In the Fall of 1983 I was beginning the first semester of my senior year. With most of my core classes long since completed I ticked off electives towards the 136 hours I needed to graduate the following May. While flipping through the course catalog, I noticed that Creative Writing 1 was not only 3 credit hours, but could also count towards my Humanities requirements.
Grinning at my good fortune, I signed up for the Tuesday and Thursday track at 2pm.
As I approached the building just before 2pm on the first day of class, I noticed a very striking blonde woman standing on The Quad and looking confused. Being ever the gentleman, I crossed over to her and offered my assistance.
"Afternoon, you look a bit lost."
She raised her head from the photo-copied map in her hand. Her long blonde curls spilling out from under a wide brimmed hat that only a Woody Allen fan could love. Her long nose and chin gave her the visage of a Greek Goddess. Her lips and eyes so blue they boarded on violet smiled at me. Her whole face lighting up with beams of Angelic light.
"I'm a bit turned around, would you happen to know the way to Morgan Hall?"
"Why of course. I'm going there now, may we walk together?"
My Goddess and I walked together slowly along the western edge of the famous Tuscaloosa Quadrangle, not saying much but looking back and forth at each other with shy smiles and eager eyes.
She was dressed for an Ohio late summer instead of one in Alabama, Her long sleeve brown tunic top hugged her slim contours while at the same time downplaying her lack of a bra. Her small perfect tits beginning to point in the breeze. Her blue jeans were painted on. I would probably have wagered real money that was was commando as well. High heeled thigh high black leather cavalier boots made her appear much taller. With the long scarf she wore I wondered if she was trying to imitate the female Time Lord that was popular on the PBS TV show Dr. Who at the time.
"I'm just starting here on my Master's, don't want to be late for my first class!"
"That's fine. I'm a senior myselves. I know may hidden paths across campus. If you ask nicely, perhaps I'll share them with you..."
"'Myselves'? Do you often refer to yourself in the... Gosh, what person thence would that be?"
Her laughter was sweeter than the chimes that begin to sound in the distance.
We reached the front steps of Morgan Hall. She quickly thanked me and hurried inside.
I stood there and watched her walk briskly up the steps and through the doors. Her hips moving in a graceful rhythm. I had been so captivated by her I hadn't even learned her name.
Mentally kicking myself, I also entered into the building.
Finding my classroom and strolling inside, I glanced around the room. 8 guys and 4 girls, all looking like freshmen, took up about half the seats. I moved through the group and sat at the front as was my want. Taking paper and a pen from my backpack, I awaited the teacher's arrival.
5-10 minutes went by and still no sign of the instructor.
Another 5 minutes lulled, and then I heard the sound of high heeled boots approaching down the hall. I did not bother turning around when I heard the classroom door pulled closed. Then I heard the instructor's voice...
The voice of my Goddess.
"Hello everyone. This is Creative Writing 1. Is everyone in the right room?"
I turned to watch her walk around the room. She had a large stack of syllabi and note books that obscured her view as she approached her desk in the front of the room.
"My name is Alex La Rue. Well, that's my pen name anyway. I want all of you to think of a pen name to use this semester. I think it's so much better to use a pen name like a real writer!"
Alex set down her piles of papers and still had not looked up. She pulled an attendance sheet of of the chaos and started calling off names. Each person would identify themselves and then tell her what their pen name would be. After all the other students had been called on, she finally called my name.
Smiling, I replied "That's what it says on my student I.D.".
Alex's head shot around. Her eyes locked onto mine. I did not let them go.
"I am known by many names. We are legion. You may call me Bazthesbour... Esquire!"
The rest of the class either giggled or made rude comments under their breath. Alex continued to stare into my eyes. She seemed to tremble slightly.
"Should we call you Alex or Miss La Rue? Perhaps you would prefer something else?"
