by Sara Marks
“What are we going to do for dinner?” Charlie asked after taking a swig of beer.
“We have work to do before we make decisions bout dinner, but talk to Wil about what we should order. You two are in charge,” Caroline said.
Lizbeth watched as Charlie walked into the den, sat down in an armchair, and changed the channel on the TV to local news. He didn’t take it off mute, but picked up a book that was on the coffee table and opened it.
“I found some books in the library that we should go through. I think if we each pick one, we can easily figure out what to cover on our tour,” Jane said after a few sips of her wine.
“I want to make sure we include Centre Pompidou,” Caroline said and grabbed the book about it.
“I’ll take Picasso. I believe there is a museum for him close to Pompidou,” Lizbeth said, taking a book Jane had found about Picasso in Paris.
“I’m going to research art galleries in Marais. There is a Picasso museum there,” Jane said and opened her laptop.
The three spent a few hours going through books and websites on their own, only stopping for the Chinese food Charlie ordered. By 10pm they were exhausted and stopped for the night.
***
The next few nights played out the same way; Lizbeth and Jane would come over, the three women would collaborate on their project, and then all five would have dinner together. Lizbeth and Jane would bring money for their share of dinner, but Charlie would never let them pay. Instead of getting frustrated, Jane and Lizbeth brought them drinks and homemade cookies as a thank you on the last night they spent there.
Their research complete, that night the women started building their tour and discussing how to arrange it. Jane had identified some yummy cafes and restaurants in the area.
“I need to move” Lizbeth said after sitting for hours.
“Yoga!” Caroline said. “Wil, you’ve been sitting for hours. Do you want to join us?”
Wil was sitting on the sofa, facing the kitchen again. His casual wardrobe from the first night was gone and replaced by a more formal pair of navy slacks and a light blue shirt. Wil had spent the last three evenings in the room, sitting in the same spot on the sofa. This was not the first time Caroline had tried to involve him in some way. She kept asking him about Marais, insisting that he had been there so many times he probably knew these places well. He answered, but curtly.
“I will not join you, Caroline. You know I do not do yoga. Either you want me to make an ass of myself or you simply want to show off your form. If it is the latter, this is the far better view.”
Caroline laughed at his comment, but Lizbeth was shocked that he would acknowledge he was watching. She often found Wil looking at her with a glower on his face. She wished, if he was uncomfortable with her being there, that he would go to his room, but he insisted on working from the den. He was there when she and Jane arrived and never moved.
“Don’t laugh at Wil, Caroline, you may hurt his pride and vanity,” Lizbeth said as Caroline moved into warrior’s pose and stretched.
“Vanity and pride?” Wil said. “I cannot claim I’m vain. I think vanity is a weakness. Pride, on the other hand, that is fine as long as you have the mind to keep it in check.”
“Lizbeth, it sounds like you’ve made a deep analysis of Wil over these past few days,” Caroline said.
“Hardly. I understood him very soon after we met. Clearly he has no faults. He is as close to perfection as you can get,” Lizbeth replied.
Wil looked up and met her gaze.
“I am sure I have plenty of faults, Lizbeth. I would like to think I’m very honest about them. I admit, I have a bit of a temper. I know I’m very unyielding in my opinion of others. I do not easily forget or forgive slights and insults directed at me. I think it would be easy to say that my good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.”
“That seems like it would push everyone away and that you would dislike most people.”
“It would seem, then, that your fault is to misunderstand people you barely know.”
Lizbeth glared at him for a moment.
“I’m going to put on some music,” Caroline said with a smirk on her face.
Lizbeth sat back down at the island and fumed for the rest of the night.
October
The sisters of Phi Alpha Pi were settled into their daily routines. The sorority house was busy with sisters in the main living areas. The study room åwas constantly in use, the dining room often occupied, and there was typically a group watching something on television. Day times were often filled with soap operas, evenings with popular primetime shows, and weekends with movies and Netflix series. One of the sisters had taken the time to print a schedule of what days and times were assigned to specific viewings.
This was also the time of year when living arrangements got stressful. Roommates often fought. Some sisters moved out and others moved in. New pledges were in the house all the time as they learned about the sorority. Jane was constantly on the watch for hazing.
“You haven’t been spending a lot of time with Charlie,” Lizbeth observed as she and Jane sat in the living room with their laptops open and books scattered around.
“We’ve both been so busy,” Jane said as she looked around the room. “We grab coffee and then, you know, have to get to something else. It’s the pledges that take most of my time.”
Lizbeth watched as Jane turned around in her chair. Lydia was sitting behind them with her new little sister, a girl named Kitty.
“You can ask for help. I can make sure they aren’t hazed. You can go spend time at Charlie’s house.”
“That’s very sweet, but you know it’s my responsibility.”
Lizbeth debated pushing her friend, but nobody was as vigilant about hazing as Jane was.
“Wil joined us for coffee the other day,” Jane said.
“Oh? I rarely see him in class,” Lizbeth said. “You know, I think I saw him last weekend at the party. He was saying some nonsense about how a pretty pair of eyes could make any woman beautiful and he needs a freaking haircut.”
