My Graduate School Romance - Maria

My Graduate School Romance - Maria's Perspective

Maria's view of Sean's graduate school experience.

Keywords: Italian,

This is a sidebar to the primary story

My Graduate School Romance

. I know it has been a while since I've taken up that story, but it is not dead. I'm just trying to figure out where the characters are taking it. You do not need to read that story to enjoy this one. This story is set in the nineties and aughts (2000s). Remember things were slightly different then. Everyone is at least 18.

The characters in this story are flawed, just like you and me. Sometimes they make bad decisions as they struggle to live their lives. Sometimes they make life changing decisions. Again, all characters and situations are complete fiction, a product of my fertile imagination. Any similarity to actual people and situations is purely a coincidence. All constructive criticism is welcome.

*****

My name is Maria De Angelis. I am originally from Brindisi, Italia. Americans would say my city is on the boot of the Italian shoe. Please forgive my writing. English is not my native language and although I have studied it for many years, I still make mistakes. Normally I would take an essay to my English-speaking friends and have them edit it for me, but this essay is very personal.

I think I had a very normal childhood. My life did not become interesting until I went off to Firenze (Florence) for university. When I first arrived, I studied to be a teacher. I did not study this for me, but for my father and mother. They thought it would be a good way for a young woman to have a career. By the end of my first month I decided that I despised teaching young people and I began to seek out another field of study.

For the next semester I took several different introductory courses. One of those was Sociology. While I found the field very interesting, I was smitten by the professor. His name was Orlando Milano. Professor Milano was tall with a lovely shade of blondish-reddish hair. He had these piercing blue eyes that made my heart race. He had a bushy red mustache that I longed to have touch my upper lip. Was it a good decision to study a field because I was in love with a professor? No, but I had just turned 19 and my naïve heart was infatuated.

I took every course he taught and when he asked if I would like to accompany him to do field work in Yemen for my internship, I immediately said yes. This internship took place in the summer between my second and third years. In Italy we only go to university for three years of undergraduate study.

Professor Milano and I were to be in Yemen for eight weeks. At the end of the first week, he swept me off my feet and invited me to his bed. I accepted the invitation. Up until that moment I had never had sex. He was kind and loving and I willingly gave my virginity to him. He taught me many things about myself and about men. He was my professor for sociology, but also a professor for love, sex, and life.

I spent every night with him. I was welcome in his bed even on those nights when settimana rossa - the red week - arrived. He showed me how we could still have sex with my period. While he never promised me anything, I fell deeply in love with him and I was certain I would be his bride.

Little did I know that such an idea could never be. When we arrived at the Firenze airport after our field work, he was greeted by his family. His loving wife and children greeted him like a conquering hero. I realized then that when he conquered me, I was just a plaything to him.

During my third and final year at university, I avoided Professor Milano. My heart was broken and my dreams were crushed. Nevertheless, he had opened in my heart an entirely new understanding of the world. I took a course in Human Sexual Response and found that this was an area that was truly a passion for me.

I changed advisors and Professor Senatore, my new advisor, encouraged me to pursue this new field. She explained that I should probably go to America for my graduate work. Therefore, I began to search for a program that would advance my ambitions. I applied and was accepted into this doctoral program.

I arrived in America in mid-April. Initially, I had planned on travelling for a couple of weeks and exploring this amazing land, but I soon found that I was culturally overwhelmed. I proceeded directly to the university and they found me off-campus housing.

I had a good dose of culture shock and it took me a while to adjust to my new home. So many things were different, from clothes to food, to even simple things such as coffee. When I first came to this country, I had planned on taking two courses a semester, but I suddenly had my doubts and enrolled in only one summer course. I thought that if it didn't work out, I could easily return home and I would have made only a small investment of time and money. No matter what, I would have a life-changing experience.

It took a while to adjust to American informality and when I went out to eat, I learned that meal portions were huge. American eating habits are very different from those of my country. Where we would have a small breakfast and lunch followed by a nap, Americans ate large meals for everything. In Italy we have a large meal only in the evening. The American idea of coffee was very different than what I was used to and I found that it was better if I made my own at home each morning.

