This happened in the 1990s, when nursing mothers had become commonplace in the workforce, and when lactation in public had become less taboo.
Lana paid close attention as Professor McGrath drew a flow chart on a piece of paper and explained the mechanics of crime analysis. It was a private meeting in the teacher's office, just a few weeks before midterm exams.
The explanation was impressive. In those days, Professor McGrath was considered one of the esteemed female academics in the country when it came to criminal law, and Lana was thankful that she was able to get a one-on-one meeting like this.
"So there you have it," Professor McGrath said, leaning back. "Everything you need to know in a nutshell."
"It actually seems much clearer now," Lana said.
"Students learn differently. Some get by with reading. Others are fine with lectures. Others need solo attention."
They were sitting side-by-side, and Lana was amazed by the teacher's command of the law. Additionally, Lana had fully begun to notice how pretty the teacher could be. In class, she was a shark, preying on students who were unprepared to discuss the day's material. It was a honed skill as a former prosecutor. In private, the teacher was a normal, everyday woman, who was extremely pleasant to be around.
Lana nodded, focusing on the notes again. "I've been using supplemental books since the semester started and some of the concepts were difficult for me."
"It can be. Law is a different language than anything else. The good news, however, is that you'll get used to it."
"A welcomed relief," Lana smiled. "I think you're right. It's not as mind numbing as the first two weeks of school."
"I still remember what that's like. Believe it or not, I used to be a first year law student myself. There are humiliating moments, but you grow thicker skin."
"I'm sure you needed thick skin as a prosecutor too, right?"
The teacher gave a mock sigh. "Like you wouldn't believe. It's a career where you're dealing with unsavory people on a regular basis. It's a rewarding line of work, nonetheless. Why? Are you interested?"
"Honestly, I have a few ideas of what I want to do, but nothing set in stone. Your lectures are really eye opening though. I love hearing your war stories about courtroom battles. So who knows, it may be worth a shot."
"If you chose this area of law, I think you'd succeed."
"Really?" Lana asked with bright eyes.
"Yes, really. You're tough, well spoken, quick thinking, and your reasoning skills are solid. All the necessary ingredients for a successful litigator."
Lana batted her eyelashes. "You got all that from class?"
They both laughed.
"Listen, I know it's hard," the professor replied. "If you stumble in class, I don't think any less of you. I've yet to meet a first year law student who hasn't crumbled when pressed hard enough. No one is born knowing these things. We must learn them."
Lana gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you. That means a lot. And it makes me feel better hearing that from you."
"You're not alone. Plenty of bright, academic-minded students feel insecure after being pressured by the professor. It's normal."
"Good. Because I cried a few times after school. Not just from your class, but from others. It's tough. But I'm adapting."
Professor McGrath reached out and rubbed Lana by the shoulder, in gentle pats and strokes, then pulled her hand back after the point was made.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be," Lana replied, showing no fear. "That happened because I was so pissed off at myself. So I kept on working harder. More and more often I was getting the answers right, thanks to diligent preparation and thinking in advance. Obviously though, I still need to work a few things out, otherwise I wouldn't be sitting here with you.'
"I like your attitude. We need more women like you in this profession."
"That means graduating from law school first."
The professor nodded. "Exactly. Now, a few notes about legal writing for exams. First, we start with the main issue, which basically means what the problem is. For instance, if..."
Professor McGrath stopped in her tracks for some odd reason. Her hands clasped together and she sort of had a bewildered look in her eyes.
"Are you okay, professor?" Lana asked with concern.
"I'm fine. I'm fine. It's just... can you give me a second please?"
Naturally, Lana was caught off-guard by her professor's small medical dilemma, or whatever it was. But the teacher seemed to immediately take control of the situation by putting on a false sense of confidence.
"Oh, okay," Lana said with a hint of confusion. "Should I just come back next time?"
The professor composed herself. "Actually, let's finish this now. This will just be a minute. Before you know it, you'll be passing every class."
Professor McGrath adjusted the way she sat a few times, with small movements, and gave her blazer a few tugs on the bottom to straighten it out. What the teacher hadn't intended, however, was that adjusting her blazer gave a small peek into the front of her blouse. There were two wet spots which seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
The first thing that came to Lana's mind was that it must have been sweat. Surely? But who the hell sweats in that area first? In front of her breasts of all places? It couldn't have been. Besides, there were no signs of perspiration anywhere on the teacher's face, and they were still sitting close enough to notice each other's skin. So what was it?
