It had been such a tight and eventful semester that, now that the days were free from classes and appointments, not having a schedule felt awkward. Back home, whenever summer and winter vacations started, it'd take me a while to readjust to not having much to do. In New York, however, the feeling was always of not having enough time to enjoy what it had to offer. It was overwhelming. Everyday.
In a couple of weeks it would be a year since Lumi and I had arrived. For many things, we already felt like New Yorkers, which I know that real New Yorkers would strongly disagree, but for others, we still felt like tourists. For an example, the other day, Lumi and I were riding the subway downtown and a couple of French tourists asked us for information on how to get to Central Park. We were able to not only offer information, but to also give tips like, for instance, to visit the Strawberry Fields, the area dedicated to John Lennon, which is located between 71st and 74th street. There were two options while going by subway that were the best in my opinion. Drop off at 72nd and walk through Upper West streets, to get a feel of beautiful buildings and stores, or to drop off at the Museum of Natural History, maybe go through it and then walk in the park a few blocks down. In the same day, though, I was walking around NYU and a girl stopped me to ask how to get to South Houston, not knowing that, well, that was what SoHo stood for. Living and learning. I made a point to study in Google later all the real names of the neighborhoods of New York.
In a couple of weeks it would be a year since Lumi and I had arrived. For many things, we already felt like New Yorkers, which I know that real New Yorkers would strongly disagree, but for others, we still felt like tourists. For an example, the other day, Lumi and I were riding the subway downtown and a couple of French tourists asked us for information on how to get to Central Park. We were able to not only offer information, but to also give tips like, for instance, to visit the Strawberry Fields, the area dedicated to John Lennon, which is located between 71st and 74th street. There were two options while going by subway that were the best in my opinion. Drop off at 72nd and walk through Upper West streets, to get a feel of beautiful buildings and stores, or to drop off at the Museum of Natural History, maybe go through it and then walk in the park a few blocks down. In the same day, though, I was walking around NYU and a girl stopped me to ask how to get to South Houston, not knowing that, well, that was what SoHo stood for. Living and learning. I made a point to study in Google later all the real names of the neighborhoods of New York.
My day schedule for my first free Monday was to go to NYU Law Library in Washington Square return a few books and walk around. Since my first day I had been wanting to explore and hadn't managed to yet. And, I admit, I wanted to run into Eli, you know, by chance. Since I'd been to his apartment he hadn't sent any messages or called. It had been four days. I was not about to become one of those neurotic people that stood guard by their phones, sweating hours and end expecting a call. No way. I was going to get casually beautiful, casually at the right place, at the right time and let things roll. I know that it wasn't too far from watching the phone but I was feeling restless and really wanted to see him.
On the subject of guys, Lumi had complained about me talking endlessly of Eli and now was mentioning Victor everytime she opened her mouth. Each time I'd point it out, she would deny it and mention him again. But, unlike Eli, Victor had called. Three times. I wasn't jealous. Not much, anyway. It was so fun to see them speaking that I followed Lumi around the house when he called.
"Lumi, phone for you!" it had been the first time he called. She came, took the phone and went from vaguely desinterested, to angry, to annoyed and then to laughing. It was quite a combo, a guy that could make her mad and laugh at the same time. When she hung up, she was cursing him again. She dropped on the couch and put her legs up. "He wants me to go his gig tomorrow night. In Greenwich Village at 1 a.m. Crazy, crazy man."
"Why?"
"Because if he thinks that I'll leave my sweet warm bed and drag my tired bones across town on a Saturday night, he's mistaken. It's saturday night, of course I already have plans. Not even Kit's going. We're going to this new bar that opened on Madison and then we're coming here to make a margarita party. You're invited."
"Hmm, yes to margaritas. No to bar. I can't spend more money until I get a job."
"Ah, don't remind me of that. I get shivers when I think about auditioning for some stupid play or low budget show. I wanted to teach, but my degree isn't good enough yet. So, I'd probably be good for sales or I don't know, waitressing. More shivers..."
"We'll only consider working on stores if we have to, when we have to."
"Agreed."
"We'll only consider working on stores if we have to, when we have to."
"Agreed."
And then, on Saturday afternoon, he called again. "Hello, may I speak to Lumi?"
"Who's this?"
"Victor Allen. Anne?"
