"Elixir of the gods, but you’re right. How about a diet coke?"
"Ew! Are you serious? I’d rather get you a coffee."
"What’s wrong with diet coke?"
"I don’t know. I’ve always spat it out too quickly to be able to give a full description."
"I wouldn’t want to force you to compromise your values."
"Diet coke it is. I’ll just make sure not to handle it too much." She playfully tossed her bags at him and then practically skipped away.
~~~
He stood for a moment and watched her leave. The stupid grin started to leave his face and a more serious smile replaced it. He kept it on as he found his way to the garage.
Nineteen, he kept reminding himself as he waited for the elevator to arrive. Ireland, he thought when he stepped in to the elevator.
Three months is not a very long time, he thought as he arrived at his floor. Yeah, but a lot can happen in three months. What if she meets someone else, but doesn’t do anything because she’s noble? What if she meets someone else and I can’t do anything about it? What if she gets out of school so quickly I’m not there when she graduates?
He shook his head as he put the bags in the car. He walked back to the elevator, trying not to think about curve of her lips when she listened to him talk. Maybe she could come with me. Right, and bail on everything she’s worked so hard for? And I’ll just put her in my suitcase for the whole trip.
She shook the diet coke at him as he approached. "As promised."
"And I thought you weren’t going to touch the stuff."
"For you, anything." He smiled at that and sat down. Emily leaned in. "So, the other part of the arrangement was that you tell me what happened between you and the fraternity-which-I-cannot-name."
He put his elbows on the table. "The thing is I’m not sure I can provide you with all of the details."
"Just do your best."
"It was last year. May."
"The scene is set."
"Our weekends usually went pretty well. And by ‘well’, I mean that there was usually a lot of liquid refreshment and company."
"Girls. All of whom showed ID before you let them in."
"Absolutely. However, there were occasions when we didn’t have as much company as some of the other guys would have liked, and during those times they would go looking for some to bring over a day or two before."
"You guys put the 'organize' in 'organization'."
"You cannot fault us for our forethought. Usually, we didn’t have to look too far, but with finals approaching and our strange academic calendar, that weekend found us a little short. So some of the other guys ventured out into parts unknown, also known as Boston University and Boston College."
She shook her head slowly. "And?"
"There is kind of an unspoken rule between fraternities... and territories."
"Territory. As in ownership?"
"We preferred to think of it as an implied right."
"First dibs?"
"That works." He smiled, but she didn't. "Some of the younger guys obviously did not understand this because they brought back a whole bunch of new girls. We thought that was great until we realized where they were from."
"Don’t you have a chapter or something at BU or BC?"
"Ah, so you’re not a total Greek novice?"
"Some things have managed to gain my notice."
"We could have had a chapter at the other colleges but we didn’t. So when some of the other frats found out, they were pretty pissed. Only one, however, thought it was worth their time to pay us a visit."
"And did you have cookies and tea waiting for them?"
"Not exactly. And this is where it gets hazy. I remember some shoving, yelling, punching," he nodded as he listed. "But the next thing I knew a bunch of us woke up in the basement half-naked with some of the other frat guys." He was silent for a moment. "And there was some marker writing on us. And there were no girls." He looked around. "But there were some pictures on our cell phones."
"And then?"
"We all agreed that one, we weren’t going to each other’s campuses again and two, it never happened."
She laughed again. "What an exciting life you used to lead."
"Excitement isn't everything it's cracked up to be. I think there's an old Chinese curse: 'May you live in interesting times.'"
Emily frowned. "I'm not Chinese."
"I didn't think you were." He paused. "But I did think you were something."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "Serbo-Croatian? Norwegian? Pakistani?"
"No," Mitch said slowly. "Something Asian, East Asian." She was silent. "But maybe not…"
"Korean," she said after a moment. "Or, my Dad was- is. So I guess it depends on whom you ask. Some will say absolutely, some will say not at all."
"Hmm," he nodded knowingly. "I get that sometimes."
"Not being accepted by either the Korean- or Euro-American communities?"
"No. Yes. I mean, Jewish communities. My mom is Jewish, my dad isn’t. They raised me as a Jew. We go to a Reform synagogue, when we go to synagogue, but sometimes my Dad and I get... let's call them curious glances."
"Isn’t that different? You are Jewish right? It's a religion. It's non-negotiable."
"Except for the ‘purists’."
"True," Emily sighed. "My Mom was, er, is the opposite. Her dad was Jewish, her mother was not, and the Jews in our family weren't even Reform."
"Oh ho," Mitch said involuntarily.
"Excuse me?"
He smiled. "I knew there was something I liked about you."
Emily tilted her chin. "You have a thing for quarter-Jewish girls?"
"No, but I think I should. But only if they’re also half-Korean." She looked away, trying to think of something smart to say, but couldn't. "And now you're supposed to say something nice about half-Jewish boys."
"You should be a gentleman again and change the subject."
"So what do you want to do when you're out of school?"
"Drink, most of the time. When I’m not shooting up."
"And how do you plan to finance your habit? Student loans?"
