Chapter 58 Tri Polar

Polar has a lot of definitions the one this chapter refers to: "resembling a pole or axis around which all else revolves." In my extended character of Leonard Hoftstader his life is very tri-polar. His life revolves around three very distinct poles. The first pole is his wife and children. This is his primary pole there will never be anything more important. This is where he exercises his emotions and his well-being. The second pole is his friends and professional life which are intertwined. It's in this place he exercises his intellect and his abilities. The third pole is more intricate and convoluted, his extended family. Does Leonard care for his Mother, Father and siblings? He does but with fear and loathing and it's for this reason that Beverly Hoftstader is here. This isn't just a visit this is research, the final chapter of a body of work that started when Leonard was born. She needs to finish it before life finishes with her. The following is her journal of this visit and research. Oh and an independent observers recording of the events, TISH, and finally the actual event as recorded by this writer.

Tuesday October 9th 2025

Research Journal Entry 20251009

The subject Leonard has picked me up at the Burbank airport after a very long and tedious trip via Denver from New Jersey. He appears pensive and quite anxiety ridden. He has shown little other emotions on our trip to his home where I will be staying. The conversation has revolved around idle chit chat regarding my health and in general how "I'm feeling". He has of yet to show any signs of the superior intellect I know he contains.

We have arrived at his home in a gated community near Burbank California. What is quite clear is that the family is affluent with an expensive residence. After being met at the door by two rather large hounds it is quite apparent that the family seeks companionship through pets and other external affection sources.

The subject's wife Penny is there with the newest member of the family. A 3 week old newborn child that appears will have her father's dark brown eyes and her mother's blond hair. Of course at this stage of development the eye color is yet to be determined. The subject's wife appears to be a healthy female in her late 30's. The researcher knows from prior contact with the subjects spouse that she is of average intelligence and came from a background of limited means. She apparently is has become quite successful in the dramatic arts. The baby is quite alluring to the researcher.

Lisel is the subjects 5 year old daughter from a prior spouse now deceased. She is quite intelligent and affectionate to the researcher.

The subject Leonard continues to seek approval of his mother for the actual mediocre accomplishments of procreating the family rightly belonging to his wife. The subject is quite financially successful but has been shown through repeated experimentation to be emotionally immature.

Since he was a child this researcher has endeavored to persuade this clearly gifted child to excel beyond his emotional needs. It appears this approach has not achieved the desired results. The subject has abandoned his work in experimental physics for the mundane administrative duties he now has as a department chair. It has come to the researcher's attention through one of his colleagues that the subject may soon wish to become a professor emeritus and give up most if not all of his scholarly pursuits.

Tish's transcribed recording marked Beverly Hoftstader part 1

Penny: Hi Beverly here's your newest granddaughter, Matisse Liisa Hoftstader.

BH: She's adorable Penny, look at those beautiful eyes, and she's going to have your hair.

Penny: How was your flight out?

BH: It was fine dear just rather boring I edited my newest book on adolescent males and their tendency to homosexual coupling before heterosexual experimentation.

Penny: Oh that sounds I'm sorry gross.

Leonard: It's been my mother's contention for some time that all male children have homosexual tendencies at the adolescent and pre-adolescent stages before moving on to heterosexual relationships. They like other boys before they like girls.

BH: You've been reading my blog.

Leonard: No but Sheldon is a great source of information on what you're working on.

Lisel: Grandmama Beverly.

BH: There's my little grandchild. I heard you were learning French how is that coming?

Lisel: Grand-mère Très bien, (Very well Grandmother)

Leonard: She said very well Grandmother. Writing it is coming a little slower but almost parfait. (perfect)

Lisel: Grandmama come meet my cat Schrodinger and see my room.

Beverly: It's lovely Lisel will I be able to sleep with you while I'm here? The bed looks big enough.

Lisel: Oh I would like that Grandmama, here he is.

The Actual Events

Leonard watched his mother come into the baggage claim area. He tried to smile warmly toward her receiving a slight grin in return. "Hi Beverly just point your bags out and the skycap here will load them up. How was the flight?"

"Really Leonard all flights are the same anymore no need to really ask. I see you are the only one meeting me I was hoping you had brought Lisel."

Leonard gritted his teeth, "She's in school until 3:00 but she'll be at home by the time we get there."

Beverly pointed her bags out to the skycap that loaded them on the cart and followed Leonard out to the parking area and placed them in the trunk.

Beverly got in the back seat of the Mercedes and Leonard drove out of the airport exit and headed home.

Leonard looked up at his mother in the rear view mirror, "So how have you been doing Beverly?"

Beverly looked slightly peeved, "I suppose the answer you're looking for is fine. If you're really asking how my health is then I have a certain amount of neuropathy in my feet and I'm thinking of having my hip replaced. "

Leonard was still grinding his teeth, "Is it causing you much discomfort?

"Why would I considering replacing it if wasn't causing me pain."

Leonard looked up at her face which showed no emotion staring back at him in the rear view mirror.

Leonard drove the rest of the way home in silence.

Once in the garage Leonard open the house door for his mother and had the dogs sit and stay. Then returned to the car and opened the car door for her She got out and started for the door, "Thank you Leonard."

Leonard retrieved her two bags from the trunk and followed. The scene in the kitchen made him feel somewhat better. Penny was smiling happily as his mother held Matisse. The look on his mother's face was relaxed and peaceful rather than her normal emotionless expression. She looked happy he thought.

Beverly looked up at Penny. "She's adorable Penny, look at those beautiful eyes, and she's going to have your hair."

Penny was smiling at her, "How was your flight out?"

Beverly never took her eyes off the baby, "It was fine dear just rather boring I edited my newest book on adolescent males and their tendency to homosexual coupling before heterosexual experimentation."

Penny gave her yuck look, "Oh that sounds I'm sorry gross."

Leonard looked over at his wife. "It's been my mother's contention for some time that all male children have homosexual tendencies at the adolescent and pre-adolescent stages before moving on to heterosexual relationships."

Penny looked a little confused so Leonard clarified it, "They like other boys before they like girls."

Beverly looked him at smugly, "You've been reading my blog."

Leonard shook his head and grimaced, "No but Sheldon is a great source of information on what you're working on."

Beverly looked back down at the baby when Leonard realized he had not seen his mother happy until Lisel came into the room and ran up to Beverly.

Beverly still holding the baby crouched down and received Lisel's hug, "Grandmama Beverly"

Leonard actually saw his mother's face light up. "There's my little grandchild. I heard you were learning French how is that coming?"

Lisel stepped back and very seriously said, "Grand-mère Très bien,"

Beverly looked over at Leonard. "She said very well Grandmother. Writing it is coming a little slower but almost parfait.

Lisel took her grandmother's free hand. "Grandmama come meet my cat Schrodinger and see my room."

Beverly gently handed the baby back to Penny and let herself be led by Lisel toward her room.

Penny came up to Leonard and ran her hand up and down his back. "How're you holding up so far sweetie?"

Leonard shook his head and relaxed his jaw. "It looks like you're right so far totally taken with her grandchildren. But I think we need to keep the drunken Disneyland adventure as an option."

Leonard leaned over and kissed the baby's head. He looked up into Penny's shining green eyes and smiling face then gently touched his lips softly to hers. She responded by placing her free hand on his cheek and increasing the forcefulness of the kiss.

We'll see Leonard thought why do I feel like a lab rat.

I know it's a short chapter but it has its place in the scheme of things.

Reviews are always appreciated the next day of this visit may be a little more intense.