"Oh, hi! Yeah, how are you?"
"All right, you?"
"Pretty great." I answered. "Lumi, it's for you!" She mouthed who's it and I mouthed Victor back.
"Who's this?"
"Victor Allen. Anne?"
"Oh, hi! Yeah, how are you?"
"All right, you?"
"Pretty great." I answered. "Lumi, it's for you!" She mouthed who's it and I mouthed Victor back.
"Ah, tell him I'm not home." she said from the kitchen.
"She's..."
"I heard her. Tell her to stop being a coward and come say it so herself."
"He heard you and said you're a coward. I happen to agree." Lumi cursed in the kitchen.
"Anne? I don't know if you remember me, we met at Smalls two months ago, I think."
"Ah yes... I've been trying to give a face to the name and wasn't remembering where I'd met you. Not that I'd forgotten, I enjoyed your show very much."
"I have another gig tonight, you should come."
"I'll try to come by."
"Where's Lumi?"
"I'll try to come by."
"Where's Lumi?"
"She's making faces in the kitchen."
"Annie! Shit. Give me that phone." she came stomping her feet.
"There's people living downstairs..." and she ignored me.
"There's people living downstairs..." and she ignored me.
"Bye!" I shouted since Lumi had taken the receiver from my hand.
"I like your sister."
"Right now, I hate her. How may I help you?"
"Oh now... don't shower me with such sweet and loving words, I might drop to my knees."
"Ha-ha. I don't think I can make it tonight, sorry. I have plans. With your sister."
"So, you're telling me that not even my blood kin is going to come to my show?"
"Ah..."
"You tell my darling sister that if she doesn't find a way to send you over to Smalls, she won't be forgiven for not coming."
"Why do you want me to come that much?" Lumi asked doing what she rarely did, which was lower her guards. It seemed Victor had observed that as well and took a while to consider. "Hello?"
"Because."
"Because?"
"Just because. I'll see you later."
"But.."
"Bye!"
"But.."
"Bye!"
Lumi looked at me with a puzzled expression and dropped in the couch next to me. She was staring at the wall when suddenly she gave me a tiny smile. "He's into me."
"He most certainly is. Isn't it funny? That you met Victor the same day I got things going with Eli?"
"It is. He still hasn't called?"
"Nope."
"He will. Or he's waiting for you to call. Damn it, I'm going to his gig tonight. I won't sleep if I don't. And you're coming with me. Invite Eli. We'll... sort of double date."
"We haven't gone to a solo date yet, and I'm inviting him to a double?"
"It's not really a date for me either, so, if things don't go as I think they will, you'll have a night out with Eli at least. It's win-win for you. Call him." she said decisively, got up and went into her bedroom. "I just have to figure out what the hell I'll be wearing..."
"Don't forget to call Kit."
So, we had gotten all dressed up and were climbing down the stairs when my cellphone rang. It was my friend Delilah. "Hey, Lilah."
"Anne, Mel's water broke! We're all meeting at the Hospital's maternity floor in thirty minutes. She's already on her way there with Jolfson."
"Oh my. Lumi, Mel's in labor." Lumi had a shocked look and seemed to be fighting an internal war. She and Mel weren't really friends, but they got along fine.
"Anne? Are you there?"
"Yeah, I'll meet you there. Bye." I hadn't talked to Eli. Instead of calling I had sent a casual text telling about the Jazz concert on Smalls pub and he hadn't answered. So, between going to the pub and sitting by myself while Lumi got together with the hot musician and going to the hospital, I chose the second one. "Lumi, I'm going to the Hospital. It's okay. You go to the pub and I'll call you later. If you need a ride home, come with Kit. Okay?"
"I'll figure it out. Tell her I said congratulations."
"I will. Bye!" and I rushed down the last steps and hailed the first cab that was passing by. Lumi had stopped and was torn between getting a cab by herself to ride across town into a pub that she had never been and going back upstairs and starting the margarita party she had bought items for. She let Kit decide.
"Hey, Kit? Are you going to your brother's gig tonight?"
"I was just thinking about it. It's kind of close to my home. But I was really looking forward to that bar on Madison and the margarita party."
"Yeah, me too. But I told him I was coming. Actually, I didn't. But I didn't say no either."
"He's been asking me a lot of questions about you these last few days."
"He has? Like what?"
