The Summer of Consent

by Jayne Marlowe

  Maybe he was paranoid, but as he stirred his coffee to get it to cool down, he could’ve sworn that they were giving him furtive glances, but the sunlight from the windows obscured his view, and the fact that he couldn’t speak French made it impossible to understand their conversation.

  Then he heard the word “Romeo” and tried not to react. They could have been easily talking about Romeo and Juliet. He knew from his students that the French translation of the classic was part of the advanced curriculum.

  He took a sip of his coffee. It burned his throat as it went down, but he forced himself not to react. He couldn’t dismiss the idea that the burn he now felt would be nothing compared to Jill if she made good on her threat and started her campaign to ruin his career and Gloria’s reputation.

  By the time Gloria dragged herself home, she felt drained of everything—energy, emotion, empathy—none of it was there. All she wanted to do was melt into her bed and wake up only when her strength and survival instincts kicked in. But that wasn’t about to happen. Her room, the one place on earth where she was sheltered from everything and everybody, was going through an upheaval as she got her things ready for her move.

  The university had sent an orientation pack and in it was a recommended packing list. Gloria remembered what the dorm rooms looked like when taking the tour with Michael and Robyn not long after graduation, and she had taken pictures with her phone so she’d have a visual reference.

  Granted, after having her own room her entire life, now she would have to share the room with another girl and the jack-and-jill bathroom with the room next door, but taking the good with the bad—that’s life. She’s had to deal with worse, and Michael had promised her that if things went well the first year, he’d help her get into an apartment if she wanted one.

  “At least you can tell your kids and grandkids what to expect when living in a dorm,” he’d teased.

  Gloria was surprised Michael could envision her with children, let alone grandchildren, because her dream to become a child advocate never included her being a mother herself.

  That vision could always change.

  Gloria had beat a quick retreat from the office as soon as 4:30 struck. Nate was still in the classroom speaking to some students and didn’t see her leave, so she was just in time to catch the bus.

  When she stepped inside the house, both Michael and Robyn were home. They were taking a few days off to spend time together before the small construction company Robyn worked for started a big contract. To make things even better, the welding company that employed Michael would also be working on the contract.

  Through her weariness, Gloria couldn’t help but smile when she saw the two of them in their favorite room, the kitchen, and the scent of chocolate chip cookies filled the air.

  “Is that you, Glo-bug?” Robyn called.

  “No, it’s a hold up! Gimme all your cookies!”

  Some of Gloria’s energy returned at the thought of fresh cookies. She dumped her bag on the nearest chair and made a beeline to the cooling rack on the counter and picked up three.

  “Whoa, girl!” Michael teased. “Don’t spoil your dinner. I’m gonna grill some steaks in a little bit.”

  “Oooh, goody!” Gloria managed between munches. Michael slayed on the grill, and if ever she had to pick her last meal, it would be one of his steaks. “I’ll have plenty of room, don’t you worry.”

  “I’m glad you’re home early, Glo,” Robyn said as she scooped cookies off the baking sheet and placed them on the cooling rack. “There’s a sale going on at Bed Bath & Beyond so I was thinking we can get those towels we were looking at.”

  “OK. Then, can we go to Macy’s? I need to get something to wear.”

  “Sure. Anything in particular?”

  Gloria shrugged and went to get her a glass and some milk. “Not really. Just something different. Going to the movies Friday night.”

  “Really?” Robyn was now scooping more dough on the baking sheet. “What are you and Nate going to see?”

  “I’m not going with Nate.”

  You could have heard a pin drop.

  “I see,” Robyn continued, trying to sound nonchalant. “Who are you going with?”

  “A guy named Rory Stewart.” Gloria hated dramatics, but there was no reason to try and dance around the issue.

  “Oh...,” was her reply.

  Michael was a bit more straightforward. “Did you and Nate have a fight?”