Lizbeth didn’t tell Jane how, later that night, she had stood in front of the bathroom mirror wondering about her own blue eyes. Lizbeth looked like her mother with dark brown wavy hair. She didn’t wear much makeup, favoring a natural look. Her eyes were a point of pride and she liked to draw attention to them. Her mother said her father’s sapphire blue eyes were the first thing she had ever noticed about him. She was in denial that she had been thinking about Wil and his eyes, which were as green as new leaves in spring.
“OMG, Lizbeth, just fuck him already!” Lydia called from behind them.
“What?” Lizbeth asked.
“Wil is all you talk about. Wil this and Wil that! It’s clear you want to fuck him, so just do it.”
Lizbeth bristled at the idea.
“I don’t want to fuck him. I don’t like him,” Lizbeth said.
She looked at Jane who sat there with a look of curiosity.
“Okay, whatever,” Lydia said.
***
In the middle of October, Lizbeth found something to distract her from thoughts of Wil. She had to think about what she wanted to do after graduation. Her parents had few expectations for her, as long as she was happy with her choices. Dr. Bennett, more than anyone else, put on the pressure about graduate school.
“Duke has been in touch with me,” Dr. Bennett said one afternoon as they sat in his office reviewing some details about her thesis.
“Duke? Why?”
“I have a colleague out there and I have been telling her about your research. They are considering developing some type of gender studies master’s program. You would be a perfect fit.”
“I’m not sure I want to focus on gender studies. I feel like that limits me to academia.”
“There’s nothi
ng wrong with academia.”
“No, you’re right. But getting a job in something like gender studies is difficult. Plus, I’m not sure I want to get a PhD.”
“Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure they won’t get this program off the ground. They have been talking about it for 20 years. Will you just meet with their admissions rep anyway? He is coming all the way out here to meet with you and tell you about the program. Maybe there will be another program there for you.”
***
This was how Lizbeth met Jorge. He was one of those guys who was more than aware that he was attractive. His hazel eyes sparkled with a playfulness that was probably useful for working in admissions. His dark tan and milk-chocolate brown curls set off those hazel eyes beautifully. Lizbeth felt really comfortable talking with him over dinner, feigning interest in the graduate school so they could keep talking. She hadn’t felt this attracted to someone in months.
“You don’t look that interested in the program,” Jorge said with a laugh.
They had been chatting for 90 minutes, but not about the programs at Duke. Instead, they had commiserated about being a Yankee in the South. Jorge had grown up in New York City and visited Boston many times.
“I’m sorry. I told Dr. Bennett I’d talk to you, but Duke just isn’t on my radar.”
“I understand. I go where I am bidden. I took one look at your information and knew we didn’t have what you wanted.”
“Really?” Lizbeth said.
“Yeah, you’re a Yankee girl who needs an Ivy League program. I’m shocked you’re down here.”
“There were other factors that brought me here,” Lizbeth said.
She could feel herself blushing, but wasn’t sure why.
“I’m glad I came.”
“Really, why?”
“You are far more interesting in person than most of the students I meet.”
Lizbeth didn’t know what to say so she did what Jane usually suggested and smiled.
“Okay, I’m declaring this interview over. I want to make sure you know it’s over because I want you to have dinner with me tonight, and I don’t want you to feel obligated because of my job.”
“Really?” Lizbeth said as she cocked an eyebrow. “That’s refreshing.”
They both laughed at this.
That dinner was the first of three they had before Jorge had to leave town. Lizbeth felt comfortable spending the night at his hotel before he went back to North Carolina.
“I’ll be back in a few days,” Jorge said as he packed the next morning.
Lizbeth was still in his bed and the TV was on.
“Do you want to meet some of the people who brought me to Georgia?” she asked.
“We can do dinner after the open house next week.”
“I’d like that,” Lizbeth said with a smile.
He leaned over and kissed her on the lips as if to seal the deal.
***
He was back a few days later for the graduate-school open house run by the university. Mrs. C, upon discovering that Lizbeth was seeing someone, insisted on inviting him over for dinner after the open house. Before Lizbeth left for the event with Charlotte and Jane, Mrs. C asked her to walk home with Colin, who was also coming over for dinner. Lizbeth wondered if Mrs. C was now trying to secure her son a position at Duke.
The open house was very well attended. Charlie and Wil were talking to some Ivy League reps.
“They’re both considering MBAs,” Jane explained and Lizbeth wasn’t surprised.
“What are you two considering?” Lizbeth asked her two best friends.
“I don’t know if I really want to go to graduate school,” Charlotte said with a sigh.
Charlotte often had multiple plans in the works. She had a difficult time committing to one, because she was constantly planning and watching, trying to pick the best option for herself. Lizbeth understood why. Charlotte had grown up in Flint, Michigan. Her family had nothing. Charlotte had earned everything she got. She was in school on a full scholarship. She had to keep her grades up, which required constant work. Charlotte also had the disadvantage of being an art major. Charlotte was an amazing artist, but couldn’t identify a career she wanted with the degree. She didn’t want to go into computer graphic design, which would be the practical choice. She didn’t want to teach, which would mean job security, but she wanted a life like the one Lizbeth had grown up in.
