by Sara Marks
“It is twice as far from Boston to Atlanta than it is from New Orleans,” Wil said.
“Yes, I’m aware,” Lizbeth said.
“Then it’s not equal distance nor is it middle ground.”
Lizbeth looked at Wil with narrowed eyes.
“It was affordable for both of us compared to other options,” Lizbeth said.
Wil didn’t respond and the conversation turned to great bars and restaurants around the campus. Lydia took over and dominated the conversation. Charlie periodically asked Jane questions that Lydia answered. Wil just stared at Lizbeth for the rest of the conversation.
“I’m going to find another beer,” Lizbeth said, the empty bottle her excuse to walk away.
Charlotte followed her with a wave to the others. By the end of the night the pair was tipsy and giggling on the floor of the fraternity game room under the pool table. They were both tired of talking to the same drunk guys for the past three years and had been reduced to mocking those guys in whispers even though they were alone in the room.
“His lisp gets worse when he drinks. Why does he torture himself?” Charlotte said about one of the sophomore brothers who often hit on Lizbeth.
“Shhh,” Lizbeth said when she heard the game room door open and two people walk in.
“I like this group better than the brothers at Tulane,” one voice said.
“Yes, well, it is nice to have an actual house to hang out at. This group certainly has a better standing on campus and will yield better connections for the future,” the other replied.
The two pairs of legs stopped right next to the pool table. Lizbeth recognized the maroon Chucks. The two men could only be Charlie and Wil. Lizbeth heard billiard balls being knocked around above them.
“The Phi Alpha Pi sisters seem friendly. Jane’s very pretty,” Charlie said.
“She was very accommodating and sweet. She smiles a lot, but so do you.”
“Lizbeth is also very pretty.”
“Yes, but not my type. You know me and sorority girls. I don’t enjoy women who drink themselves stupid when they aren’t aggressively trying to attract wealthy men so they can elevate themselves socially and financially. The Phi Alpha Pi chapter here doesn’t have the best reputation. Caroline considered not joining the chapter.”
Lizbeth could feel her face flush. Charlotte grabbed her arm and covered her mouth to keep Lizbeth from revealing their location. They waited until Charlie and Wil ended their conversation and left the room.
“I’m too aggressive? I’m drinking myself stupid? I’m trying to elevate myself financially and socially?” Lizbeth said when they were alone again.
“Calm down. Don’t let the opinion of one unpleasant man upset you. He clearly knows nothing about you.”
“He judged me based on one twenty-minute conversation, and the entire sorority on rumors!”
“Come on, let’s get out of here. It’s not like you have to deal with him. How often do we party with the fraternity?”
“All the time, Charlotte! We have parties with them all the time,” Lizbeth said, her voice rising.
Charlotte dragged Lizbeth from the room and forced her to walk through the house to make sure all the sisters were safe. They found Marie taking her sober sister duties very seriously and decided to head back to the house on their own. They were about halfway down the block when Lydia ran up behind them.
“Charlie and Caroline are totally going to host a Halloween party at their townhouse!” Lydia yelled as she caught up with Lizbeth and Charlotte.
“Really?” Lizbeth said.
“Yep! Charlie promised they would host a party.”
“Wait, did he say a Halloween party or did you decide that?” Charlotte asked.
“He said they would have a party. I suggested Halloween and nobody said no.”
***
Jane had beat Lizbeth back in their room and was getting ready for bed.
“I tried to find you before I left,” Jane said as Lizzy pulled out her PJs.
“Charlotte and I got distracted.”
“I saw what’s-his-face with the lisp talking to you and then I lost you. I talked with him earlier, I wish I could remember his name. He is so considerate and offered to tutor me again this semester if I needed math help.
“You don’t have any math classes this year.”
“Yes, but it was sweet of him to offer. He was such a good tutor. I got a B in trig because of him.”
Jane walked into the bathroom while Lizbeth changed into her PJs.
“You spent a lot of time talking with Charlie. Nobody else got to talk to him,” Lizbeth said when Jane came back into the room.
“He’s really sweet. I like him, but Caroline wouldn’t leave his side. It’s sweet of her to look out for her brother. That’s why she transferred with him and Wil. Charlie’s trying to look out for her too. I wish I had a brother like that.”
“You have me. You know I’ll always look out for you. You’re like a sister to me.”
“I know and I love you like a sister. I know you would beat someone up for me any day! Speaking of beating someone up, Wil didn’t seem to impress you too much. I caught you calculating a response.”
“Why does everyone think I should care what Wil thinks about me?”
Lizbeth went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth.
Do you know what Charlotte and I overheard him say to Charlie?” Lizbeth said walking back into the bedroom, before recapping the conversation.
“Are you sure you didn’t take it out of context? I mean, he was very withdrawn at the party, but he’s at a new school and he barely knows anyone,” Jane said.
Lizbeth got into her bed.
“All the more reason to not judge people so quickly.”
“You can be aggressive and we do have a reputation on campus.”
“What reputation?” Lizbeth asked as she rolled onto her side to face Jane.