"Yep. If you're seeing someone and stories about you. I really think you should go. Wasn't Anne coming with the sexy teacher?"
"Mel's in labor. Since she also has no family here in the States, all of the friends are going there to give a hand."
"That's really nice. All right. So I guess you really want me to go with you."
"I do."
"I've been to two of gigs this week. But... Oh, bloody hell, fine. I'll come with you. Pick me up in 20 minutes. Call Meg and Maddy."
"Will do. Bye!"
***
"I hate when people say they'll come down in ten minutes and take thirty."
"It was thirty minutes late five minutes ago." Lumi complained from Kit's left while looking out the cab's window. They had stopped by Maddy's to pick her up after Kit and now were at Meg's. She had texted she'd come down in ten minutes and thirty five had passed. It was nearly too late for Victor's turn. "I'll kill Meg." Lumi said for the fourth time.
"We'll make her pay the cab bill, the pub bill, the ride back home bill and then we'll murder her."
"Better." Lumi said seconds before Meg opened the door.
"Sorry, guys! I..."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just get in."
"Sorry, my cats..."
"Don't. I hate cats. We hate cats."
"I don't hate cats." Kit and Maddy said together.
"Smalls pub!" Lumi shouted over the new discussion.
"I don't hate cats." Kit and Maddy said together.
"Smalls pub!" Lumi shouted over the new discussion.
"Okey dokey, ma'am."the cab driver answered.
***
Victor knew there was a big chance Lumi wasn't coming. For some reason she appeared to be very wary when it came to him. He had thought about her a lot the last two days and after drilling Kit, had decided that he was definitely taking her out on a date. All she had to do was come to his show and he'd impress her, maybe even dedicate a song to her. Was that too lame? He was shooting for romantic.
Anyway, since he came to America, he hadn't really gotten involved with anybody. There was always so much to do, classes to take, rehearsals and practice, the model job he had taken for extra money. When he finally settled for the night, there was no energy left to deal with women. Not that there hadn't been offers. There was a waitress that had been hitting on him since his first time on the pub but he had never given much attention. He flirted back half-heartedly and was grateful when she had his favorite drink ready for him after his show. Maybe it was the time for it. He had finished his performance with the classic Fly Me To The Moon and was now having his brandy in the stools. He wasn't feeling like going home just yet. His stomach had been complaining for the last minutes and he was sick of french soaked in oil fries. Lindsay was her name, right? No, Linda. He wished Lumi had come. He wanted to take her out and have a big hot dog or something, walk around maybe. He gazed around the pub again and, resigned, headed to the backstage to get his sax when Linda passed in front of him with a cat smile.
Anyway, since he came to America, he hadn't really gotten involved with anybody. There was always so much to do, classes to take, rehearsals and practice, the model job he had taken for extra money. When he finally settled for the night, there was no energy left to deal with women. Not that there hadn't been offers. There was a waitress that had been hitting on him since his first time on the pub but he had never given much attention. He flirted back half-heartedly and was grateful when she had his favorite drink ready for him after his show. Maybe it was the time for it. He had finished his performance with the classic Fly Me To The Moon and was now having his brandy in the stools. He wasn't feeling like going home just yet. His stomach had been complaining for the last minutes and he was sick of french soaked in oil fries. Lindsay was her name, right? No, Linda. He wished Lumi had come. He wanted to take her out and have a big hot dog or something, walk around maybe. He gazed around the pub again and, resigned, headed to the backstage to get his sax when Linda passed in front of him with a cat smile.
"Going home already?"
"I think so."
"Hmm, if you stayed just a little longer we could... maybe get a coffee or something."
"At 2 a.m.?"
"I could eat. Maybe. Haven't since 6."
"I..." he thought about saying no but decided to give it a chance and shrugged. "Sure. I'm hungry too."
"All right!" she gave him a thousand watt smile and forgot that her feet were killing her. "My shift ends in twenty minutes. I'll meet you at the bar."
"Okay."
He had just sat back at the bar when he saw Kit enter with Lumi and some other friends. Lumi was still looking everywhere, trying to find him, he realized. She had a long sleeved red blouse that clung to her body, showing her curves and black slacks. There was something shining in her ears and neck and her hair was loose, curling everywhere. What was he going to do? Linda had been so excited, he couldn't simply go tell her he had changed his mind. Could he?
