10 Chapter 10
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I was close to tears at the going-away party the produce department held for me on my last day. We all agreed to meet at the eatery across the parking lot after the grocery store closed. I didn’t know what to expect, but was so happy to see Buzz and his husband in the crowd.
Ry was there, too. He gave me a present, something for which everyone had contributed, I was told. It was a glass plaque that read “Best Employee Ever.” I was deeply moved by the gesture and thanked them all.
Most people drank alcohol but I stuck to water and soda. It was midnight before the party broke up, with lots of hugs and covert feel-ups of my scrawny butt that I would have never expected.
I waved good night to the folks still hanging around—Buzz and his spouse long gone to relieve the babysitter—and headed to the bus stop. There would be one more bus before the route stopped running until morning and I didn’t feel like walking.
Before I made it to the traffic light, however, Ry pulled up beside me in his car. “Can I give you a lift home?” he asked.
He appeared sober enough. I thought about it, then acquiesced. “Sure, thanks.”
Not long after that, he parked in front of my apartment building.
I turned toward him, feeling generous. “Coffee?”
He gave me a small smile. “I’d like that, thanks.”
Ry followed me to the elevator like last time, and when we arrived at my floor, I let him inside my apartment. “Sorry about the books everywhere,” I said as we moved to the kitchen. My place was small enough that the kitchen wasn’t separated by a wall from the living room.
“It’s okay. I imagine you have a lot of reading to do in preparation for classes to start. Have you met with your professors yet?” he asked as he sat in one of the two chairs at my tiny table while I boiled water on the stove.
“Yeah. The day I took off this week I did the rounds at the university, finalized my schedule, and familiarized myself with the place. I also met with the professor who I’ll be assisting throughout the school year. It’s a bit overwhelming, but I’m looking forward to it all.”
I handed him a steaming cup of water and placed Nescafe with a spoon, along with tea bags, before him. He could choose which he preferred. He spooned coffee into his mug.
“It sounds like you’re excited about all this. There’s a glow about you that I don’t remember ever seeing. It looks good on you,” he said before blowing on the hot liquid.
“Thank you,” I replied before sipping my tea.
“I hope you’ll still drop by the grocery store from time to time?”
“Oh, sure. I need food to survive, after all, though I’ll no longer have the discount, so I’ll have to be a bit more frugal.” I grinned. “I see Ramen noodles in my future.”
“No way, man. You can use my discount whenever you come in. If I’m not there, I’ll figure something out. We can’t have you starving. You’re skinny enough as it is.”
“From what I can tell, you like ‘em slender,” I drawled, referring to Trent and his waifish self. I was surprised at how…laidback Ry and I were with each other.
Ry set down the cup and covered his face. “Will you ever let me forget that?”
I grinned. “Probably not. I assume it’s over between you two?”
“There was never a ‘thing.’ But you know, for all his sleeping around, Trent really just wants to be loved for who he is. He simply doesn’t know how to do that without acting the slut. I prefer my guys a little more complicated.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I see.”
He leaned forward on his elbows. “Do you really? I hope so, because I don’t want to lose track of you. I know we got off to a rocky start, but I’d like to be in your life, even if it’s only on the sidelines. I realize I’ll have to earn your trust, but don’t shut me out, please? Clean slate? Shake on it.”
He held out his hand, and after a slight hesitation, I shook it. “Done. Finish your coffee and get out.” I winked at him so he knew I was kidding, at least a little. It was late and my bed was calling to me.
“Yes, sir.” Ry drained his cup, then headed for the door. I opened it and he stepped into the hallway. Before leaving, he said, “You know, I love it when you wear eyeliner. Is that something you’ll continue to do when you have that big, bad master’s degree?”
“It’ll keep for special occasions. Thanks for tonight, Ry. It was lovely and I appreciated it. You were very sweet for putting it together.”
“You deserve that and more, I’ll have you know. Can I call you sometime? Maybe we can hang out, or something? You’ll need a break from the craziness of studying every now and then. I’ll always be available to you. Any time of day or night. I want you to know that.”
I studied him. He seemed in earnest. I took out my cell phone. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you…whenever.”
He rattled off the digits and I stored them in my phone. “Have a good night, Ry.”
He leaned in to kiss my cheek. “You, too. Don’t be a stranger.”
* * * *
As terrified as I was of teaching and facing bored freshman in a crowded classroom, thankfully I didn’t have to do much in that vein. I mostly monitored tests, handed out assignments, and gave the occasional lecture. School was hard, and there were times when I wanted to collapse in bed utterly exhausted, except for the fact that I had papers to grade, as well as my own assignments to pursue.
