“Well, hello Professor Andrews! Just thought I’d pop in to say ‘Hi’!” I turned around to see Douglas Jeffries smiling face.
“Doug!” I exclaimed with a smile. “How are you? Come on it? I haven’t seen you since the end of last semester.” I sat back down at my desk and gestured to the seat across from me.
Doug entered my office, closed the door behind him, and sat down. “I know, I went back home to visit family for a few weeks; it’s the longest vacation I’ve had in quite some time. I just got back. And none too soon as I have a pile of curriculum to sort through for my Introduction to Science Fiction course. Even though it doesn’t start for another two months.”
“I have to admit that science fiction isn’t exactly my thing,” I said making a cringy face, “but it was highly requested from the students. I think it will be a good addition to our offerings. And if it goes well, it could also mean you’ll get to teach science fiction writing.”
“Oh no,” Doug replied, shaking his head. “Not sure I’d be much good at teaching writing. I think I’m best at analyzing someone else’s work. Writing is your department; you are an amazing writer.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. You did great filling in for Mary in her Introduction to Creative Writing course last year when she was on maternity leave. You know more about writing than you give yourself credit for.” I gave Doug a genuine smile while absentmindedly shuffling a few papers around on my desk. I had managed to fill up my garbage can and rearrange one section of a bookshelf. I was done with trying to distract myself by tiding up. I was happy to chat with Doug to help pass the time.
Doug looked like a stereotypical English professor. He was tall and lanky, with hair that always needed a trim and wire rimmed glasses that he was constantly having to push back up on his nose. His standard uniform was a pair of dark jeans, white button-down shirt, solid dark color tie, and corduroy jacket with elbow patches, no less. While his appearance was a bit nerdy, he was smart and sweet, and was quite funny when you got to know him. I had tried setting him up with Krista, but after two dates, she said it wasn’t going to happen. “I think he’s more interested in you than me,” Krista had told me afterwards. “He talked about you non-stop both times we went out.”
“I’m sure it was just nerves,” I insisted. “He’s very shy when you first meet him. He was probably struggling to come up with something to talk about and knew I was at least a common denominator between the two of you.”
“Well, I tried bringing up all sorts of topics: movies, music, books, travel, food,” Krista said with a smirk, “but all of his answers revolved around you. ‘Leah introduced me to this artist and this author and this food’ and on and on and on. He seemed a bit obsessed with you, to be honest.”
“Oh, give me a break! We have worked together for over two years now. He’s never once hit on me or shown any interest other than that of a co-worker.” But Krista insisted several times over the following week that she was not interested in Doug; and he never called her to try for a third date, so apparently the feeling was mutual. And despite what I had told Krista, I had honestly sensed that Doug may have had a bit of crush on me. However, since he never acted on it, I felt it was harmless. And I honestly had no interest in him, only seeing him as a friend and colleague. Setting him up with Krista was also a way for me to attempt to divert his focus on to someone else.
Turning my attention back to the present, I asked Doug how his visit home had been. “Oh, it was good. I went to a family reunion and hung out with my parents and brothers. I basically just relaxed,” Doug said with a smile. “What have you been up to? How was the big ol’ college reunion?”
“It was good,” I said with a hesitation. I did not want to spill all the details of my reunion with Matty; I was still getting over the shock of him being back in my life. And I also did not know what lay ahead for us. I really wanted to keep it all to myself for the time being.
“You know how reunions are; lots of drinking and schmoozing!” I turned the conversation back to him, asking him a question about our upcoming department meeting the next day. I was always amazed at how many students crammed in extra courses during the summer; I would have loved to have the three months off.
Doug and I continued chatting for a bit, but a glance at the clock made me realize that my class was about to start. “I had better get going, Doug; my students await. I’ll see you at tomorrow’s meeting.” I stood up and started gathering my papers.
“Wanna grab a cup of coffee after your class?” Doug asked with a hopeful smile on his face.
“Actually, I have to head home right after my class gets out. I have plans for tonight,” I said, praying I could leave it at that.
“Whoa, you got a hot date this evening?” Doug asked with a smile still on his face, but I thought it seemed a bit strained. So much for trying to keep things to myself
“Um,” I hesitated, not wanting to tell him. But then I decided that lying was silly; after all, I didn’t have anything to hide. “Actually, yes, I am meeting someone
