had together. Now come on, all is fair in love and war. Everyone knows that. It would be different if they were married. But they’re not. For the love of Pete, they haven’t even known each other for more than a year. And engagements are called off every day. I think I remember hearing somewhere that it happens to over twenty percent of all engagements.”
Liz could tell that her lecture was having sway. And that’s probably why a spark of victory fell in her eyes when she said, “I’m game. What about you?”
Liz’s words cracked open the door to my memory and something Nick once said. It was during one of our first dates and he was giving me a hard time about the promise ring on my finger, given to me by Creed. “If you’re not married,” he had said, “you’re fair game in my book.” The memory infused a little drop of hope in my soul, the cloud of darkness dispelling for the briefest moment.
Liz was leaning into me, waiting for my response. “Well?”
The long-ago words tugged on my will, and with tender conviction I responded, “Game on.”
*******
As it turned out, the School of Architecture had extended banquet invitations to all the alumni faculty, including former adjunct teachers. Which meant Creed’s roommate, Peter was also invited. And since he didn’t have a date, I offered Liz as a stand in. Though at the moment I was wondering if that had been a wise move on my part, considering the effect Peter and Liz were having on my pent up and current state of anxiety.
Creed and I were in front trying to carry on a relaxing conversation, but the nonsensical debate in the backseat was compromising our efforts.
“Women all around the world are hating on you right now,” I heard Peter say to Liz.
“I’m not saying that women are inferior to men,” Liz explained. “We’re actually the superior gender. We mature faster, we have higher IQ’s, we’re cleaner, we have stronger immune systems, we live longer, and even in the womb we develop at a faster rate. Oh, and we’re born healthier too.”
“If you believe what you say, and statistics do prove most of it, why wouldn’t you want a female pilot?”
“Because along with our overabundance of superior qualities, we are emotional. And if the plane I’m on is about to crash, the pilot better suck it up, keep their wits about them, think only mechanics, and land that piece of tin safely on the ground. Between a man and a woman, a man would do a better job at that.”
“I beg to differ,” Peter stated. “First off, the dynamics of a plane are such that it can practically lands itself by gliding in. Second, I’ve known several female pilots who would keep their heads on straight during an emergency landing.”
“I feel the same way about firefighters,” Liz continued to quarrel. “If I’m asphyxiating on the top floor of a burning building, a large, strong person of the male variety better lug me over his broad shoulder and carry me to safety.”
“You are the first female male chauvinist I’ve met.”
“I’m not either. It’s common sense. Guys are naturally stronger. He could get me down the stairs and out of the building much faster. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Some girls can out bench most guys.”
“Yeah, but I couldn’t flirt with them as they’re carrying me down the stairs.”
“You’re such a girl.”
“Who will live longer than you.”
I stopped listening to them and focused on Creed. At present, Creed’s warm, comforting hand was on my shoulder. “It’ll be fun,” he reassured me. “We’re going to have a good time.”
“I know,” I said as I stopped fiddling with the edges of the jacket in my lap. I looked toward him, pasting a quick, closed-mouthed smile on my face. “I’m not nervous.”
He stroked my shoulder, glanced at me with a little smile, and then looked away.
There was no reason to be nervous with Creed and Liz there. As I saw it, a free dinner, good company, a brief
Liz could tell that her lecture was having sway. And that’s probably why a spark of victory fell in her eyes when she said, “I’m game. What about you?”
Liz’s words cracked open the door to my memory and something Nick once said. It was during one of our first dates and he was giving me a hard time about the promise ring on my finger, given to me by Creed. “If you’re not married,” he had said, “you’re fair game in my book.” The memory infused a little drop of hope in my soul, the cloud of darkness dispelling for the briefest moment.
Liz was leaning into me, waiting for my response. “Well?”
The long-ago words tugged on my will, and with tender conviction I responded, “Game on.”
*******
As it turned out, the School of Architecture had extended banquet invitations to all the alumni faculty, including former adjunct teachers. Which meant Creed’s roommate, Peter was also invited. And since he didn’t have a date, I offered Liz as a stand in. Though at the moment I was wondering if that had been a wise move on my part, considering the effect Peter and Liz were having on my pent up and current state of anxiety.
Creed and I were in front trying to carry on a relaxing conversation, but the nonsensical debate in the backseat was compromising our efforts.
“Women all around the world are hating on you right now,” I heard Peter say to Liz.
“I’m not saying that women are inferior to men,” Liz explained. “We’re actually the superior gender. We mature faster, we have higher IQ’s, we’re cleaner, we have stronger immune systems, we live longer, and even in the womb we develop at a faster rate. Oh, and we’re born healthier too.”
“If you believe what you say, and statistics do prove most of it, why wouldn’t you want a female pilot?”
“Because along with our overabundance of superior qualities, we are emotional. And if the plane I’m on is about to crash, the pilot better suck it up, keep their wits about them, think only mechanics, and land that piece of tin safely on the ground. Between a man and a woman, a man would do a better job at that.”
“I beg to differ,” Peter stated. “First off, the dynamics of a plane are such that it can practically lands itself by gliding in. Second, I’ve known several female pilots who would keep their heads on straight during an emergency landing.”
“I feel the same way about firefighters,” Liz continued to quarrel. “If I’m asphyxiating on the top floor of a burning building, a large, strong person of the male variety better lug me over his broad shoulder and carry me to safety.”
“You are the first female male chauvinist I’ve met.”
“I’m not either. It’s common sense. Guys are naturally stronger. He could get me down the stairs and out of the building much faster. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Some girls can out bench most guys.”
“Yeah, but I couldn’t flirt with them as they’re carrying me down the stairs.”
“You’re such a girl.”
“Who will live longer than you.”
I stopped listening to them and focused on Creed. At present, Creed’s warm, comforting hand was on my shoulder. “It’ll be fun,” he reassured me. “We’re going to have a good time.”
“I know,” I said as I stopped fiddling with the edges of the jacket in my lap. I looked toward him, pasting a quick, closed-mouthed smile on my face. “I’m not nervous.”
He stroked my shoulder, glanced at me with a little smile, and then looked away.
There was no reason to be nervous with Creed and Liz there. As I saw it, a free dinner, good company, a brief
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