Shopping was another thing I had to get used to, but in a good way. I didn't have to go to the butcher and the bakery and the market. It was nice to find everything I needed in one store.

During the term that began in June I befriended a tall blonde woman named Lori. She was very friendly. We began to meet for lunch and she helped me adjust to American culture. She told me about a group of doctoral students that met informally on Tuesday evenings. They discussed various things that could be of interest and I was happy to join.

The summer term went well and I decided I would stay in the program. I signed up for two courses for the fall.

*****

It was in mid-October that I first met Sean. I had arrived at Pete's Pub a few minutes early.

Lori was already there. She took me aside, "Maria, I've invited a very nice guy to join us."

"What's he like?"

"A little older, but he doesn't look it. Here he is."

Sean was tall, almost two meters tall. He had red hair that was beginning to fade at the temples. He was clean shaven with a ruddy complexion. Sean was also in very good shape, but not with lots of muscles. He seemed very healthy.

Lori introduced Sean to all of us. She said he was a former American Navy pilot. It was very interesting watching the reaction of the group to him. Pablo tried to be very masculine. His fiancée Karen got very flirty. I suddenly felt badly for Pablo. I decided that here was a relationship that would not last. Karen was using Pablo. Of course, Tracy and Carole, being lesbians, weren't interested in Sean as a man. I think they did appreciate what he brought to our group intellectually. Lori was very clingy, sending out a subtle signal that Sean was hers. For some reason I didn't think Sean would have agreed with her.

I was surprised when Sean decided to address me first, "Maria, I've spent a lot of time in your country."

"Oh, where?"

"Sigonella, in Sicily. I was deployed there twice. About a year total."

"Ah. I am from Brindisi, as you Americans like to say - it is on the heel of the boot. How did you like my country?"

"Fantastico. I loved it. Great food. Wonderful people. Amazing wine. Did I mention the great food?"

My companions laughed and a waitress appeared, "Have you decided what you would like?"

Pablo spoke up, "We'd like a pitcher of Sam Adams."

Sean asked, "Do you have a menu? I haven't eaten yet."

"A pitcher of Sam and a menu. Anything else?"

Lori looked around then said, "No, we're good."

Carole explained how the group worked. "Sean, in general, we allow ourselves to bring any idea so long as it pertains to something in our doctoral work."

Sean asked, "I'm studying sociology. I don't want to assume the rest of you are studying that."

Carole continued, "Good point. Lori and Maria are sociology. Pablo is Spanish literature. Tracy and I are philosophy. Karen is psychology.

"Glad I asked."

The waitress brought a menu.

Sean said, "Here, I can make this quick. How about a cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato and an extra-large order of fries for the table."

"I'll put that in right away."

The conversation quickly centered on whether we thought morality was a universal truth or relative to a society.

Pablo made a case that it was universal, "Take murder. Everywhere you look murder is bad."

Sean countered, "But what if that murder is in a war and you are killing your enemy? We accept that."

I suddenly liked this man. He was thoughtful and seemed to be humane.

Pablo responded, "But that isn't murder."

Tracy laughed, "Are you fucking kidding me? Someone kills another human being and that isn't murder?"

Pablo looked hurt, "Because it's war."

"It doesn't matter if it's war. Killing is killing is killing. It's all bad. It's all murder."

I joked, "The Smiths had an album

Meat is Murder

. In order to get meat, you must kill."

Sean laughed, "Thanks for reminding me as my hamburger arrives."

Everyone laughed as the waitress placed the plate in front of him.

Sean waved to us, "Dig in. The fries are for everyone."

As I ate some fries, I watched the interaction between Sean and Lori. He shared some of his hamburger with her and she sat as close to him as humanly possible. She was definitely trying to stake out Sean as hers, but I didn't think he wasn't going for it.

The conversation jumped around a bit, but it was quite intellectually stimulating. As we talked, Sean's eyes would occasionally lock in on mine. They were almost a haunting blue. It felt like he could see into my soul. Part of me wanted to show him everything there.

The evening flew by. Tracy looked at her watch, "Oh shit. It's after eleven. I gotta work in the morning."

