They got together a couple of more times before Frank took his prelims, having sex and prepping him for the exams. Several times she helped him "relax" after a day's exam. There was more badly needed relaxing while awaiting the results. Fortunately, he did pass and, a week later, the oral exam was completed and he was unofficially ABD - all but dissertation. He and his advisor had discussed his proposed research topic, so the next step was doing the research and writing while holding a full-time teaching job in Maine. Of more importance, in some ways, he no longer would be near Sandy. This was no surprise, of course, but it suddenly became real when he was boxing up his books and packing his clothes.
I said earlier that there were two interesting events that occurred after the semester ended. The action on the front lawn was the first of these, and the second came about as a result of the inevitable gloominess that came from the ending, or, at least, a dramatic change in what has been a very intimate and pleasant affair. Sandy and I were talking one evening while Frank was finalizing his research topic and filling out forms, when she casually said, "I wish that our spring break had been now. It would have been nice to have been together like that just before he left. Oh, I don't really mean that because that week on the beach was perfect. Before, though, when he left for the summer or over the semester break, saying goodbye wasn't traumatic because it was temporary."
"There's no doubt that your life and his will change, but that was inevitable. Neither of you is taking any more classes, you won't be TA's and both of you have dissertations to write. On top of that, you both will have full-time teaching jobs. You won't have time to miss each other."
"Oh, I know all that and I'm really looking forward to getting my dissertation finished and starting my teaching career, but it would have been nice to have a time together like we had in March to...well, not end our relationship...maybe to celebrate all those changes you mentioned."
"Well, why don't you?"
"What do you mean? He leaves in a few days and, while we can be in the suite once or twice, that's not what I'm talking about."
"It's not what I'm talking about either. You're not working this summer except for your research and writing. Frank is in the same position. What's stopping you from going somewhere together for a weekend or two or three days? Motels don't care about your marital status and, anyway, your wedding ring would make you look married. Why not?"
"Oh, my god, Mack, I never even thought of anything like that! Do you think that we could do it?"
"I don't know why not as long as you don't go somewhere that you meet someone who knows you. The only person who would object is your husband, and I don't think that he would mind!"
"Oh, Mack, you're wonderful! It would be just what I would like - a couple of days together to...I said 'celebrate,' and I think that is an appropriate word, a marvelous affair. I've got to call Frank and see if we can work out something." She leaned over and kissed, me, saying, "You must be the most wonderful husband in the world. I love you so much!" The words were hardly out of her mouth before she started giggling, gasping out, "Isn't that amazing? Telling my husband that I love him for suggesting that I spend a couple of days with my lover! That French, not Spanish! And no, before you suggest it, there still will be no promiscuous coed!
Sandy called Frank, but just said that she wanted to talk with him without explaining why. They arranged to meet in the office which would be empty - all the other TA's with desks had turned in their keys when they left the university. I was working in the study when she came in with a big smile on her face. It turned out that Frank had actually thought about how wonderful it would be to go somewhere with Sandy, but never thought that it would be possible. Sandy said that she was surprised at just how thrilled he seemed to be, but, she admitted feeling pretty much the same way herself. Psychologically, getting in a car and going off alone together had a much greater impact than, even, spending a week with the group in Virginia.
So, the only questions to answer were when to and where to go. They both agreed that where was not really important as long as they were together. However, they quickly settled on the cape, aka Cape Cod. Frank, on a previous visit had stayed at very nice small motel on the water that was centrally located. He was going to find out about availability and they could figure out when. That settled and assured about privacy, sex was next - on her desk, probably for the last time.