Christy frowned.
“I’ll explain later,” I chuckled.
“Don’t listen to him,” Nikki told her. To me, “Will you help? We could really use you.”
“Of course.” I glanced at Christy. “Okay if we skip modern dance practice?”
She nodded reluctantly. “Will you tell Terri?”
“Yeah.”
“Cool, thanks,” Nikki said. Then she smiled at Christy. “I’m’a get back to work.”
“Okay,” Christy said. “I’ll be right with you.”
“Take your time.”
Christy turned to me, and her look of confusion returned. “What was that about? ‘The patriarchy’?”
“Men. In general.”
“Oh. Right.” Her brow furrowed again. “What about them?”
“Nikki’s rebelling against society and the male-dominated patriarchy.”
“Is that one of your weird science fiction things?”
I laughed. “No, it’s the real world.”
“Now I think you’re teasing me. I need to get back to work.” She stretched up for a kiss. “I love you. And I’ll see you later. Now go.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide a smile as she turned away.
* * *
I finished my own project while Christy was working on the molds. And on Wednesday I gathered my drawings and models. I visited Professor Joska during office hours to review everything. He quizzed me on several of my design changes, but the questions were mostly to confirm that I’d thought things through. He eventually nodded and sat back.
“Excellent work, Mr. Hughes.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Is there a reason you’re this far ahead of schedule? No, let me guess. Miss Carmichael needs your help with her own project. I understand she has three pieces this time. A series on time and beauty?”
“Yes, sir.” He was a lot better informed than I thought he’d be. He must have been keeping tabs on Christy too. Huh.
“She’s very talented.” He paused and considered his next words. “Do you mind a personal question?”
“No, go ahead.”
“Do you, perhaps, see yourself with her in the future?”
“I think so. I hope so. Why?”
“I believe she is good for you. You are more disciplined, more focused. More creative, too. You are perhaps more tired, but we discussed that.”
“Yeah,” I chuckled. “And now do you understand why I was willing to give up my free time to make her happy?”
“I believe so,” he said. “I also believe this is one of your greatest strengths, your ability to sacrifice in the short term in order to achieve more in the long term.”
“Thank you, sir. That means a lot, especially from you.”
“Just so,” he said with a nod. “Now, was there anything else you wanted to discuss?”
“No, sir.”
“Then I must prepare for class.”
“Terrorizing first-year students?”
“Yes. One of the perks of the job.”
* * *
Siobhan joined us on Thursday evening for the final casting. She and Christy weighed the marble dust and added polyester resin from a big barrel of the stuff. Then they measured a small amount of catalyst into each bucket. Zoah and Lily mixed them. I hauled them to the boxes and hoisted them up to Nikki, who carefully poured them into the molds.
The whole process took several hours. It was tedious work, and especially exhausting for me, but we felt an enormous sense of accomplishment when the final bucket went into the last mold.
“I’m ready for a beer,” Nikki said. “You buyin’, boss-man?”
“How come I’m the boss whenever you want something?”
“I’m exacting payment for years of oppression.”
“What! I never oppressed you.”
“Your gender did. Now, are you buyin’ or not?”
“Of course I am,” I said. “But I’m not going to make it easy for you.”
“Typical agent of the patriarchy.”
“Yes,” Christy said, “but he’s my agent, and I happen to like him.”
“I’d question your loyalty to your gender,” Nikki said, “but I’m too tired.”
“Oh, Goddess,” Zoah said, “I know what you mean. I’m bushed. But you guys have fun without me. I’m going home.”
“Raise a glass for me,” Siobhan agreed.
After a little more cleanup, the girls and I headed down to the Old College Inn. The place wasn’t very busy, so we grabbed an empty booth. Miranda had the night off, but another bartender sent over a pitcher of beer. We only finished one before Nikki yawned and looked at her watch.
“Time for me to go. Y’all have a nice night.” She tossed her chin at Christy. “Give them seventy-two hours to cure completely.” She glanced at me.
“Got it,” I said. “Over the weekend.”
“Right. We’ll unbox them Monday and get to work.”
“Thank you,” Christy said. She automatically leaned over.
Nikki kissed her cheek and left with an exhausted wave.
“She’s… weird,” Lily said. “I like her, though. I never thought I would. I mean, someone like her…”
“People are people,” I said. “Some’re punks, some’re preps, but most of ’em are nice enough once you get to know ’em.”
“Wow, that’s really profound.”
“Mmm.” I glanced at Christy. “You ready to head home?”
“Not really. But I suppose we should.”
“We’ll walk you to the dorm,” I said to Lily.
“Um…,” Christy ventured, “can we…?”
I raised an eyebrow with a question.
Please?
All I really wanted was to go home and to bed. I’d been up since dawn and spent the evening hauling and lifting buckets, almost half a ton.
I’ll make it worth your while, Christy added with a look. I promise.
We have class tomorrow. Early.
You can go late. Please, please, please.
Lily watched the silent conversation and laughed nervously. “You’re like my parents.”
“Yeah, sorry.” I adjusted my attitude and said, “Let’s celebrate. Would you like to come back to our place? We—”
“Sure!”
“—have plenty… Oh. Okay,” I finished lamely.
Christy hit me with a mind control ray, in the form of a desperately hopeful look.
“And since it’s late already,” I told Lily, “you’re welcome to spend the night. We—”
“I’d love to!”
“—have a spare bedroom. Okay. Well, that was easy.”
* * *
The house was dark and quiet when we arrived. At first I thought Trip and Wren had gone to bed early, but then I found a note on the kitchen table.
Needed a break. Gone to see a band. Don’t wait up for us. - Trip
“What’s that?” Christy asked.
I told her.
“So it’s just the three of us?” Lily said.
“Yeah. Small party. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, it’s cool.”
“Whiskey?” I asked. “Wine? Beer?”
“I’ll drink anything,” she said. “Whiskey’s fine.”
“A good Catholic. Three whiskeys, coming up.”
“Thank you,” Christy said. “C’mon, Lily, I’ll show you to your room.”
The girls headed upstairs while I poured the drinks. I made mine half water. Then I wondered what we were doing. Lily was fun to hang out with, but she was living for the moment, a party girl.
But she’s a party girl with big tits and a nice ass, the little head said. And don’t forget her smile!
Yeah, she’s cute, I agreed. But she’s more than just tits ’n’ ass. She’s a person. You know, with actual feelings. Besides, she’s a kid. Nineteen!
Who cares? She’s legal. You aren’t going to marry her. You’re just going to fuck her. Why do you have to make everything so complicated?
Yeah, maybe you’re right.
I’m sorry, what’d you say?