She took the hint and opened her sketchbook. She shifted in her chair to get a better view of me and began drawing.
I tried to ignore her.
After a while she stopped and simply looked at me. She wanted my attention. When that didn’t work, she nudged my foot with her toe.
I glanced at her briefly before returning to my book.
She nudged me again.
I crossed my legs the other way.
“Do you have a favorite?” she asked.
I didn’t look up. “Favorite what?”
“Poem.”
I held my place in the book and looked at her.
“Sorry. I was just curious. I just thought you might like to share.”
“Not really. No, wait.” I turned back several pages until I found what I was looking for. “Yeah, this is perfect for you.”
I gave her a flat look, not the least bit friendly.
She stared at her hands. “Have I done something wrong?”
“No, of course not.”
“Only… I feel like I have.”
I shrugged.
“It’s because of yesterday, isn’t it? When I went to church?”
“Nope,” I lied. “Didn’t bother me a bit.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why does it bother you?”
“It doesn’t. You’re you and I’m me. We’re different people.”
“Is it because I’m Catholic?”
“Is what because you’re Catholic?”
“Why you’re upset.”
“Why should I be upset?”
“Because… I thought… I mean…” She looked down again. “I guess I don’t know what I mean.”
I gazed at her with silent animosity.
“Sorry. I’ll let you get back to your book.”
“Thanks.” I opened it and found where I’d left off.
When she’d gone, I closed it for good and stared out the window at the dark sky. I sat for a long time, wondering why I’d been such an unmitigated ass.
I knew why, of course. I just didn’t want to admit it. I thought about it during my morning run on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. I thought about it between classes and at the gym. I was still thinking about it that evening when the phone rang.
Christy yelled up the stairs.
My thoughts were lost in the dark sky.
She appeared at the door. “Sorry to bother you. Phone.”
“Thanks.” I set my book aside and followed her down.
The phone in my room was Erin’s old one, a white Princess model with pink and yellow flower stickers on the handset. I kept it because it made me think of her and smile. I picked up the receiver and covered the mouthpiece.
“I got it,” I called to Christy.
She hung up the extension in her room.
“Hello?”
“Well, it’s about time.”
I smiled at the tone but frowned because I didn’t recognize the voice.
“Sorry, who is this?”
“Sara.”
“Um… I think you might have the wrong number. Who’re you looking for?”
“You! It’s me, your favorite dyke bitch.”
The penny dropped, but I decided to mess with her anyway. “Hmm, lemme see. My favorite dyke? Gertrude? No, she’s in Paris. Virginia? Uh-uh.
London, I think. Who else…?”
“Very funny.”
“Hey, Sara,” I said warmly. “How’re you?
“I’m fine. How’re you?”
“Good.” I kicked my door closed and flopped onto the bed. “I thought you moved to California.”
“We did. San Francisco.”
“So Daphne went with you? That’s awesome. How’s she?”
“Thinking with your dick again?”
“No. Just asking one friend about another.”
She laughed, happy and nostalgic. “She’s fine.”
“So… everything’s okay?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to hear a friendly voice.”
“And you called
“Is that so crazy?”
“Not from my perspective. I know I’m a nice guy. But from yours…?”
“I know you’re a nice guy.”
I thought of something out of the blue. “Hold on… how’d you get my number? Not that I mind or anything, but I’m curious.”
“From Jamie.” She laughed. “You’re getting quite a reputation.”
My brow creased at the non sequitur. “Reputation? How?”
“The queer grapevine in Knoxville. Seems you’re all the talk among Jamie and friends.”
“Okay,” I said cautiously. “Is that good or bad?”
“Oh, good. He raved about the party at your house this weekend.”
“Yeah. Halloween. A costume party.”
“Mmm hmm. He said you made a point to invite him.”
“Yeah. Him, Andy, Tom, a couple of other guys I met at your party. What about it?”
“He said you were cool with it. Not many straights are. Not once they realize… you know.”
“That you’re normal?”
“Christ, why is every conversation such a fencing match with you?”
“Sorry. I guess you bring out my combative nature.”
“Yeah? Well, give it a rest.”
“Will do. So, Jamie gave you my number?”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “I wanted to talk to him about… what’s going on in my life. He said it wasn’t his department. Call you.”
“What department?”
“Women.”
“Got it. So, what’s going on?”
“I guess I just wanted someone to talk to.”
“And you picked
“Yes! I picked you. Now, do you want to listen or what?”
“Sorry. I’ll cool it. I swear.”
“Yeah, well… whatever. Anyway, things haven’t been so great since we moved out here.”
I sat up. “Sorry to hear it. Anything I can do?”
“I don’t know.” I heard the shrug in her voice. “Nothing, really. Maybe just listen and tell me things’ll work out.”
“What’s going on?”
“It’s… Daphne.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yeah. She’s fine. But…”