  Again, Gloria shrugged, and when she looked up to see the scowl on Michael’s face, she immediately stiffened her spine, on the defensive and ready for a fight. But it was the ever-calm Robyn, with her superpower of detecting tension between the siblings, who spoke up first.

  “I’m sure whatever it is about, Mike, that Gloria can handle it.” She threw a pointed look at Gloria. “Can’t ’cha?”

  She nodded, pressing her lips in a thin line. Robyn nodded too, and Michael, conceding defeat, deflated his stance and went to take the steaks out of the fridge and placed them on the counter.

  “I’ll get started on these in about an hour,” he said. “I need to buy some more charcoal.”

  As he grabbed his keys and headed toward the garage, Robyn turned to Gloria.

  “I meant what I said, Glo. I’m sure you can handle whatever it is between you and Nate, but if you need to talk—”

  “He still wishes that Brittany had accepted the job,” Gloria blurted, her voice wavering a bit. “He even admits that it’s possible that he would’ve had an affair with her if she had.”

  Robyn stared at her, dumbstruck, until she finally managed to say, “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  Gloria didn’t tell him what Nate had called her. She didn’t want to admit to her brother’s fiancée that she had been so stupid as well as gullible. Robyn sighed and shook her head.

  “I’m sorry, Glo. Nate was such a nice guy, but I guess he was just a predator after all.”

  Her use of the word “predator” didn’t sit right with Gloria. Nate wasn’t a predator, he just gave in to temptation, and before she knew it, she was defending him.

  “His giving in to temptation doesn’t make him any better, Gloria.” Robyn picked up her dough-filled spoons and resumed making cookies. “He’s an adult in a sea of impressionable, vulnerable kids. It’s his job—no, his duty—to rise above such feelings. If he can’t handle it, maybe he shouldn’t be teaching.”

  “You make it sound like he’s done this before.”

  “I’m just going from what you said, Gloria.” Robyn looked at the sliding glass door that led to the backyard and the garage. “It’s a good thing Michael didn’t hear this, and I recommend that you say nothing to him about it.”

  At least Gloria could agree with Robyn on that point.

  “Maybe I...,” Gloria began but her voice trailed. She picked up a pencil lying on the counter and fiddled with it.

  “Maybe what?”

  “Maybe I overreacted,” she admitted and threw down the pencil.

  “How so?”

  “He—” Gloria didn’t know how to put it in words. “Robyn, Nate’s never done this before. I know. He’s told me...and I believe him.”

  “So, what’s all this stuff about Brittany being in your place?”

  “I don’t know.” Gloria hated how her voice took on a whiney sound. “I guess, when you think about it...in a ‘what if’ sort of situation...anything’s possible.”

  “Yes.” Robyn nodded. “Anything’s possible if you want to consider infinite possibilities, every cause having a reaction and all that jazz. But, Gloria, are you saying that you know for a fact that Nate could—or would—toss you over if he had a chance of getting with this Brittany chick?”

  There, Gloria was stumped. She knew the answer, but couldn’t bring herself to say it. When she looked up to see Robyn studying her, Gloria suspected that Robyn knew it too. Gloria mumbled and Robyn cocked her head.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”


  “He said I was his type,” Gloria repeated, grabbing for the pencil she threw away. “He said that I was responsible and reliable...mature. More his type.”

  “I see...and from what I’ve heard about this Brittany girl, she doesn’t act that way. Does she?”

  Gloria shook her head and the realization that she had completely and utterly fucked up really settled in. She used her jealousy of Brittany as an excuse to lash out at Nate, who had more than lived up to Gloria’s dreams and expectations.

  She was living a fantasy just as much as he was, and if she was honest with herself, if she thought she could have reached the same conclusion by openly, consciously seducing him—she would have. As it turns out, she had just been herself...and had won him over anyway.

  Tears started to flow. Oh, how she hated how weepy she’d become lately!

  “Oh, Glo-bug.” Robyn came around the kitchen island and pulled Gloria into a hug.

  “I’m alright, Rob.”