Kit was smiling and rising her brows, shooting glances at Lumi, that meant she was signaling something, but he wasn't catching more than, well, brow movements.
Kit was smiling and rising her brows, shooting glances at Lumi, that meant she was signaling something, but he wasn't catching more than, well, brow movements.
"Hi, you've already performed?" she asked giving him a quick kiss at his cheek.
"About fifteen minutes ago. Hello, ladies."
"Hi." Lumi said. He looked even better than she remembered. Or maybe, it was the fact that he was even hotter wearing all black and that he had rolled up his sleeves, and was showing a tattoo on his left forearm. She couldn't really see what was it but that had already made her sexy bell ring. "We're sorry we're so late. Someone had to take care of cats."
"Cats?" he asked turning to Meg that had nodded. She seemed to have been thinking the same as Lumi and was giving her a smile and looking at him from under her lashes.
"Yes, I have three. Gideon was a little sick and Celine was fighting with Memphis again."
"Ah... I'm sorry, I think. I'm not much of a cat person. My stepmother had a siamese back in London. I couldn't stand it." Meg seemed offended. She turned her back to him and gave her full attention to Maddy that was making orders to the bartender. Lumi, however, was even more attracted to Victor. "I hate them. Cats, I mean."
"I don't hate them. But I don't love them, either. You look beautiful." he smiled when she only looked at him. "Do you have anything against me?"
"Against you? No. Of course not. When you're not stalking me, you're almost nice to talk to." she said with a smile. He was smiling back, when he spotted Linda coming his way. He looked from one to the other and was desperately trying to find a way out when Linda smiled to Lumi.
"I don't hate them. But I don't love them, either. You look beautiful." he smiled when she only looked at him. "Do you have anything against me?"
"Against you? No. Of course not. When you're not stalking me, you're almost nice to talk to." she said with a smile. He was smiling back, when he spotted Linda coming his way. He looked from one to the other and was desperately trying to find a way out when Linda smiled to Lumi.
Linda that had been counting the minutes, had already gone to her locker and changed her clothes. She had freshened her make up and was walking toward Victor when she saw him looking at the Asian girl. Not tonight, she thought, tonight he's finally mine. When he turned his attention to her, she saw Lumi glance back and gave a bright smile before passing her arm through his.
"Shall we? I'm starving. Hi, I'm Linda."
"Ah... Lumi, this is Linda, she works here." he said sweating, he turned to Lumi that was eyeing him intently. "My sister has just arrived and brought friends along to watch my performance." He had to think fast. Obviously, what he had just said seemed to have surprised Lumi. In a bad way. Very bad way. Why did these things always happen to him? He was not a player, a man that tried to score as many women as possible. He had just opened himself to a nice female company for a late snack and had ended up with the girl he wanted to take out staring at him with furious eyes as the girl he didn't want to take anywhere was glued to his arm as if she knew. He wanted desperately to tell Linda they'd take a raincheck but she was talking so much about where they should go and how she was so hungry, that he didn't have the heart to tell her no. He waved goodbye to Kit and Meg, hoped, a nice innocent smile to Lumi, and left.
"Ha, this is not happening. I did not left my home to come all the way down here, in the middle of the fucking night to watch him take some girl home. This is not happening."
"Sorry, I don't know what's gotten into him."
"Yes, he seems very interested in one thing. And it seems that he's not very worried about where he gets it. I'm leaving. And the margarita party is fucking on."
"Wohoo!" Meg that was looking from one to another, had already downed three tequila shots and thought that the perspective of margaritas was even better than being mad at Kit's Cat hater brother.
"What happened?" Maddy turned holding her beer.
"What happened?" Maddy turned holding her beer.
***
Mel had given birth to a girl at 3:30 a.m. and was currently arguing with her husband over the names they were giving her. It was their first child and each had a name that they thought was the absolutely perfect for their new beautiful daughter.
"It should be Clara. Like my mother. She died three years ago and was her dream to have a granddaughter."
"Your mother hated me. Why should I give her name to my daughter? It is my dream to have a daughter and I want her name to be Emma."
"Mel, we'll be going back home in two years. In Brazil, Emma will be a terrible name."
"Fine. If not Emma, then Stella."
"Stella's an old woman name."