"I really would rather spend my days in a crack house than go to school anymore."
"You mean you’re not going to graduate school?"
She looked up at the ceiling. "I am so burnt out now I’m surprised I don’t set off fire alarms."
"That’s no surprise. They have vacations- even co-ops- for a reason, dummy."
"I bet you call all the girls that. No, this is better, because now I’ll be out more quickly. I know this sounds stupid and ungrateful, but I never wanted to go to college. Hell, I didn’t want to go to high school. I would have been happy sitting in the Boston Public Library all day studying on my own. Of course, then I probably would have been an expert in hemlines and hair color, but learned nothing about politics or history. Maybe it was all for the best. Of course it is. I just wish I could do anything else."
"So what would you like to do when you’re done?"
"If money were no object? I’d love to tramp around the world. I’ve always wanted to take the ‘Alexander trip.’ I’d start in Macedonia and work my way to India. Then do him one better and get to China and Korea, just because." She sighed. "But even if money weren’t an object, that’s just not safe anymore." She propped her face on her hands. "My interview is over for now. Your turn. What do you want to do when you escape from college?" Emily asked.
"I feel pretty square, but I’m planning on coming back for more. Law school and I’m looking forward to it." He shrugged. "I’m pretty simple."
"Not at all," she smiled "The law is noble and exciting. What kind?"
"I guess I like to argue, so maybe litigation. I haven’t decided yet. I was too busy taking the LSATs. I’m sorry, we’re not all as complicated and interesting as you are."
"I don’t buy it. I’m sure that beneath your calm exterior you’re burning with passion for... something,"
Emily said.
Mitch raised his eyebrows. "You know, this is just a first date."
"Date? Is that what we’re calling it?"
"Is there some reason this doesn’t qualify?"
She sipped the last of her drink, stood up and said, "In my universe, dates include food. I’m always hungry."
He stood up too. "You don’t look like you always eat," he said finally.
"I didn’t say I always eat, just that I’m always hungry. You know," she playfully tapped his chest with the back of her hand, "still growing."
Her hand tingled when he took it into both of his. "I guess," he said quietly, "I’m just going to have to feed you then. What am I getting you?"
She looked at him looking at her. She hoped she wasn’t turning red. "I think I’m not as hungry as I was a minute ago."
"Am I doing something wrong?"
"I didn't say that," she said softly.
He reached for her face and put a lock of hair behind her ear to match the other side. "If I don’t get something for you, I’m going to feel like a jerk." He took her hand back and led her to the escalator.
She stood to one side of the escalator while he leaned on the other. She blushed and turned away to look out the windows. "Wait, are we heading toward the Reflecting Pool?"
"Yeah. Whole Foods is that way. I thought we could grab some bread and cheese."
"How European of you. Not that I’ve ever been to Europe. But-" she pointed and looked at him, "isn’t this where you were mugged?"
"I think we’re safe, I don’t have any school books with me tonight. Do you think it might be dangerous?"
"It might be, but I’ll protect you."
She jumped off the escalator and pulled him with her. They crossed the street and walked to the Reflecting Pool. He jumped up on the stone border and started walking backwards on it.
"Stop!"
"I’m not going to stop," he said. "I think I’m going to close my eyes."
"Stop!"
"And if you keep telling me to stop, I might fall in, get soaking wet and then catch pneumonia. And then you’ll have to take care of me for months on end, miss class and not graduate. Is that the life you want for yourself?"
"All of this assumes that you’re not going to fall and crack your head open. Get down!"
He shook his head. "I’m not going to get down. In fact, you’re going to come up. You’re going to have to hold my hands and make sure that I don’t fall in. I mean it. I’m going faster!"
"Oh, Jesus!" She jumped up onto the smooth stone. It was about five inches off of the pavement, but she felt a little off balance. Though she’d lived in close proximity to the pool for years, she’d never done this. "Open your eyes or I’m going to push you in myself!" she shouted.
He opened his eyes and grabbed her hands. "If you want me to get all wet, there are easier ways."
"Get down from there now!" A booming voice, which sounded as if it were being magnified by a bullhorn, came from a security guard next to the building. "You are not allowed to step or sit next to the Reflecting Pool. Get down right now!"
"Happily!" Emily jumped onto the pavement and pulled Mitch with her. "Sorry! Won’t happen again!" The guard made sure that they were down and well away from the pool before he slowly walked off.
"You’re stupid!" she said, hitting his arm once the guard was out of sight.
"Ow! What was that guy going to do to us?"
"Fine us for trespassing, Mr. Lawyer, and I would be very hard pressed to pay it."
"Don’t worry, I’d bail you out."
"Dude, you haven’t even made it to dinner yet."
"Right, food!" He grabbed her hand and they ran across Mass. Ave, laughing as they dodged traffic. They ran into the store giggling. Emily grabbed some fruit and Mitch got the bread and cheese. The food rang up to twelve dollars- "This had better be some good cheese!"- then Mitch grabbed two chocolates. "For you, my dear," he said as he handed them to her. She grinned.
"What, no coffee?" Emily teased as they got out of the store.