  “Shh, I know, sweetie. I know.” Robyn pulled back so she could look Gloria in the face. “Is there any chance that you could patch it up?”

  Gloria gave a hollow laugh. “I doubt it. Not long after our fight, Rory came in and asked me out right in front of him.”

  Robyn’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, really? How did Nate take that?”

  “Oh, he was fine with it! Practically gave us his blessing.” She frowned. “Bastard.”

  “Why? Don’t you want to go out with this Rory dude?”

  Gloria shrugged. “He’s cute enough. Nice...Smart.”

  “Not to mention closer to your age.” Robyn sighed at the scowl Gloria gave. “It has to be said, Gloria. I’m sure you’ve thought about what’s going to happen in less than a month when you have to go off for school. You both have.”

  Gloria pursed her lips together, not wanting to think about how right, once again, Robyn was. Nate had never said so out loud, but there were times when Gloria would catch him looking at her in a way she couldn’t really describe. A mixture of happy and sad—the way you might look at something rare that was here one moment and gone the next.

  “Actually,” Robyn began, going back to her cookies, “and I don’t want you to take this the wrong way...but Nate may see this as a lucky break. Better it happen now than later because it’s gonna happen anyway when you leave.”

  Gloria sighed, not entirely convinced, but what was done was done. A fait accompli.

  “Well, I think the best thing for it is for you and Rory to go out and have a good time. You’re young, Gloria, and Nate is your first—I repeat, your first—real boyfriend. Not your last. It’s apparent that once guys know you’re available, there’ll be someone waiting.” When Gloria’s expression didn’t brighten, she added. “Don’t let it get you down. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that he’s going to be jealous knowing you’re out having fun with another guy.”

  “Possibly,” Gloria conceded.

  She did warm to the idea of going out with Rory—as a friend—and since she didn’t do much socializing in school, it was a chance to be a part of a group for once instead of out on the fringe.

  “Definitely. After we eat, we’ll go out and get you an outfit to show off the new Glo-bug! Social Butterfly!”

  Gloria laughed despite herself. “Butterfly nothing.” She did a diva hair flip. “I’m now a social queen bee.”

  Gloria stood in the living room, slapping her handbag against her thigh nervously as she waited for Rory to arrive. Luckily, Michael and Robyn had their own plans for the evening and were already gone, sparing Gloria even more discomfort as they watched her wait for another man to take her out.

  Well...not a man...a boy.

  She rolled her eyes. She needed to stop thinking that way. Rory was now eighteen, same as her, and for all intents and purposes considered an adult in their state...even if they still couldn’t drink alcohol or smoke.

  Her lips twisted in a rueful smile. Out of everything else Nate had done to let her know she was a grown woman, one thing he refused to do was supply her with alcohol or tobacco. Not that she wanted them, anyway. Yet, in her new outfit, she probably could pass for twenty-one.

  “God, is it any wonder why we’re so fucked up? All these arbitrary rules about age and maturity....”

  She began to pace the room. Arbitrary or not, if she wanted to be a child advocate attorney one day, she needed to get her mind and attitude with the program. She looked at the clock. Ten to seven. She was early, which was good because she didn’t want to risk holding everyone up. It’s not like she’d be late from work.

  She shook her head. No, she didn’t want to think about work or how she and Nate barely looked or spoke to each other until he finally let her leave at three o’clock. She didn’t protest or try to get ahead for Monday. She simply got her bag and left for the bus stop.

  When she got home, she washed her hair and prepared to soak in a warm bath. She wanted to be completely rested and relaxed for the evening ahead. Then she put on skinny jeans, a tank top, a matching bolero jacket that emphasized all her curves, and espadrille wedge sandals to accentuate her stacked and packed physique. Not too dressy, not too casual. Overall, she was feeling pretty good about herself—all things considered.

  “You’re gonna have fun tonight, Gloria,” she had promised herself as she put on her makeup. “You will.”

  But the more she waited, the more anxious she got. She had eaten a small snack of cheese and crackers since they were going out to eat after the movie, but now she only hoped that the cheese and her nerves didn’t start to upset her stomach.

