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Authors: Annabel Monaghan
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really easygoing.”
“You’re the only person I know from L.A., and you don’t seem that easygoing.”
“No kidding.”
He laughed, and I opted to change the subject rather than delve into exactly how easygoing I am not. “That could have been a really ugly scene in there. Thanks for helping me get her out. I could have let you finish the song, but I was losing my grip on her.”
“She’s the one losing her grip. It’s got to be hard having a relationship like that blow up and then still having to see each other all the time.”
“I think it’s hard having a relationship blow up no matter where you are.”
So far we had been in the safe side-by-side walking position that lends itself to a free flow of words without any pesky eye contact, followed by a side-by-side bench sit that also allowed us to watch the dog or our shoes. But now he looked at me, straight on. “Don’t you have a boyfriend? The guy who was visiting that night?”
“Did. I haven’t seen him since then.”
“Oh. Sorry. What happened?”
“It’s complicated.”
Bass laughed and went to grab Buddy by the leash and bring him closer to us. “Complicated either means that you don’t want to talk about it or you don’t understand it.”
“Both.”
“Where does he live?”
“New York.”
“That would be tough, anyway.”
“That’s what I keep hearing.” Not only did I not want to think about John; I also did not want to rehash the ins and outs of why he may have broken up with me. Or whatever. “These days the only guy I’m interested in is Professor Halsey.”
“That’s unsettling.”
“He’s all I think about.”
“He’s eighty.”
“I’m from L.A. I have an open mind.”
I’M HAVING ANOTHER “IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME” MOMENT
T WO NIGHTS LATER I GOT TO meet Professor Halsey in person. It was Saturday night, and I dressed up like I was going on a date: new sweater, hair blown dry, lip gloss. Insane, I know. Danny had come to visit for the weekend but had a shockingly low amount of interest in nanoscience. The official reason for his visit was to check out Boston University, where my parents hoped he’d be accepted for the fall. But in the thirty-six hours since he arrived, he’d made no move to see the campus. I’d invited him to the lecture, but he’d declined, instead holding court with a bunch of girls on the main quad, roasting marshmallows on a hibachi and strumming his ukulele. All in a grass skirt and snow boots, of course. The girls thought he was adorable, and the setting sun and freezing temperatures didn’t seem to bother them a bit. I had a feeling Danny was going to like college.
Professor Halsey was speaking at Building 4 about his hopes for expanding the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research by publishing his recent studies on nanotechnology. Bass had the honor of introducing him and somehow managed to do so with dignity while wearing a T-shirt that said I HAVE CDO. IT’S LIKE OCD BUT ALL THE LETTERS ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER LIKE THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE. Let’s face it: If I could wear T-shirts with words, I would totally wear that one.
The fourteen audience members clapped at the end of the lecture. Only one of us actually stood up and cheered. All eyes were on me as I quickly sat back down and pretended to fish around in my bag. Everyone got up and approached the snack table and helped themselves to the small plate of Pepperidge Farm cookies and the gallon of iced tea. Whoever was in charge of snacks knew not to expect a big crowd.
I positioned myself between the podium and the table, so that Professor Halsey would have no choice but to acknowledge me if he wanted a Mint Milano. He looked down as he lumbered over with his cane, scanning the auditorium floor for unexpected hurdles. I weighed the risk of breaking his concentration by addressing him against the risk of losing my opportunity. All I could think of doing was spilling my whole plate of
“You’re the only person I know from L.A., and you don’t seem that easygoing.”
“No kidding.”
He laughed, and I opted to change the subject rather than delve into exactly how easygoing I am not. “That could have been a really ugly scene in there. Thanks for helping me get her out. I could have let you finish the song, but I was losing my grip on her.”
“She’s the one losing her grip. It’s got to be hard having a relationship like that blow up and then still having to see each other all the time.”
“I think it’s hard having a relationship blow up no matter where you are.”
So far we had been in the safe side-by-side walking position that lends itself to a free flow of words without any pesky eye contact, followed by a side-by-side bench sit that also allowed us to watch the dog or our shoes. But now he looked at me, straight on. “Don’t you have a boyfriend? The guy who was visiting that night?”
“Did. I haven’t seen him since then.”
“Oh. Sorry. What happened?”
“It’s complicated.”
Bass laughed and went to grab Buddy by the leash and bring him closer to us. “Complicated either means that you don’t want to talk about it or you don’t understand it.”
“Both.”
“Where does he live?”
“New York.”
“That would be tough, anyway.”
“That’s what I keep hearing.” Not only did I not want to think about John; I also did not want to rehash the ins and outs of why he may have broken up with me. Or whatever. “These days the only guy I’m interested in is Professor Halsey.”
“That’s unsettling.”
“He’s all I think about.”
“He’s eighty.”
“I’m from L.A. I have an open mind.”
I’M HAVING ANOTHER “IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME” MOMENT
T WO NIGHTS LATER I GOT TO meet Professor Halsey in person. It was Saturday night, and I dressed up like I was going on a date: new sweater, hair blown dry, lip gloss. Insane, I know. Danny had come to visit for the weekend but had a shockingly low amount of interest in nanoscience. The official reason for his visit was to check out Boston University, where my parents hoped he’d be accepted for the fall. But in the thirty-six hours since he arrived, he’d made no move to see the campus. I’d invited him to the lecture, but he’d declined, instead holding court with a bunch of girls on the main quad, roasting marshmallows on a hibachi and strumming his ukulele. All in a grass skirt and snow boots, of course. The girls thought he was adorable, and the setting sun and freezing temperatures didn’t seem to bother them a bit. I had a feeling Danny was going to like college.
Professor Halsey was speaking at Building 4 about his hopes for expanding the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research by publishing his recent studies on nanotechnology. Bass had the honor of introducing him and somehow managed to do so with dignity while wearing a T-shirt that said I HAVE CDO. IT’S LIKE OCD BUT ALL THE LETTERS ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER LIKE THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE. Let’s face it: If I could wear T-shirts with words, I would totally wear that one.
The fourteen audience members clapped at the end of the lecture. Only one of us actually stood up and cheered. All eyes were on me as I quickly sat back down and pretended to fish around in my bag. Everyone got up and approached the snack table and helped themselves to the small plate of Pepperidge Farm cookies and the gallon of iced tea. Whoever was in charge of snacks knew not to expect a big crowd.
I positioned myself between the podium and the table, so that Professor Halsey would have no choice but to acknowledge me if he wanted a Mint Milano. He looked down as he lumbered over with his cane, scanning the auditorium floor for unexpected hurdles. I weighed the risk of breaking his concentration by addressing him against the risk of losing my opportunity. All I could think of doing was spilling my whole plate of
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