“Well, a lot of our members aren’t wealthy and often work on campus. Even you work on campus. Being at a private university and being poor often implies you’re looking for a way to become wealthy. Women in sororities are already burdened with an image of looking for marriage. Our reputation turns into marrying up. It’s not a big deal. I’m glad Caroline put it aside to join us.”
Lizbeth rolled on to her back. She did know something of the sorority’s reputation. In fact, she allowed people to assume the same about her. She worked in the campus library, but she didn’t need to do so. She just felt working for her spending money was the mature thing to do.
“I don’t want people to use me for my money,” Lizbeth said.
Jane didn’t miss a beat. She knew her best friend very well.
“I know that, but Wil doesn’t know you at all. Plus, you would typically agree with his assessment of sorority members.”
“That too many members drink far too much and throw themselves at men?”
“Your words, not mine. He’s been at Tulane for years and is probably quite used to that type of behavior.”
Lizbeth couldn’t argue with Jane. Not only was she too tired, but she knew Jane would see the best and try to put the appropriate context on the comments. Lizbeth didn’t want to stop being angry. To have someone, anyone, judge her so harshly and so quickly was not something she was accustomed to at all.
***
Lizbeth walked to the first day of her Gender Communication class thinking about how the past week had gone. She was feeling far better about the semester now that Rush Week was over and she was focused on classes.
“Lizbeth!” She heard her professor and mentor, Dr. Bennett, call from behind her.
She had met Dr. Bennett in her very first class at school. Since then he had become the advisor for her honors thesis and her mentor on campus. Now in his early 60�
�s, Dr. Bennett had been the odd male recognized as a feminist leader. He didn’t call himself a feminist, but a feminist ally. Lizbeth decided to trust him when a boy tried to mansplain menstruation during that freshman gender studies class, and Dr. Bennett had promptly told the student to shut up. He was a tall, sturdy black man who wore thick black glasses and a greying beard. He routinely dressed in tailored three-piece suits.
“Hi Dr. Bennett,” Lizbeth said and stopped so he could catch up.
“How has your first week of classes been?”
“Fantastic.”
“And your sorority obligations?”
“Much smoother than expected. I was pleasantly surprised that Lydia stepped up and did an amazing job planning all the events. She and Jane made a good team and I didn’t have to worry about anything.”
“I’m glad you have been able to bring the team together. I know you were concerned about Lydia.”
“Well, I spent some time in the restaurant this summer trying to get an idea of how chefs lead a team.”
“I can only imagine how illuminating that was. Did you only watch your father or did you visit your grandfather also?” Dr. Bennett asked.
Lizbeth’s father and grandfather were both chefs, but had different ways of leading their kitchens. While her father was calm and organized, her grandfather throve on chaos and aggression.
“I’ve seen my grandfather’s kitchen leadership plenty of times.”
“Are you going to be working in the library this year?” Dr. Bennett asked.
Lizbeth could tell he had an agenda in his mind. This was her fourth year learning from him. She had experienced his method of sounding out anxiety and stress many times.
“Yes, I’m working in the library. I have that trip to Paris for Spring Break that I’m saving for. Plus, there are sorority expenses and such. I have plenty to take on between the sorority, the job, and the thesis.”
“I saw your thesis proposal and it was well done. You had a strong literature review and I think you can accomplish your research this semester. I have some notes, but consider this your official approval to move forward.”
“Thank you! Will you be upset if I had started the research over the summer?” Lizbeth asked.
Dr. Bennett laughed as they walked into the building and the classroom.
“I suspect most of the work has been done since I have been reading papers from you about this topic for years. Let’s talk after class about some things I want you to consider before moving forward.”
Lizbeth smiled and selected a seat in the front row. As she settled herself, she saw another student sit down next to her. She turned to see Wil looking as if he had always been sitting right next to her. Lizbeth hadn’t seen Wil since the party the week before. Today, she noted, he was wearing slim grey slacks with a white polo shirt with a pair of black Chucks. On his wrist was an Apple Watch with a leather strap. She looked up to his face and their eyes met.
“Lizbeth, I didn’t realize you were in this class,” Wil said.
He looked flustered and Lizbeth felt the pull of her anger.
“I’m a communications major focusing on gender studies,” Lizbeth said.
“Ah, then it makes sense that you would be in this class.”
Lizbeth took a deep breath and contemplated her response.
“I didn’t expect you to take this class,” she said.
“I will eventually run my family’s business. Understanding how people communicate is important. I also need to fill a number of electives.”
“Good to know you care.”
The snark just slipped out, but Wil didn’t take the bait. Lizbeth managed not to say another word to Wil through class. It was easy since most of the hour was spent going over the syllabus, assignments, and dealing with the basics. One boy in the back of the class kept asking for clarification on the simplest elements of the syllabus and asking the stupidest questions Lizbeth had ever heard.
“Yes, in the back!” Dr. Bennett said at this man’s tenth question in as many minutes.
“Yes, Professor, do you have any objections to us getting the textbooks from the library? Textbooks can be quite expensive and I’d like to minimize the cost. This is an elective for me and I feel less of a financial priority than the classes in my major. I believe the-”
“Yes,” Dr. Bennett interrupted. “If the library is able to get a copy of the book for you, then you are free to take advantage of that service.”