"Old woman? And you think Clara's a young woman name?!"
"Clara's simple and beautiful."
"Maybe we should go home and leave them more confortable, huh?" I asked from the couch. It was against the hospital rules to have visitors at such a time, but since Mel's husband was a doctor there, he had cleared them into their private room. He had made it clear that there shouldn't be any noise or they would be kicked out, and there they were, arguing.
"We definitely should. Mel? We'll come back tomorrow during visiting hours, okay?" Delilah said in a low voice. Ella, Eve and I nodded.
"No, you should be here for the name choosing. What do you think? Clara or Stella?"
"It will not be Stella."
"And it will not be Clara."
"Then why don't you leave it for tomorrow? You both must be very tired. You sleep and rest, and tomorrow you'll be able to make a better decision. Okay?" Eve had laid down the law. She was great at it. Having two teenagers at home, made her the most qualified of us, and Mel finally gave in. We said our goodbyes and slipped to the corridor trying to muffle heels and talk unitl reaching the elevator.
"She's so adorable! She has Mel's eyes!" Ella said as the elevator's doors shut.
"I think her hair will darken before she reaches two." I said from the corner. My back was killing me. Sitting on that stiff couch for the last hour had finished the job that standing on heels since midnight hadn't. I couldn't wait to get home, I was going to dump the shoes and slip into bed, into pure bliss. "Can you believe they're arguing between Clara and Stella?"
"Terrible names for such a beautiful girl. I had an aunt called Clara. She had mean eyes and smoked her lungs away."
"Hmm. Don't tell Mel that. I have no idea Jolfson's pushing that so much on her. He knows they never got along."
"Hmm. Men." I sighed.
The ride home was quick. I was counting the minutes to the door when I heard music and laughter. It appeared Lumi had come home and wasn't alone. When I opened the door, I took a quick survey of the chaos that reigned on our living room. Lumi was sprawled on the floor giving the finger to the ceiling and cursing the air blue, while Kit nodded continuously and Meg sang, very badly, about an Angel breaking her heart. Toni Braxton, I thought. It had nothing to do with Toni Braxton's. Maddy was in the kitchen blending more margaritas.
I kicked my shoes by the door, locked, grabbed the cup Maddy had offered and sat by Lumi's side.
"What happened? Where's Victor?" By now, I should've known better than to ask about a man that had clearly made her mad into inebriation. Lumi had a few drinks from now and again, but she never drank into not being able to sit straight, much less lie on the floor cursing the ceiling. I looked up at the awful ceiling and the sad lamp hanging there and back to Lumi that had her furious eyes and continued to talk to no one.
"Is... Victor on the ceiling?"
"He sure as hell is!" she shouted. She turned to me with her eyes wide and hurt, and told me, between mumbles and moans only twenty years of relationship could help you understand, what had happened.
After I put a pillow under her head and listened to her drunk talk, I took her cellphone to keep her from doing stupid calls and went into my bedroom. I put it next to mine on my desk, stripped out of my clothes and climbed into bed just before my clock blinked 4:00 a.m.
***
Victor had called the last time on Sunday morning, which had been incredibly stupid on my opinion. But no, he was going to provoke the beast at ten in the morning, in the middle of a full hangover.
All I could hear was Lumi's angry retort that she didn't know any Victor, while Kit that apparently had the phone and was shouting herself with her brother. Lumi stormed into my bedroom a few minutes later and laid in the bed next to me.
"Victor's a jackass."
"They all are, honey."
"Indeed!"
"What did he say?"
"That he was sorry and that Linda was just a friend. More like Baranga."
"Hmm.. And?"
"Just a friend that he took home at 2 a.m. From a pub! On a saturday night! He may be stupid, I'm not."
"He's not very smart, is he?"
"He's brick stupid, it's what he is. I'm going back to sleep."
"Where's Kit, Meg and Madelline?"
"They left."
"Oh, okay then. We'll go for brunch later."
"Great idea. Night."
"Night." and she curled beside me and slept.
***
So Victor had called three times since they met on last Thursday and Eli hadn't even texted me back after my invitation. So I was climbing up out of the station when I remembered that one of the four books I had to return had been left home. The librarian had taken a dislike of me from the first week. My cellphone had rang Lady Gaga's Telephone very loudly during lunch on my third day at NYU. Since then, whenever I came in, she warned me about my cellphone and asked me to check it twice before entering. The fact that I had left a book home, wasn't going to please her at all. But between carrying three heavy books around and being scolded, I preferred the scold.