As the group broke up, I walked out with Tracy and Carole. Sean and Lori walked out together and they had a little tête-à-tête in the parking lot.

*****

Over the course of the next few days, my mind kept returning to Sean. His coloring reminded me of Professor Milano, but he was so much nicer. Sean seemed to actually care about what I said. Then, there were his eyes. I could have been mistaken, but I felt that something had passed between us. I don't want to say I became obsessed with him, but for example, on campus I was constantly looking for him. I wanted to spend more time with him. Hopefully, he would want to spend time with me.

When our doctoral group met the following Tuesday, I decided that I would test the waters as Americans would say. I arrived at Pete's Pub about fifteen minutes early, hoping to catch Sean before Lori did. My plan worked and Sean appeared before Lori. I immediately went over and greeted him as we do back home, with kisses to both cheeks.

We sat down and I decided to be bold, "Sean, if you don't mind me asking, are you seeing Lori?"

Those blue eyes locked in on mine and I felt the juices flow in my private area, "We went on two dates, but I wouldn't say we're dating. She's a good friend."

"That's good to hear. Since we're in the same program, I thought it might be nice if we got to know one another, you know, as friends."

"Sounds great. What did you have in mind?"

Take your chance Maria

, "Maybe you can come over to my place for dinner. I'm a good cook."

"I bet you are. I'm busy this week with writing papers. How about a week from Friday?"

"That works for me. I will send you my address and phone number."

I was very surprised at what happened next. Karen brazenly came over to Sean and started flirting with him, "Sean, I just wanted to tell you I love what you bring to this group."

Sean looked a little taken aback, "Thanks, Karen."

I looked over at Pablo and I felt badly for him. I think at that moment he realized that his engagement to Karen was over.

I decided I would sit next to Sean and see what would happen. A brunette about my size came over to the table and then Lori appeared.

Both Lori and the new woman seemed to be annoyed that they couldn't sit next to Sean. I decided that many women had their sights on this tall redhead.

Tracy tapped the side of her glass, "Well, it looks like we have everyone, plus one. Sean, would you like to introduce your friend?"

He said, "This is my friend Astrid. She's working toward a doctorate in writing." He looked at Astrid, "Did I get that right?"

She said, "Close enough. I'm at a disadvantage. I don't know all of you."

We went around and introduced ourselves. Tracy went over the group rules. We ordered a pitcher of beer, chips, and fries. I was still getting used to the American terms 'chips' and 'fries'. I had learned the British versions which were crisps and chips respectively.

Astrid said, "Perhaps you have discussed this recently. If you have, then we can skip it. But have you talked about courage?"

Tracy said, "No. That's a great topic. Astrid, why does that interest you?"

"Well, mostly because of Sean." Astrid told us how she had been at a tavern the previous Thursday for her birthday. At the end of the evening, she was physically assaulted by some men that were her acquaintances. Sean stepped in and defended her. In the process, he was struck in the head with a beer mug that required several sutures in his scalp.

Throughout this conversation, it appeared that Karen was doing something to Sean under the table. He seemed to be somewhat annoyed.

Sean raised his hand and was recognized, "I've been in many situations that have required courage. I don't think that what happened on Thursday qualifies."

Astrid looked irritated, "Why not?'

"In order for someone to be courageous, fear must be present. Courage is overcoming your own fears. In that situation I wasn't afraid. I was just doing the morally correct thing by trying to get those goons off you."

Lori said, "So let's say you have some soldiers on the battlefield. They are only brave if they are afraid?"

Sean nodded, "Yes. I guarantee you that you wouldn't want to be in a battle with someone who wasn't at least a little afraid. One key to overcoming fear is training. If you have been exposed to a frightening situation many times, real or simulated, then you will know how to overcome fear."

Pablo said, "So, maybe you had the training to overcome it."

Sean responded, "No, I didn't think I was going to get in a fight. When the fight started, I just reacted."

Tracy was nodding, "That's very interesting. So what if you knew you were going into a fight four against one?"

Sean said, "Then I would have been fearful and I'd have enlisted some help to even the odds. I'd have gone and got Rich the bouncer."

Astrid asked, "Would you be a little afraid then?"

