The Manley Paradox is the story of a romance between a young poor orphan and a rich girl whose father is not only arrogant and controlling but has something to hide. The boy, Chris, is a student in computer science but is so poor that he is actually homeless until one of his professors finds him sleeping in the woods. As an undergrad Chris becomes interested in the security of financial transfers. As part of his research he stumbles across the very rich Manly family that controls a financial transfer company. When Kyle Manly turns up at the same university, Chris is a first year grad student and she is in a freshman in a section that he teaches. He dislikes the Manly family based on what he knows about them but finds himself attracted to Kyle. Kyle for her part is infatuated with Chris and has no idea how to proceed. Kyle's father has given a grant to the university and Chris works on the grant. As part of his work he is asked to see if the company's security can be breached and whether he can take money without getting caught. This turns out to be a setup. Chris is eventually arrested and charged with theft. One must believe that in all young romance, love and truth should triumph.

The Manly Paradox

By Max Steiner

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Max Steiner
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-7301-2

Chapter One

Athené is a picturesque university perched on a hill overlooking one of the finger lakes in central New York. Founded in the late 1800's by an idealist, it was the first coeducational institution within the elite group to which it belongs. In the 1960's, Athené's administration made a successful effort to recruit more minorities, and to this day, its student body remains racially, economically, and even internationally diverse. Students come from all over the United States and from as many as 38 foreign countries. There are 12,000 undergraduates and a total of 6000 students seeking advanced degrees.

Athené is a large university with 13 distinct schools including a school of arts & sciences, an agriculture school, a school of architecture, a veterinary school, a medical school, a law school, a hotel school, and an engineering school in which the division of computer sciences is lodged.

Architecturally, the university campus retains the grand character to which it was originally built, ivy-covered stone buildings more than a century old - most of the rock quarried at Enehta - or Athené spelled backwards. Attempts at modernization and expansion have generally been accomplished without affecting its character although there have been several universally acknowledged mistakes.

Generations of students have loved the hill as it is often called. Rich and poor have attended here sometimes keeping to themselves in ethnically defined or perhaps socioeconomically defined groups but more often they have mixed creating lasting friendships and changing the shape of a society. The student union itself is named for an orphan who went on to marry the daughter of an extremely wealthy family.

It is certainly still possible for a poor young man to meet and marry the daughter of wealth and privilege. Such a union may not be met with instant approval by the young woman's family. Many adults who have a comfortable financial position in life begin to think that they are entitled to their special status. They may even begin to think that they are somehow different than other people. They believe they can protect their children by keeping them within the circled wagons. Money is security. There is safety in numbers if the numbers are dollars. There is prejudice.

Sometimes children rebel. It is not necessarily intentional. Young people often form friendships and bonds without considering the needs of their parents.

The fall in upstate New York can be stunning. Often forgotten, it shares New England's beauty in the changing seasons. Fall brings the students back to the hill. The majority of undergraduates are returning as sophomores, juniors, and seniors but, of course, 3000 are newly arriving freshmen and women. There is excitement in the air.

* * *

Kyle Manly, beginning her first year, arrived with her mom. The two shared a special warmth that was missing from either's relationship with Kyle's father. Mary Manly had been unsure about leaving her daughter to begin college. Although she had attended an elite private school, Kyle had insisted on being a day student and had never lived away from home before. Mary and Kyle were both quiet, thoughtful women who were comfortable by themselves and, for the most part, comfortable with each other.

Mary Manly knew that Kyle was self sufficient. Growing up in a large urban center, Kyle could travel the city alone and could acquit herself well at large obligatory social events. She knew that her daughter had no interest in alcohol or drugs and that she was a virgin. It worried her that Kyle was so reserved.

Mother and daughter did the usual things. They had deliberately arrived a few days early to explore the environs. They shopped, went out for dinner, and spent hours walking together. The countryside around Athené has several state parks with waterfalls and Kyle loved them instantly. She felt that she and her mom could be truly alone, surrounded by the roaring rush of falling water. And she worried about her mom. She didn't want to confront her mom but wanted desperately to know the answer to why her mom seemed to be keeping something from her.

"Don't you think this is beautiful?" Kyle said to her mom. "And it makes me feel that you and I are totally alone. Surrounded and alone. No one can find us here. The waterfall protects us." Mrs. Manly smiled. "I will be sad when you leave" Kyle continued. "I love you, mom."

Kyle then added cautiously. "You're the reason I never wanted to go away to school when I was in high school. Seems silly, huh? I didn't want to leave my mom. And sometimes I feel like there is some terrible secret that you need to tell me." There, she had finally said it. She turned and smiled at her mom, giving her time to answer.

Mary Manly looked at her daughter and thought to herself. "God! How I wish she would remain a child forever, but I am glad she is becoming my friend." Mary Manly steeled herself against showing the emotional content of her answer. "I love you, too, Kyle. More than anything." There, she had told part of the secret. "You must forgive me. You are right there is something I must tell you, something you must know. But I am not ready. I will tell you soon. Life is never as simple as it seems. We all make terrible mistakes. I will tell you as soon as I can. I am just not ready."

"I can tell you one thing, Kyle," she continued. "You are the most thoughtful and insightful daughter and friend I could have ever imagined. Still waters do run very deep" and then changing course, she continued "so unlike this waterfall that is full of spray and noise and rushing away without a thought as it moves by us."

Kyle didn't want to hurt her mom and suspected the secret had to do with her father. She sometimes wondered, they were so different. But more than anything, as Kyle realized she was becoming an adult, she wanted to be her mom's friend. She sensed that her mom really needed that. "Don't worry, mom. I'll always be your friend. I will be here when you need me."

Mary Manly looked at her daughter and thought her special. Perhaps as all mom's do. She saw in her daughter intelligence, thoughtfulness, and loyalty. But she also knew that someday soon she would have to tell truth about the one thing she had hidden from Kyle.

* * *

Chris sat in his jail cell and thought about Kyle. The kidnapping charge had surprised him. Perhaps he wasn't as clever as he had thought. On the other hand, the kidnapping charge might really work to his advantage. While he would be expected to ask for bail on the other charges, kidnapping might be used to prevent bail. He didn't want anyone to find out that he had no way of making bail. There also might be another hidden advantage for him. He might actually be safer in prison. Then again he might not be safe anywhere. He had a powerful enemy and he was the only one who knew why that enemy was so angry. He knew that Kyle was safe. She was surrounded by people who would protect her at all costs. He hoped that she had forgiven him for not telling her where she was going. She had gone without a fuss because of her trust in him.

* * *

The first day of orientation, Kyle was immediately happy she had chosen to have a roommate. Jennifer had a shy but engaging smile and Kyle liked her instantly. They seemed suited to each other in temperament and style. Neither was a show off. Kyle also knew she and her mom would have to bend the facts for her father. It was clear that her new roommate wasn't rich....