This wasn’t the last question. Lizbeth resisted the urge to look back and encourage her classmate.
“For fuck’s sake,” Wil said under his breath when yet another question came a minute later.
The simple review of the syllabus ended up taking the entire session. Once Professor Bennett dismissed them, Wil quickly grabbed his stuff and made his way to the door. Lizbeth waited so she could continue talking with Dr. Bennett.
“Are you in a rush?” Dr. Bennett asked as they walked out.
“I have an hour before I need to be at the library for my shift and I need to get lunch.”
“Good, I’m walking that way too. Let’s grab something to eat. I have some things we need to talk about.”
The pair made their way through the crowded campus. Navigating the campus between classes didn’t allow for much conversation as they dodged and moved around other people walking in different directions. There were freshmen wandering around, lost and anxious about getting to their classes on time. They didn’t try to talk until they were both sitting with their lunches.
“What did you think of class today?” Dr. Bennett asked Lizbeth.
“Well, the syllabus sounds exciting. I like that this is more than interpersonal communication between men and women.”
“You have an objection, don’t you?”
“It’s not my place to say anything.”
“Fair enough, but I have two favors to ask. I’m pretty sure You’ll be happy to do one, but not the other.”
“Oh, I’m happy to help.”
“First, I want you to lead the class on Sexism, Communication and Web-based Communities at the end of the semester.”
“Are we all giving presentations?”
“I may ask a few others, but I know I want you to do one. It would give you a chance to see how you like teaching. You may want to consider a career as an academic.”
“I’m happy to do it. It would be good experience.”
“Great! My second request is that you watch out for another student and tutor him.”
“Tutor another student?” Lizbeth asked worried that he would ask her to tutor Wil.
“Yes, I saw you roll your eyes a few times when he asked his questions today. His name is Colin Collins and he just switched majors from engineering to business. He has asked for you, specifically, as a tutor, and given me permission to explain his situation. His father died last year and it was a difficult year for him. His mentor has been guiding him.”
“Why did he ask for me?”
“That’s a very good question and one that I don’t have an answer to,” Dr. Bennett said.
Lizbeth wasn’t sure what to say about this. Tutoring another student would be good experience, but this Colin guy had quickly proven to be annoying.
“Can I think about the second one? I’ll let you know before class starts on Monday, but it may be too much for me to take on with the sorority.”
“I expected that and it’s fine. Just let me know your decision before class begins and don’t feel obligated to say yes.”
***
Lizbeth thought about the tutoring opportunity for the rest of the day. She spent her evening in the basement study room with her textbooks, creating her schedule for the next week. She loved working in the study room. It was generally where the sisters did their own studying, but there were computers and large ta
bles so they could do virtually any work there. Right now, just a few sisters lingered before going out to study groups and meetings for the night. It was quiet, just what Lizbeth needed.
“Lizbeth, we have been looking for you everywhere,” Jane said, walking into the room.
Caroline trailed behind her. Lizbeth couldn’t help but compare the two women. Caroline was going for an elegant look with skinny black slacks and a white sleeveless blouse. Petite Jane was far prettier in a black ruffled skirt and a white tank top. Jane wore her white-blond hair in a short pixie cut. Her wide hazel eyes stood out against jet-black eyelashes. Today she looked like a fairy next to the tall and severe Caroline.
“Caroline has transferred into our French class,” Jane said, sitting down at Lizbeth’s table.
Lizbeth and Jane had a French culture class together this semester. Both, being fluent French speakers, were promised a spot on the spring break trip to Paris with French majors. Lizbeth and Jane had started reading the books required for the class.
“I didn’t know you spoke French,” Caroline said to Lizbeth.
“I spoke French before I spoke English. My paternal grandparents are French and refused to speak to us in English until I was five. Why are you taking this class?”
“I’m a French major and this was the last open section. When you grow up in New Orleans you learn a lot about French culture. Well, our version of French culture.”
“It will be so exciting to have a class with two of my sisters!” Jane said.
Lizbeth was pleased that Jane and Caroline seemed to be getting along. Jane and Charlie had been spending a lot of time together. Lizbeth knew that Jane needed to impress Caroline to have a real chance with Charlie. Lizbeth just couldn’t shake a feeling that Caroline was insincere and calculating. She wondered what had made Caroline decide to join this chapter of Phi Alpha Pi if she was worried about their reputation. Caroline was being kind to Jane now, but Lizbeth worried that she would turn on Jane if Charlie’s interests changed.
Jane and Caroline sat with Lizbeth and they talked about the class and what they expected. They agreed to work together on group projects if there were any. They talked about the possibility of going to Paris together on spring break. They were busy talking about their dream vacations to France when Mrs. C walked in. Mrs. C was a woman living in a different era. She clearly wanted to look like Donna Reed, but that style didn’t suit her body. While a woman like Caroline could have pulled off a wide hoop skirt with tulle under it, the dress just didn’t look right on the older woman. Mrs. C’s hair reminded Lizbeth of her grandmother’s; it had been set in rollers and then teased onto a dome.