Sean nodded, "Probably a little, but confidence and training would help my courage and overcome the fear."

The rest of the conversation that evening was rich. After courage we discussed the pros and cons of taxing the rich to reduce poverty. Then we went on to our various career goals.

When we took a break to use the loo, Sean and Karen seemed to be in a pretty serious conversation. They both left to use the toilet.

When Sean returned, he asked me to sit where he had been sitting, "I need some distance between Karen and me."

I knew then that Karen had been making some advances toward Sean and he was not the least bit interested. This was a man of integrity and I felt my heart warm to him even more.

When Karen returned from the loo and saw the new seating arrangement, she seemed to be quite frustrated. She gave me the evil eye even though I didn't deserve it.

When we broke up that evening, I walked out with Lori, Astrid, and Sean.

Lori said, "This is probably going to sounds really funny, but would any of you like to do something with me this weekend?"

Astrid said, "I think that would be nice. I'd like to get to know you. If you want, you can come with me on Thursday to see Sean's band."

Sean is in a band? Hmm.

Lori smiled, "I'd love that."

Astrid said, "Let me have your phone." She sent herself a text on Lori's phone. "We'll figure out a time. How about Saturday? Sean, want to go on a hike again? Maria?

I said, "I would love to join you."

Sean said, "Sounds like a great idea."

Lori said, "You might have to wait for me. I not in very good shape."

Sean said, "I'm right there with you. I'm in."

Astrid said, "Great! We can pack a lunch. Maria, let me have your phone too." Another text. "I'll let everyone know the details."

Sean laughed, "Astrid, you're like our social secretary."

"That's me!" Astrid looked around then addressed Sean, "What was going on between you and Karen?"

"She was feeling me up. That's why I had Maria move over into my seat."

Lori said, "Poor Pablo."

Sean said, "I'm thinking lucky Pablo. Better to find that out before they were married."

Astrid said, "Good point."

*****

I had never been on an American hike, so I asked Lori what I should wear. She said that she would be wearing yoga pants and a sports bra, maybe a t-shirt. She would bring a light jacket or a sweatshirt in case it was chilly.

Saturday morning I resolved that I would try to be as sexy as possible. I remembered seeing women running on campus in yoga pants and a sports bra. I thought Lori's suggestion would be perfect. As I began to put on my yoga pants, I realized that they were opaque. I pealed off my panties and put on the pants. Looking at myself in the mirror, my suspicions were confirmed. My derrière could be seen through the material. I looked at the front of me and my farfallina could be seen as well. I especially liked that if you looked closely, my pubic hair could be detected. I pulled up on the pants and there was my slit.

When I stepped out the door, the temperature was much cooler than expected. I donned a heavy sweatshirt and hoped the yoga pants would be enough to keep my sex and legs warm.

When I arrived at Astrid's apartment, she greeted me wearing a similar outfit - yoga pants and sports bra.

I pealed off my sweatshirt, "Astrid, I think we will be able to give Sean a little thrill."

She laughed, "I hope so. Is it just me, or do you find him sexy too?"

I smiled, "He is a very sexy man. I'm sure many women would like to be with him."

Astrid laughed, "Oh yes! I for one would love to be his wife. He would be quite the catch."

"Is he looking to get married?"

Astrid shook her head, "No. He has been married before and I don't think he is interested in doing it again. But a girl can dream."

So there was at least four of us interested in Sean: Astrid, Lori, Karen, and me.

I thought I would try to learn more, "So what do you know about him?"

"He would probably hate that I'm telling you this, but he is an amazing lover."

I was surprised, "So, you have been with him?"

"Just once. I had never had an orgasm before, but he gave me one. My pussy is getting wet just thinking about it."

Here was a new term, "Pussy?"

"My lady parts. My vagina. Haven't you heard that? Guys have some interesting terms for our lady parts. I sort of like that one."

"What are other terms?"

"Some are nasty. I don't like cunt and twat and gash. In high school, the guys would call it a beaver. I thought that was okay."

Just then the doorbell rang. Astrid let Lori and Sean in.

I decided I could kiss them in the European fashion. So first I kissed Lori, then Sean on the cheeks. Lori went to the bathroom to get changed.