I walked in and was waiting behind a man in a suit for my turn when no one less than Eli came down the stairs. I gave him a smile and got a cold one back. Had something happened? The man in the suit left and I put my books over the balcony. Beside Eli was a brunette that I had seen in the professor's lounge before. She had a Mediterranean look and a long black hair that was cast over her shoulder in a thick braid. Her long skirt flowed around her legs and her arms touched his while they walked. Suddenly the image of Lumi lying on the floor seemed perfect for me. I turned my back to him and was planning my own margarita party when he stopped by my side on his own. He waited while Mrs. Jackson scolded me about my late book and when I turned to leave he took my arm and guided me outside.
"Do you have a second?" he asked.
"I might." I replied coldly. "Why?"
"I want to talk with you. All I have to do is drop off these papers at my office and I'd like to take you to lunch."
"Ah, I don't think I can..."
"It's important."
"Hmm. Fine." I sighed. "Where?"
"I'll meet you across the street by the park's entrance, okay? Five minutes."
"All right."
***
Eli had no idea why he had said he needed to talk. He had been avoiding on purpose. Since thursday, he hadn't thought about anything else. He had casually asked his colleague about teacher and students relationships and had not only gotten cold disapproval but also a warning that this kind of situation was seriously punished in the University. She had told him about a professor called John Harris that had worked there a few years back and how he had had a relationship with a student called Margaret. They had secretly dated for a few months when another student brought that situation to the Dean's knowledge. The professor had been fired and the student had faced an inquiry and after diligencies, politely asked to leave.
On Saturday when, he deliberately had ignored his cellphone the whole afternoon. He had made calls, went out to buy groceries and had even stopped by the laundry room to deal with his clothes. His sister had brought his nephew over for him to babysit while she went to the supermarket with her husband. Jamie was four and a handful but he had always enjoyed children and as godfather, enjoyed Jamie very much. Jamie's father worked at the same hospital his sister did as a nurse, and they rarely had time to run errands or spend time alone, so Eli watched him whenever he could. In fact, he was grateful for the distraction. And now he had a reason to push the troubles out of his mind.
"I want a lollipop." Jamie said after watching his godfather for a while. He had been staring the wall with an angry face and Jamie didn't like it. Lollipops made everything better.
"You'll spoil your dinner if you eat candy now." Eli said snapping out of his thoughts, but was already thinking of the red one he had hidden in the kitchen. If Jamie ate it fast, Ellen would never need to know.
"Please" he pleaded making his eyes big and wide. He already knew how to charm his way into getting what he wanted and knew his uncle was even easier to charm than his mother. "I promise to behave."
"Ah you promise to behave, do you?" Eli asked pointing to the toys that were spread everywhere in his small living room. "All right, if you pick up your toys and sit to watch TV, I'll give you a lollipop."
"A red one?"
"A red one."
"Okay!" He slided off the couch and was running around picking up toys, tripping over some, but in the end they were all dumped in the cart box he had brought them on. He went back to the couch and sat giddily, with his hands stretched. Eli bit his tongue to hide his smile and went into the kitchen. He passed by his phone that he had left over the counter and felt his stomach tighten. He hadn't answered or called me yet. He got the lollipop and gave it to Jamie.
Sitting back at the dinner table he tried to work on his thesis while Jamie was still entertained by the TV and the lollipop and ended up searching me on google.
Later that night, after Ellen and James had brought dinner and taken a sleepy Jamie home, Eli was sitting at the couch and was watching the cellphone he had placed in the coffee table, trying to figure out what to do. Clearly, the wisest thing was to break off whatever they had started and made it clear that now it wasn't possible, but that he wanted to remain friends. It was the best option. But... and he strongly felt that this but had the weight of hundred ones, he didn't want to. He stretched out his legs and turned on the TV. After twenty minutes, he got up, changed his clothes and was about to go out and try to meet me at the Pub when his phone rang. It was Ellen.
"Eli, James and I are being called at the hospital. One of his patients is in labor and the chief nurse is busy with another patient. Can you watch Jamie tonight? I'm sorry. But I couldn't find anyone to watch him for me."