"Princess Cappuccino is open until twelve-thirty tonight."
"Did you know there is another one on Newbury Street?"
"Newbury Street? Hmm, is that cheating on the Gainsborough location? I mean, it’s a different store, but it’s the same store, you know?"
"What do you think the Supreme Court would say about it?"
"Who’s the complainant?" They walked up Mass Ave to Newbury as they puzzled it out, gobbling up their bread and cheese on the way. By the time they got there, they determined that if the proprietors were bringing charges against them, they wouldn’t have a case, but if the staff, who might have grown accustomed to their tips, did, that would be another story. "And I do try to tip," Mitch said as they walked down the stairs into the Newbury Store. "My mother had a friend who worked in a coffee shop for a little while, and they totally depend on the extra dollar or two they get per hour. It doesn’t seem like much, but it adds up."
"I always think of it as good karma to protect myself from people spitting into my tea."
"With that in mind, I insist that you get something other than tea."
"Excuse me? You haven’t known me long enough to be irritated, have you?"
"I think it might be a long night, and the extra caffeine might help."
She sat down and watched him from the back while he ordered for them. She could tell he still worked out. His frame wasn’t large, but he’d made his shoulders bigger. When he moved his arms slightly, she could see his upper body became more defined, even under a shirt and jacket. He moved like he was proud of his body, but not overly so. She started wondering what he might look like underneath the layers.
"For you." He sat down and handed her a pinkish brownish concoction topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. "Yum," she said, and giggled. "I have the worst sweet tooth ever," then started to take careful sips.
"Good to see you have some vices."
"Ugh! Don’t encourage my depravity."
"Coffee and chocolate are hardly depraved."
"What would count, since drugs and alcohol are off the table?"
"Isn’t there an Adam Ant song to this effect?"
"I don’t know, he’s a little before my time."
"Then how do you know about him at all? And how do you know he’s before your time?"
They talked about old music, the merits of classic Doctor Who (he was for, she was against) and the upcoming election for a while before they realized that they were the only people left in the place and that the guy behind the counter was looking at them resentfully.
"Okay, what’s next?" Mitch opened the door for her and they stepped out into the brisk fall air. It was just about midnight.
"Is anything else open that won’t card me?"
"Yes!" Mitch snapped his fingers. "Caffe Aventura in the North End. They’re open until, I dunno, three in the morning."
"Is the T even running this late?"
He looked at his watch. "Yeah, but we’ve got to hurry." He grabbed her hand and off they ran until they got to the ICA stop on the Green Line.
"Wow!" she shouted over the noise of the train once it started moving. "I don’t think I’ve ever had a whole car all to myself!"
"I once saw a clown on the T late at night."
He must be tired, she thought. "Um, when I was three I beat up a clown. That's what he got for being scary."
"This one probably wouldn’t have scared you. He wasn’t wearing makeup or a costume."
"Then how did you know he was a clown?"
"The flips and somersaults gave it away. That and the balloons."
"It’s always the balloons. Otherwise they’d be able to blend in."
"Are you still afraid of clowns?"
"No. I actually think some of them are pretty sexy."
"Excuse me?"
"Not the ones that look like Bozo, but the ones in the well-fitted black and white costumes. Harlequins? Pierrots?"
> "And... I think we’ve found another vice."
When they got to the café, she put her hand on his arm. "I just realized something. If you get me anymore caffeine I might throw up."
"Will you throw up if I drink some, or eat?"
"No..."
"Then let’s go." He led her in the door. It was surprisingly busy, but they were able to find a free table. "Ooh, look at that!" Emily said as they passed the dessert counter. "I might be able to find room for a cannoli."
"Can you manage that with an espresso?"
"What did I just say?"
"You could nurse it..."
"Is there some reason you want to keep me jacked up tonight?"
He leaned forward and put his face in his hands. "I like talking to you, and I want to do it as much as I can."
She held his eyes for a moment. "Alright, but you can’t expect anything I say in another hour to make any sense."
An hour and a half into their conversation, she indeed lost her train of thought and stared at him. He made a goofy face and she laughed. "You caught me."
"What were you thinking?"
"That I didn't enjoy myself this much the last time I stayed out this late."
"The last time? How late did you stay up?"
"At least until two."
"Then we're staying until three, for sure."
"Only if you get me another cannoli."
"Consider it done." He took a deep breath. "And who were you with?"
"Another girl." She paused. "Another heterosexual girl."
"Hmm. And how old were you?"
"Fifteen."
"Really?"
"What?"
"I can’t picture you up past your bedtime at that age."
"At that age, I could have done anything I wanted to as long as I didn’t get picked up by the police."
"Ah, you were one of those lucky kids with permissive parents."
"Just one. My parents were divorced by then, and the psychotically strict one left me with the pathologically lax one."
"Sounds like a good deal."
"I thought so too, for the most part. Of course, I did question it when there wasn't any food in the house."
Mitch laughed, but Emily's expression didn't change. "I'm sorry," he said, sitting up. "Food was always readily available in my house."
The Smartest Girl in the Room Page 4