“What you really need is a rich patron to pay you to make art for her,” Lizbeth said with a smile.
It was a joke Charlotte had often made herself and she giggled in response.
“I’m still thinking education,” Jane said.
Jane was a talented graphic designer, but refused to make it her major or consider it a career. It frustrated Lizbeth that, instead of jumping into a career doing what she loved, Jane was going to be an art teacher. She knew Jane was worried that she didn’t have the right personality for the aggressive tech industry. That didn’t stop Lizbeth from pushing Jane’s buttons when it felt right. Today was not the day to do that.
“Do you want to meet Jorge?” Lizbeth asked.
“YES!” Both Charlotte and Jane said at the same time.
Lizbeth stopped at a table for Columbia and Harvard on the way to the Duke table. She was growing tired of the southern lifestyle and wanted to get back to the northeast. Columbia had a Human Rights program that piqued her interest. Harvard had a Social Policy program that wasn’t exactly what she wanted, but would bring her home. Charlotte stopped at almost every table grabbing information about nothing specific. Jane picked up very little and didn’t seem worried about finding a program for education. By the time they got to the Duke table it was almost the end of the event and they found Jorge alone.
“Hi,” he said when he saw Lizbeth. “Can I have a few moments to tell you about our lord and savior, basketball?”
“I’m a sports-atheist,” Lizbeth said with a smile. “But my friends Jane and Charlotte have yet to be saved.”
“It’s wonderful to finally meet the infamous Jane and Charlotte. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Lizbeth,” Jorge said with a smile.
“There has been a change in plans. Our housemother, Mrs. C, has invited you to join us for dinner at the house. Do you mind? Feel free to say no.”
“Dinner at a sorority house happens to be on my bucket list!”
“We can go out for drinks after. I promise to make it up to you.”
“No, I’ll have to reward you for helping me check off another item on my bucket list.”
The four of them talked about the other universities they had seen at the event. Charlotte continued her general review of the universities present and Jane kept looking around, Lizbeth assumed, for Charlie. Jorge started packing up his booth. He was looking away when Jane spotted Charlie and waved him over. Wil came with him and kept staring at Lizbeth.
“Lizbeth,” Wil said.
“Hello. Are the two of you considering Duke?”
That was when Jorge turned around.
“Ah, no, actually I’m not,” Charlie said.
“This is Jorge, the admissions rep from Duke. He has been on camp-”
“I know who he is,” Wil said. “Jorge.”
“William.”
Wil turned and walked away without another word. Charlie smiled at Jane, but followed his friend.
“What was that?” Lizbeth asked when the two men were gone.
“It’s a very long story,” Jorge said.
***
“Fair ladies,” Lizbeth heard a voice from behind them say as they left the student union with Jorge.
“Sorry,” Lizbeth whispered while they waited for Colin Collins to catch up with them. “He’s Mrs. C’s son and she asked us to bring him back to the house with us for dinner.”
“Here I t
hought I was the guest of honor,” Jorge said with a sigh.
Lizbeth was relieved that the odd interaction with Wil was now forgotten.
“Oh, you are,” Lizbeth said. “Keep that in mind with Mrs. C.”
Lizbeth turned around to see a very disheveled Colin Collins running to catch up with them. At the start of the semester he had seemed much more put together than he did now.
“Colin, this is Jorge, from Duke. He is joining us for dinner tonight.”
“My mother is very excited about meeting you. My father was a Duke alumnus and raised us on basketball. Did you go to Duke as well? I would imagine being an alumnus would make it very easy to sell the virtues of such a wonderful university. My father felt I’d be a natural fit at Duke, especially in their law program. My mentor married a Duke alumnus and always speaks favorably of the University. I decided against law, but Duke has a special place in my heart.”
Lizbeth allowed Colin to continue his monologue the whole walk back to the Phi Alpha Pi house. She and Jorge fell behind the group.
“I don’t want to pry, but I’m so very curious about what happened between you and Wil back there,” Lizbeth said.
“Do you know him?”
“Unfortunately. His roommate Charlie and Jane are dating. Caroline, Charlie’s sister, is a member of the sorority.”
“Will she be at dinner tonight?”
“No, she doesn’t live in the house. Why?”
“It’s a long story.”
“I have time.”
“After dinner. I don’t want to be overheard and it’s private.”
Dinner was, as usual, dominated by Colin and Mrs. C. This time they were talking about how amazing Duke was. Mrs. C kept insisting that Colin should attend their law school, after he has his MBA. Lydia and Mrs. C seemed to be thick as thieves as well. Lydia kept complimenting the meal and agreeing with their house mother about random things. Lizbeth had noticed that Mrs. C got along better with Lydia than any other sorority officer. It was another thing she made a mental note to monitor.