The Enigma Factor

He knew that he would reach Buzz’s almost before he would be totally awake, but that was what you did to friends. Jacob knocked and rang for close to 10 minutes until a drowsy Buzz opened the door.

            “Hey there, morning, Buzz. Brought you the code as requested. Sorry it took me a while, but I’ve been busy. In my defense, you did say you were in a hurry.”

            Rubbing his eyes, Buzz looked like he was still in a dream state. “What are you doing here, man? Or am I still dreaming?” Buzz croaked, still trying to fully focus.

            “Wow, you must have had a really long night. It is nearly seven, and you usually arrive at work at seven-thirty. Did you have a sleep over with umm and I interrupted…?” Jacob grinned.

            “Man, after you sent me the email three days ago that you were going to take the remote job with that fancy customer, I sure didn’t count on seeing you for months. Glad you got my request. What happened, did they get smart and send you home? Come on in. I think I have some coffee I can start, and you’re right, I need to get ready for work. Tell Buzz all,” Buzz said, as he moved toward the kitchen for coffee.

            Jacob entered, trying to digest his friend’s comments. “I didn’t send you any email. What're you talking about?” Jacob was confused but thought Buzz was just being Buzz.

            “Yeah, you sent me an email saying you were committed and that you would reach out with new contact information in a few weeks or so. So what's the job and obviously what happened?”

            “Look Buzz, I don’t have time to talk about this right now. I need to get to my dentist appointment. Something is really off though. I didn’t send you an email. How ‘bout we catch up later tonight? I have been away from work here and know that catch up will be hellacious today. Load this code onto your program, and it will erase any trace of me or you and fix the problem for the bank. And by the way, do not use my code in that way again, buddy. Later.”

            Jacob left feeling rushed to get to his appointment and concerned with Buzz’s comments. He wanted to look at his email on his phone, but not in front of Buzz. Jacob mounted up and headed toward the dentist. He figured that this way he would be a little early for his appointment and could check email from the dentist’s office. He was not inclined to forget what he did and did not send via email. He parked his bike and realized the office was not yet open.

            Leaning against the wall, he opened up his email and scrolled through all the outgoing mail. Nothing to Buzz for over a week. Obviously his buddy was flat wrong and totally confused. Buzz needed to stop drinking.

            A car pulled up, and what looked like a tech or receptionist got out. She looked at him oddly and with a bit of fear as she opened the door.

            “Hey, can I help you, sir?” she asked. “We are not actually open to patients today.”

            “Of course you are. My appointment is at eight with Dr. Kent for my overdue annual checkup. I made the appointment some time ago, and this was the earliest I could get at the time.” Jacob smiled, trying to put her at ease.

            She said, “Well, come on in, but I am positive that we have no appointments, and Dr. Mitchell has taken over for Dr. Kent. Dr. Kent had a great opportunity to do some teaching out of town which he accepted. Who are you again?”

            “Jacob, Jacob Michaels is my name, and Dr. Kent has been seeing me for years. I am sure it is a simple schedule error,” Jacob said with great certainty.

            “I do not recall seeing that name when I reviewed the pending patients for this month, but I’m sure we can get it sorted out,” she said without conviction as she booted up her computer.

            It seemed to take forever, and Jacob was getting a prickle on the back of his neck like a small nag getting bigger. “I am sure you' ll find your mistake, and we can set up a new appointment,” Jacob said, still extending her a smile.