With three female thirty-somethings working in the office, the new intern heard a variety of opinions on college life, dating and men in general. She worked part-time between classes at the local state university. Full of personality and charming from head to toe, she is bubbly beyond description and a delight. The young mothers in the office, all attractive and enjoyable in their own right took every opportunity to chat and share. Having recently pledged a sorority and as a freshman living on campus, her social scene knew no ends and she was constantly responding to overtures made by young, horny, and attracted suitors.
And so it began. Every Monday upon her arrival, the young co-workers would hear about the previous weekend from the younger intern. From blind dates to sorority parties, she would relate her experiences to those probably reliving their youth and college lives with each story. With my office door opening to her desk, I could occasionally enjoy the conversation as well, hearing the youthful giggles and the innocently probing questions about each male companion.
Amelia was from a nearby town and could very easily and economically have commuted to her daily classes, but being a bright and outgoing girl and mature for her age, she was allowed to take up residence in a dormitory and experience the independence of living away from her home which was a mere twelve miles away.
At first, Amelia was able to maintain the small-town values and morals that had accompanied her to her first year of college life. She had been the homecoming queen, a cheerleader, an honors student active in her church and just prior to her matriculation had been voted queen of a local festival celebrated over Labor Day in her hometown. She had always been the All-American girl.
Amelia's social life continued to consume her hours away from work and the classroom so she had lots to discuss with her co-workers. Early in the week she informed us of an upcoming hayride and a date she seemed to being looking forward to more than any other she'd had. She had spent some time with the young man at a previous party and later discovered from classmates that he was considered a real catch. Amelia and her friends thought she was lucky to have attracted the interest of this one. She spoke effusively of him with her co-workers and social life mentors at work who were more than happy to render advice and tips on hayride dates and inherent vulnerability and exposure to male advances. Overhearing these conversations, I began to listen more intently and observe Amelia when she was within sight.
As the hayride weekend approached and the occasional conversation occurred outside my office, I began to notice a loss of Amelia's smile as each conversation ended as if she was not getting the advice or suggestions that she needed for this next social encounter.
Finally, Friday arrived and due to vacations and work schedules I found myself in the office alone with this lovely nineteen year old college freshman. All work done for the day and nothing left on the schedule, I suggested to Amelia that we call it a week, lock up and start our weekend a few hours early. She smiled meekly in agreement and started to gather her things as I locked the front doors of the office and prepared to head to my car in the rear parking lot and to the cold beer that awaited me at a local bar.
Amelia stood to leave but before leaving her desk asked, "Do you have to be somewhere soon? I was hoping to ask you a question."
Noticing nervousness in her voice, I felt a need to answer her question. The beer could wait.
I invited her into my office and rolled two conference table chairs out so we could sit more closely and without my imposing desk between us. I wanted her to be comfortable talking to me, not the "boss," although I still knew nothing of the subject matter of her planned inquiry. She sat on the edge of her chair as I leaned back in mine.
"What would you like to talk about, Amelia?"
"I really like working here, Mr. Miller, and..."
"Derek, please. Call me Derek."
"I really like working here, Mr... uh, Derek, and I'm afraid that what I'm about to ask may jeopardize my job. I've been struggling all day about whether I should ask you, but with the weekend about to start, I just decided I would go for it."
"Amelia, I hope you know you can talk to me about anything just like you chat with the girls here in the office," I said as I admired her youthful beauty and stylish college-age garb. This was the first opportunity I had to talk one on one with her and to absorb more than just her welcoming smile.
"I love talking to the girls and they have been so helpful to me as I get used to college, but I also hear how they talk about others, including their friends, and I know they can be very judgmental. I know I cannot ask any of them what I have finally the confidence to ask you. I also listen to how you talk about people and I think you are much more open-minded and forgiving than they are."
"Well, thank you, Amelia. I've made similar observations about them, and I'm glad you feel comfortable talking to me. So, what's on your mind?"
"'Comfortable' may be a strong word, but here it goes. Have you heard me talk about this hayride coming up? You keep saying 'Do you have a hot date', and actually I do. The problem is, I am so inexperienced that I am afraid I'll do something wrong and this will end up being my first and last date. I just don't want to blow it!"
Amelia's face grew a deep red, and she chuckled, "Well, actually I do, but I don't know how."
Taking a moment to fully comprehend what she had said, I started slowly, "Amelia, are you asking me for sex advice?"
"No, well, yes. I'm sorry. Maybe we should just go home and forget I even asked."
"Actually, you haven't asked anything as yet. Let's continue this conversation." I demanded as I sensed some excitement in my being.
