“Oh, everybody from the old days. You haven’t seen these guys in a while. It’ll be fun to get together and reminisce about our misspent youth,” he joked.
“Jake, you were a toddler when I was misspending my youth with those guys.”
That sent him into another fit of laughter. “Not exactly a toddler, but I consider myself very mature. I’ve been hanging with them and their younger brothers as long as I remember. It’ll be fun, seriously. Don’t you dare back out on me, man,” he scolded.
“I won’t. I’m actually looking forward to it. I haven’t seen most of those guys in years. It will be good to catch up and talk about something other than school or the accident. That subject is off the table,” I said in a firm tone.
“Not a chance, man. This is all about having fun, and nobody wants to get serious. You’ll be fine. Looks like I’ve gotta run, my secretary is buzzing me,” he said, before hanging up.
I put away the phone and sighed. This would be my first real foray into society since I had withdrawn all those years ago. I was excited to have a few beers, eat some good barbecue, and act like a normal human being. Sunday was a long way away. First, I needed to get through what I expected to be a shitty week. One day at a time.
I looked at the stack of papers on my desk, remembering the moment Tessa handed them to me and what it had felt like to touch her fingers. In all of the three years I had been married to Miriam, I had never experienced that spark. Never felt it right down to my toes. It was a new feeling. I liked it, but it made me feel horrible. I shouldn’t be feeling that way about another woman. Especially a woman much younger than I, and a student to boot. Just my luck I’d be drawn to what I couldn’t have.
Chapter Twelve
Tessa
I am so over it already, and it’s still the first month of school. What the hell was I thinking?
“Rise and shine, sunshine!” Maria sang from outside my door.
“Go away,” I mumbled. “I don’t want to be an adult today.”
I could hear her laugh as she headed down the short hallway into the kitchen. It wasn’t long before I heard the whirring of the Keurig. Within seconds, it started up again. She was making me a cup of coffee, thank God. I felt like I needed a direct line to even get out of bed.
The door swung open and in walked Maria, carrying two cups of steaming coffee.
“Here, drink up. This will give you the little burst of energy you need to get your ass out of bed,” she said, handing me the cup.
I scooted around and sat up in bed, taking the first hot sip. As she promised, I could feel the coffee flowing down my throat, triggering little neurons or whatever and zapping them awake.
“You going to make it?” she asked, in a serious tone.
I nodded. “Yes, but I’m going to bitch about it the whole time. I’m exhausted.”
She slowly nodded her head. “I shouldn’t say I told you so, but, well, I did. You heaped too much shit on your plate, girl. I don’t know what you were thinking.”
“That I didn’t want to spend five years in school doing something that should only take four. I don’t want to spend money on stupid classes. I am ready to be done with school and get busy actually getting to work and making some money,” I reminded her.
She shook her head. “I know, I feel you there. I’m sorry, really. I know this is brutal for you.”
I smiled. “I can’t believe how much homework I have. I wasn’t anticipating that. Between my class schedule, the homework, and then the assistant position, I feel like I’m being pulled in a hundred different directions. I have no time to do anything. Eat, sleep, school, and sometimes, the first two have to take a back seat,” I grumbled.
“Maybe you should tell your hot professor to lighten up,” she replied.
“I can’t do that!” I said in horror. “His credit is the most important.”
Maria shrugged. “I think he could do some of his own grading at least. You aren’t supposed to be his slave. He’s getting paid to teach and that means grading papers and all the other crap you do. Don’t let him take advantage of you.”
I had this sudden need to defend Ian. “It isn’t like that. I like the grading and stuff, but the guy gives a LOT of quizzes. More than any other professor I’ve had.”
“Are you leaving after class on Friday?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yep. My flight leaves at 3:30. It’s cutting it close, but I’ll make it.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re going home for the weekend. It will do you good.”
I wasn’t quite so sure, but I needed to go back. I had to check on my mom, and I really needed to visit Talia. I hadn’t been able to go to her grave on her birthday. I owed her some flowers.