God, how embarrassing. A grown woman, squirming in my seat. Jeez. Where do these idiot experts/sexperts come up with the rubbish that men and women are different sexually? It's only centuries of social encoding that makes some people believe that women are somehow passive and monogamous. Crap. Who wouldn't spend the day fuckin' if there weren't bills to pay? And who'd choose not to have variety in partners? Oh, sure. If a guy committed enough to work at it came along and the two of you made sure that things didn't get dull. But that's not going to happen in this lifetime. Not for me anyway. Too old. Too set in my ways. Too independent. Too, too wantin' that young man up there on the stage accepting his award.
How incredibly attractive he was. Did he know it? Maybe. Maybe not. He didn't sound cocksure of himself. He didn't sound unsure either. He had a brain or he wouldn't be receiving the J.B. Sotheby Award. Annually, the university held an awards ceremony where deserving students cleaned up in scholarship money. The Sotheby was reserved for the very deserving. Brian Cane was, I'd heard, very deserving. He was in the physics program and I'd not had him in any classes. Colleagues had said he'd win the plum prize. Yeah. I'd like to give him a prize. Stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum. Come here, boy. Sit. Roll over. Let me scratch your tummy.
I couldn't make my brain stop. I tried. Really, I did. Not too hard, but I did. These things were so boring after all of these years. I know. I shouldn't feel this way. It's not the students. They're wonderful. It's all of these pompous administrators, colleagues, and benefactors who drive me nuts. They think they're so important. They think they deserve credit for fostering education! Good lord. Wouldn't Thoreau cringe? He who desired to spend money on only two things: good roads and education. I'm with you, Henry! As if it doesn't help us all to foster the arts and education. Duh. Ah, well. Fifteen seconds of fame, I guess.
Neither train of thought was taking care of the itch in my panties. Brian had finished his acceptance speech and left the stage. Could I make it to the ladies and diddle myself before anyone missed me? Probably. Guess I'll go for it. I stood and excused myself to the man next to me. Fortunately, I was in the second seat from the aisle and created little disturbance as I left the auditorium. I escaped the semi-darkness through the massive double doors and entered the better lit foyer. I turned left to go the ladies' room. Ah. There is a god, and she is well pleased with me today. Or he. I don't care. I'm blessed. Before me walks young Sotheby Award winner, headed for the men's room. Karma. Kismet. Fate. Bullshit. I think my heady vibes just made their way up to him and he came out to receive his prize from me.
To hell with the diddle. I don't need to pee. I'll stake myself out here and wait for him to emerge. What's wrong with me? I can't pick up this kid right here in the foyer of the university auditorium. Can I? Well, a quick congrats. That wouldn't be out of order, now would it? A couple of minutes and Brian came out. I had placed myself close enough to the opening of the short hallway leading to the restrooms that I knew we had to make eye contact.
"Oh, hello," I said. "You're the young man who won the Sotheby. Brian Cane, right? Congratulations!" And I meant it.
"Uh. Thanks," he returned. "This is really all kinda embarrassing, but I'm very happy about the scholarship. But the spotlight is not my favorite place."
He was now only steps away from me. I had a decision to make. Do I nail him before he ships off to M.I.T. or god knows where, or do I let the itch go unscratched? Shit. Scratch.
"Do you have more spotlight time comin' up," I enquired.
"Nah. Thank god."
"Parents, friends, family, all here watchin' ya, huh?"
"Uh, no. Threre's only my sister and she couldn't make it."
"Oh, that's not right," I exclaimed. "An honor such as this deserves a huge celebration! Let me buy you a drink and a meal. By the way, I'm Dr. Stewart, English prof here at the university."
"Yeah. I've seen you around. But I can't let you take me out."
"Ah. I'm too old for you to be seen with, eh? Well, that's all right. I suppose we could celebrate at my place if you want."
Brian shuffled from foot to foot, looking sheepish.
"No. You don't understand. I don't mean that at all. I mean it wouldn't be right for a lady to do the taking out. I'm old fashioned that way, I guess. I'd love to have some company right now. I am kinda pumped, and no one to share it with. Do you have some place in mind?"
Oh, hell. Why did I mention going out. Why not just move straight to my bedroom via a quick stop in the kitchen for a beer and a sandwich. Oh, hell. Screw the sandwich, too. Food can wait.