"Ummm....Professor McGrath?"
"Yes?" the teacher asked in return.
Lana gestured forward, trying not to be rude. "Your chest. There are wet spots."
For a brief moment, a mortified look came over the teacher's face when she realized what had happened. It was the first time that Lana had ever seen the professor look so vulnerable. But that expression quickly left as the teacher once again returned to her confident posture.
"Sorry about that," the professor said, reaching for some tissue. "That rarely happens. But things happen."
"What is it, if you don't mind me asking? A medical condition with perspiration? I've read about it before."
"Milk."
Lana was taken aback. "Milk?"
"Breast milk. I gave birth a few months ago. Would you mind turning around, please?"
"Of course."
Lana turned her seat around so that she faced the wall. Then she heard the sound of the teacher unbuttoning her blouse and lifting her bra up, followed by sounds of flesh being wiped by tissue.
Strangely, inappropriate thoughts came to mind. She wondered what it must have looked like. Breasts covered with spots of milk. Swollen nipples. A stained bra. Lana had done her fair share of fantasizing when it came to other women, but never with something like this in mind.
Never in a million years would she have imagined that those unruly thoughts would tilt towards her own professor either; a woman who had put her in the proverbial hot seat a few times in class, nearly making her cry.
Lana could hear the wet tissues being tossed in a nearby trash basket. There was a sound of a bra being pulled down and adjusted, followed by the sound of clothes ruffling.
"You can turn around now," the professor said.
Lana turned back and saw that the teacher hadn't finished buttoning up her blouse yet. It was only halfway done, and Lana got a nice look at the center of the teacher's chest, along with a white bra in the middle. The sight vanished as all the buttons were done, sadly.
"So, what caused that to happen?" Lana asked, purely to make conversation to break the awkward tension, then she immediately regretted asking such a personal thing.
"I was knocked up about a year ago."
Lana smiled uncomfortably. "I figured that much. I meant, actually, nevermind what I meant."
"I'm only joking. I know what you meant."
"Sorry, don't answer that."
"It's fine," the professor smiled. "I have a million things to do everyday, between teaching and some of the work I still do at the DA's office. I also mentor several young attorneys. That means I have to nurse early in the morning, usually around 5 am."
Lana nodded. "That makes sense. It must feel like it builds up sometimes when it gets closer to the afternoon since you haven't released any in a long time."
"Correct. Do you have any experience lactating, or know anyone who does?"
"I used to be a babysitter. So I've worked with a lot of new mothers. It's just, I've never seen it actually leak before."
The professor gave a curt shrug. "Well, in an ideal world, I should be relieving my breasts more often. I've been blessed with active mammary glands, it seems."
"Sounds about right. That's a good thing."
"It is. Which is why I feel horrible when I have to relieve myself on campus, or in the DA's office if I'm there."
"Do you bring a bottle with you?" Lana asked.
"Yes. Or sometimes I have to go to the bathroom and spray it into the sink. Or privately in the stall. It's an awkward feeling being a new mother and doing that to my milk. But that's the price I pay for working so much."
"Oh, I could always help if you want. I don't mind."
The offer was earnest and completely sincere. Lana was that kind of girl; always willing to help, and always offering a helping hand.
Professor McGrath sensed that and her eyebrow rose. "That would be interesting, given that you have experience working with new mothers."
"Absolutely. I know you teach other classes throughout the week so I could just stop by and assist."
"I'll have to think about it," the professor replied. "If I accepted, it could be like a job for you. I'll pay a reasonable rate. Just swing by my office in the morning and I'll let you know how I'm feeling."
"In all seriousness, I really respect you and what you represent, as a hardworking woman in a male-dominated field. No way would I ever accept your money. If I assisted, it would be because it's my contribution to successful female lawyers, no matter how odd the assignment."
The teacher shook her head. "No. There must be consideration. Think like an attorney, Lana. Bargain for exchange. And given the sensitivity of the matter, there must be something that binds us to secrecy. Since after all, matters of my breasts are highly confidential, especially on campus."
