all.” T 212 Jude wanted to say something, but he did not know what to say, so he just nodded and sat quiet. “You know what? I think you remind me of myself when I was your age,” James smiled at him and then said, “I take it you’ve made your decision.” Jude nodded again, “Yes, I think so.” “You read through the brochure and there’re no questions you want to be answered?” “Yes,” he said quietly. “Though I like your enthusiasm but I always want the student to think very well before making any decisions,” the man said, “But well, those who know what they want almost always have their decisions made before even coming here.” James looked at him and asked, “What program did you tell me you want to pursue again?” “Chemistry, industrial chemistry.” “That’s a great program and I think we’ll find many universities out there offering it. Have you any idea on the country you want to try?” Jude nodded, and then told the man the country he thought he wanted to go to and why. The man nodded as he talked with the understanding of a father and then said, “I understand and I’ll tell you there’s nothing wrong with your choice, in fact Belgian universities are as good as any in the world.” The man told him about a university in Brussels which he thought was a very good university and which he thought was going to just be perfect for Jude, “Their admission window’s still open and they offer very good programs.” Jude asked the man how long it was going to take for him to get an admission into the school and the man said, “About a week or two, maximum, two weeks and some days.” “How long do I have to look for all the money I need?” Jude asked. “A month, I think it’s always best to do these things as early as possible so that you can avoid all the little complications that might come if you delay.” I can do it, Jude thought. He was sure of it, he could get more than a...