Nine months later I found myself doing another internship at Peabody. I had kept exercising and even did intramural sports. I was still a virgin.
I was in the same office, but given a different supervisor which bummed me out. Moira had moved up the ladder. She now had several offices under her. I sought her out still trying to figure out exactly how she saw me.
She was very friendly and because her new office offered privacy she greeted me with a very strong hug instead of a handshake. She pressed my head against her large breasts and said she had been counting the days since she saw my name on the list of interns. I congratulated her on the promotion and told her I had been thinking of her. I didn't know how she would take it, but I decided I needed to say it.
She said she had been thinking of me too. She then asked me, "Are you still innocent?"
Her question caught me off guard because I didn't know how she meant it.
I stuttered, "I think so."
She wasn't smiling and her tone was serious when she asked, "Pet, there's no middle ground. Either you are or you aren't. I won't be mad, but I need to know the truth."
I looked her in the eye and without hesitation because I knew exactly what she meant said, "Moira, I'm still innocent."
She looked relieved, "I'm so glad. It would be awkward and disappointing if you weren't. I have big plans for you, for us."
I started to say something, but she cut me off. She instead told me to write down her address and to come by. She also whispered to me, "Not a word to anyone else."
I assured her I would keep quiet. I knew company policy forbid employees from dating each other.
I showed up at her house that evening. It was a very nice house, the yard beautifully landscaped, the interior designed by a professional. I wore a suit because I figured that's what Peabody men did. I chose well because she was in a dress, wearing heels which made her even taller, and wearing a pearl necklace. Her dress was navy blue, conservative like our employer, her shoes black, the heels not too high, her hose black. Her makeup was minimal. Her earrings were also pearls.
She asked if I knew how to cook. I told her I didn't. She laughed and said I would learn because she really wasn't into cooking. She asked if I was hungry and I told her I was famished. She suggested we go out. She had a place in mind. She said she would drive.
I had been in her car one other time, but this car wasn't the same one. It was even nicer than the other one. I went to the front passenger seat. She stood at the driver's door. I got the hint. I came around, opened the door. She got in. I closed the door, then walked around to my side and got in.
She looked a bit disappointed in me, "You really haven't done much dating have you?"
I apologized and out of habit didn't answer with Moira, but with Ma'am.
Not wanting to blow it I answered, "No ma'am, I haven't. I'm sorry. I promise I'll do better."
She grabbed my hand, "Don't worry. I'm not upset. I know you weren't purposely being rude. This is all new for you. You just need some training."
On the way to the restaurant she held my hand, interlacing her fingers with mine.
"Pet, I have some ground rules. In public, no displays of affection. No one can think our relationship is anything but professional. You will call me Ma'am and I will call you Pat. I will introduce you as one of my interns. You will call me Ms. McGillicutty. Am I making myself clear? I have a lot to lose as do you."
I answered, "Yes ma'am. I don't know if I can do this, but I'm going to try."
She answered, "I'm confident you can, but thank you for being honest."
Dinner was great once we got past the maitre'd. The restaurant was beautiful, the staff attentive. She was obviously a regular. The maitre'd asked if I was her younger brother or a relative. She laughed and said, "No, one of my interns."
He joked, "I thought you might be one of those women robbing the cradle. He's very different from the men I normally see you with."
She replied, "I didn't know you were keeping track of my dates. What kind of man do I date?"
He stuttered, "My apologies. I wasn't trying to be rude or snoopy, just making conversation."
Moira answered, "Apology accepted, but you still haven't answered my question. What kind of man do I date?"
He answered looking me up and down as he answered her, "Tall, like you. More athletic looking. Not so pretty. Older. At least your date, I mean intern, knows how to dress."
I could have crawled under a rock. I had been called youthful, baby faced, boy wonder, even referred to by one professor as a child, but no one had ever referred to me as pretty. My face turned red.
Moira said, "Yes, he does. Thanks to me. He's a diamond in the rough. You should have seen him last summer, unkempt hair, cheap, ill fitted suit. He's a genius."
The maitre'd whistled, "I'm impressed. I've never met a genius before."
I smiled at Moira's description and what I perceived admiration of me.
Moira picked up on the same vibe as I. The maitre'd had sounded both skeptical and sarcastic. She decided he needed to be taught his place.
She ended the conversation, "Now you have. Our table, please."
He said, "Let me get one of the waiters."
Moira said, "I'm afraid that won't do. Our reservations were for seven, not seven o'five. You held us up so you can seat us."
He protested, "But, ma'am."
She said, "Do I need to talk to Mr. Hardaway? He and I are very, very good friends."
The maitre'd gave up, defeated. Mr. Hardaway was the restaurant's owner and the maitre'd knew just how close Mr. Hardaway and Ms. McGillicutty were.