  The doorbell ringing stopped anymore foolish thoughts about being sick or chickening out. She took two deep breaths and the doorbell rang again. Now she wouldn’t appear like she’d been waiting by the door for his arrival.

  She opened the door and smiled at Rory, looking all handsome in jeans and a button-down shirt and his wavy hair stylishly slicked back...but staring at her like a deer in headlights.

  “Hi, Rory. What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head and closed his mouth. “Nothing. Damn, Gloria...you look nice.”

  She couldn’t help but blush—immediately—at the comment. “Surprised you, did I?”

  “Yes. I mean, no! Wait—I—You always look nice. It’s just that I’ve never seen you so...casual...?”

  Gloria gave a throaty chuckle at his hesitant tone and turned to lock the door. She threw him a sultry look over her shoulder. From the set of his jaw and the intense look in his eyes, his expression had changed from surprised to eager and aroused, with perhaps a touch of nervousness.

  If these past months with Nate had taught her anything, it had taught her how to read a man, and she had slowly come to appreciate—and test—her feminine charms against the masculine ego. Since things between her and Nate had cooled, trying out some new moves on a new man seemed to be in order, even if her heart wasn’t entirely in it.

  Rory offered her his arm and escorted her to a shiny, red Ford Fiesta.

  “Is this your car?”

  “Yes. Got it on my sixteenth birthday.”

  Gloria bristled for a moment and hoped he didn’t notice. The only thing her parents got for her for her sixteenth birthday was a cupcake and a one-dollar lottery ticket. Michael lived out of state at the time, but he did manage to get a card to her. She assumed it had some cash in it, but the envelope she received had been opened. She suspected that’s what her parents used to get her gifts—and it was confirmed a few days later when Michael called to ask if she received the twenty dollars he’d sent.

  She let out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. No matter what she may try to tell herself, she will always be different from Rory, Brittany, and their circle.

  As Rory drove them downtown and into the art district, she couldn’t help but compare him with Nate. First and foremost was Rory’s choice in music. Gloria actually recognized the songs and the singers whereas Nate’s choices, more often than not, needed expl
anation. Not that she minded...she actually enjoyed the musical education.

  The next biggest difference was driving style.

  Gloria wouldn’t call Nate an old man when it came to driving, but he was definitely more cautious than Rory who didn’t think twice about putting his foot down to speed past someone he thought was going too slow. She already had to hold on to her armrest three times.

  The Rialto Theatre was located in the downtown arts district in the middle of the block, surrounded on either side by former retail stores that were now various art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. The theatre sported a giant sign with neon lettering and a marquee, all relics from the 1950s when the theatre originally opened.

  Rory parked the car in the paid parking lot a few blocks away. Gloria was surprised at the way he casually grabbed her hand as they walked down the sidewalk, like they’d been dating for ages.

  “You don’t mind, do you, Gloria?” he said with a smile, raising an eyebrow.

  “Oh, no.” She returned his smile. “I don’t bite.”

  “Too bad.”

  She was about to ask him what he meant, but they were at the corner and he tugged her along so they could make it across the street before the light changed. By the time they arrived at the theatre, there was a line of people waiting to buy tickets at the outside ticket window. Rory waved to a small group of kids huddled by the curb and Gloria noticed Brittany standing amongst them.

  “Hey, guys,” Rory called out.

  The group let out a friendly cheer, but when Gloria felt their eyes upon her, they all got quiet. Panic set in.

  Oh my God...don’t tell me he didn’t let them know I was coming!

  She threw a look over to Rory, but he was all calm. In fact, he gave her hand a squeeze.

  “You all know Gloria Goodman, right?” he said.

  They all mumbled polite “hellos.” The guys, Justin and Alan, each held out a hand to shake. Both of them were quite tall, but Alan was heavier.

  “I remember you,” Alan said. “You were in my history class last year with Ms. Albright.”