Part II: Sophomore
I want to tell you about this 20 year-old "boy" in my Biology class.
"I made up my mind -- there is no turning back she's been good to me, and she deserves better than that ..." the new century's rendition of New Kids on the Block sings about being faithful while I sit here beside you in your car. The cold rain is gently falling; and I shiver from the wetness on my skin. The silence has been but a moment but the line speaks volumes to my conscience. I did not tell you that I was married to keep you away; I told you so I would not be responsible for anything else I said or did to you. I purposely painted a picture of a wonderful home waiting for me to return. And I can tell that excites you ... you like the chase as much as I do, what a dangerous pair we are.
TORI'S Thoughts: I always feel like you want to hug me. Maybe that is my projection; I want you to. I was happy in my quiet little world, but you starting this touching my hand thing and it was/is so cute and electrifying all the same. The first time you reached for my hand, I hesitated because I was afraid. Chris told me that I cannot be trusted. I doubt myself even you -- some young guy who will walk out of his way to avoid an ex-girlfriend on campus; a guy who would tell me about his first kiss at 12 ... my fear is so silly. My marriage with Chris is more out of habit than commitment and there is only my weakness that keeps me there.
I think you would be fun for a while. If I could be myself, I would let you take me just for the fun of being your first older woman. I think you would work hard to please me. I hate the limbo of being in this gray place between acquaintances and lovers. That is not to imply that there is love involved. It's just that we are not really friends yet, however you have not earned the respect to be a man I would wrap my legs around. But... with the rain falling harder against the pavement...and we being so alone on the roof of the garage... and the fact that you just can't seem to put the car in reverse and you look like an abandon kitten with your dark hair still damp from the drizzle we ran through to get just this far ... "Help me," I say, as a work my jacket off my shoulders. You are quick to whisk of the offending piece of clothing. There, I have got you started, let's see what you do with the lead.
"Do you want to go to my place so we can finish studying?" Dean asks, looking over his shoulder as he pulls out from the parking space. "I guess we should get at least this section nailed down," that was as close to a yes as I would give "as long as I get 6 hours of sleep, I will be fine for my 9 o'clock class." "I think we could this down by midnight, what do you think." I smiled and wondered if he was planning to do anything with the remaining 2 hours before my deadline.
His shared condo was small construction site; he and his brother hung drywall the weekend past. Everything was in a neat arrangement, but we still had the maneuver to get to his bedroom. I immediately began to place obstacles around me: my books, papers and backpack, with my back to the runner of his bed. Dean went to the kitchen to grab "something other than water" as I requested and a beer for himself. I told him that I could not drive after a half of a beer even but he brought an empty glass " just in case" I wanted to try the dark beer he liked. He sat right beside me, as close as my pack would allow, with his beer on his right and the textbook on his lap. " I wanted to go over photosynthesis with you again," Dean said, "It seems like that is your weakest point. Then we can do enzymes." I tend to resist directions but he has not contested my need to be in control. In fact, he kind of says yes ma'am no matter what I say, so I agreed. I won't bore you with all of the interim stuff because we did get a lot of studying done that night. And I gave in a little around half past ten and drank some of his second beer.