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.