"Of course I can. I'll wait by the newstand."
"We'll be there in five minutes. Thank you." and she hung up. Maybe it was for the best. He thought about me while he locked the door to go downstairs to wait for his nephew.
Now, he was inside his office and I was waiting for him at the park. He had to decide what to do. Did he really want to start a relationship now? In January he'd be leaving to spend three months in London for the prep teaching for his doctorate and he wasn't going to postpone it. He was close to finishing his thesis and the sooner he did, the sooner he would be able to apply for a ten year in London. Then again. from the first day of class he had been mesmerized. He felt a need to talk and to approach that special student. He left all his books, picked all of his things, shoved them in his crossbody bag and left.
I was standing by the very entrance of the park and was about to send a text saying I had to leave when I saw him crossing the street. He was out of breath but had an intensity to his eyes I hadn't seen in a while. He smiled and said that unfortunately, it wasn't safe to speak there, and invited me to have lunch in some restaurant in midtown. Since it was closer to my home, I agreed. He looked around a few times before entering the cab and I gave the address to a Italian I loved on 56th street. We travelled up and I felt him watching me while I looked outside the window. He still hadn't mentioned what was so important that he needed to say and I was getting anxious.
During lunch we talked about the University and he told me about his godson, his nephew that he had babysitted on saturday night when his sister and her husband had been called back to the hospital for a patient that was in labor.
"Wait, Dr. James Holden is your brother-in-law?"
"Ah yes! Do you know him?"
"It was my friend Melinna that was in labor. He's her doctor."
"Really? What a coincidence. How's she?"
"Through the moon. She and her husband have been trying for a baby for the last 5 years. They're Brazilians too." and we talked until the check came. Afterwards he took me by the hand and we walked in the Central Park direction. I couldn't wait any longer.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"I was getting up to that. Listen, Anne, it's forbidden for teachers and students to..."
"Date?"
"Yes. It's jeorpadizing to my career and to yours."
"Hmm."
"And? This was a goodbye lunch?"
"It was my intention."
"Well, the lunch is over. I..."
"No, you won't. You always do this when you want to avoid conflict. You'll stay there until we're finished. I don't want to end this. It's risky and it'll probably be difficult, but I think we can handle this. Can you?"
"I... how difficult?"
"Well, we won't be able to meet or show anything other than strictly professional relationship on the University."
"That's just common sense, I think. I can handle it." I said while I stared ahead. He pulled my hand and had me looking back to him.
"I'm sorry I didn't call."
"It's okay."
"Do you want to take a walk at the Park?"
"I do" I replied smiling. I loved to walk on the park. It was a beautiful day and being my second summer in New York, I wanted to enjoy it the fullest. He took my hand and started to tell me about Jamie. I'll never forget that day.
***
Eli had no idea why he had said he needed to talk. He had been avoiding on purpose. Since thursday, he hadn't thought about anything else. He had casually asked his colleague about teacher and students relationships and had not only gotten cold disapproval but also a warning that this kind of situation was seriously punished in the University. She had told him about a professor called John Harris that had worked there a few years back and how he had had a relationship with a student called Margaret. They had secretly dated for a few months when another student brought that situation to the Dean's knowledge. The professor had been fired and the student had faced an inquiry and after diligencies, politely asked to leave.
On Saturday when, he deliberately had ignored his cellphone the whole afternoon. He had made calls, went out to buy groceries and had even stopped by the laundry room to deal with his clothes. His sister had brought his nephew over for him to babysit while she went to the supermarket with her husband. Jamie was four and a handful but he had always enjoyed children and as godfather, enjoyed Jamie very much. Jamie's father worked at the same hospital his sister did as a nurse, and they rarely had time to run errands or spend time alone, so Eli watched him whenever he could. In fact, he was grateful for the distraction. And now he had a reason to push the troubles out of his mind.
"I want a lollipop." Jamie said after watching his godfather for a while. He had been staring the wall with an angry face and Jamie didn't like it. Lollipops made everything better.
"You'll spoil your dinner if you eat candy now." Eli said snapping out of his thoughts, but was already thinking of the red one he had hidden in the kitchen. If Jamie ate it fast, Ellen would never need to know.
"Please" he pleaded making his eyes big and wide. He already knew how to charm his way into getting what he wanted and knew his uncle was even easier to charm than his mother. "I promise to behave."
"Ah you promise to behave, do you?" Eli asked pointing to the toys that were spread everywhere in his small living room. "All right, if you pick up your toys and sit to watch TV, I'll give you a lollipop."
"A red one?"
"A red one."
"Okay!" He slided off the couch and was running around picking up toys, tripping over some, but in the end they were all dumped in the cart box he had brought them on. He went back to the couch and sat giddily, with his hands stretched. Eli bit his tongue to hide his smile and went into the kitchen. He passed by his phone that he had left over the counter and felt his stomach tighten. He hadn't answered or called me yet. He got the lollipop and gave it to Jamie.
Sitting back at the dinner table he tried to work on his thesis while Jamie was still entertained by the TV and the lollipop and ended up searching me on google.
Later that night, after Ellen and James had brought dinner and taken a sleepy Jamie home, Eli was sitting at the couch and was watching the cellphone he had placed in the coffee table, trying to figure out what to do. Clearly, the wisest thing was to break off whatever they had started and made it clear that now it wasn't possible, but that he wanted to remain friends. It was the best option. But... and he strongly felt that this but had the weight of hundred ones, he didn't want to. He stretched out his legs and turned on the TV. After twenty minutes, he got up, changed his clothes and was about to go out and try to meet me at the Pub when his phone rang. It was Ellen.
"Eli, James and I are being called at the hospital. One of his patients is in labor and the chief nurse is busy with another patient. Can you watch Jamie tonight? I'm sorry. But I couldn't find anyone to watch him for me."
"Of course I can. I'll wait by the newstand."
"We'll be there in five minutes. Thank you." and she hung up. Maybe it was for the best. He thought about me while he locked the door to go downstairs to wait for his nephew.
Now, he was inside his office and I was waiting for him at the park. He had to decide what to do. Did he really want to start a relationship now? In January he'd be leaving to spend three months in London for the prep teaching for his doctorate and he wasn't going to postpone it. He was close to finishing his thesis and the sooner he did, the sooner he would be able to apply for a ten year in London. Then again. from the first day of class he had been mesmerized. He felt a need to talk and to approach that special student. He left all his books, picked all of his things, shoved them in his crossbody bag and left.
I was standing by the very entrance of the park and was about to send a text saying I had to leave when I saw him crossing the street. He was out of breath but had an intensity to his eyes I hadn't seen in a while. He smiled and said that unfortunately, it wasn't safe to speak there, and invited me to have lunch in some restaurant in midtown. Since it was closer to my home, I agreed. He looked around a few times before entering the cab and I gave the address to a Italian I loved on 56th street. We travelled up and I felt him watching me while I looked outside the window. He still hadn't mentioned what was so important that he needed to say and I was getting anxious.
During lunch we talked about the University and he told me about his godson, his nephew that he had babysitted on saturday night when his sister and her husband had been called back to the hospital for a patient that was in labor.
"Wait, Dr. James Holden is your brother-in-law?"
"Ah yes! Do you know him?"
"It was my friend Melinna that was in labor. He's her doctor."
"Really? What a coincidence. How's she?"
"Through the moon. She and her husband have been trying for a baby for the last 5 years. They're Brazilians too." and we talked until the check came. Afterwards he took me by the hand and we walked in the Central Park direction. I couldn't wait any longer.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"I was getting up to that. Listen, Anne, it's forbidden for teachers and students to..."
"Date?"
"Yes. It's jeorpadizing to my career and to yours."
"Hmm."
"And? This was a goodbye lunch?"
"It was my intention."
"Well, the lunch is over. I..."
"No, you won't. You always do this when you want to avoid conflict. You'll stay there until we're finished. I don't want to end this. It's risky and it'll probably be difficult, but I think we can handle this. Can you?"
"I... how difficult?"
"Well, we won't be able to meet or show anything other than strictly professional relationship on the University."
"That's just common sense, I think. I can handle it." I said while I stared ahead. He pulled my hand and had me looking back to him.
"I'm sorry I didn't call."
"It's okay."
"Do you want to take a walk at the Park?"
"I do" I replied smiling. I loved to walk on the park. It was a beautiful day and being my second summer in New York, I wanted to enjoy it the fullest. He took my hand and started to tell me about Jamie. I'll never forget that day.
