“Paul, dear… five brothers? And a father? All military? I’ve heard just about every dick joke there is.”
“Ah, right.” I paused and then asked, “So, what do you want to do?”
“About what? Terri?”
“Do you want me to stop seeing her?”
She bolted upright. “No, of course not. Why would I want that?”
“I dunno. I just thought…”
“No, I want you to seduce her. How can you turn her bi if you stop seeing her?”
“You’re a determined little thing, I’ll give you that.”
“I am. And I’m used to getting what I want.”
“Heaven help anyone who tries to stop you.”
“Mmm,” she mused. “Only, now I have to figure out how to do it.”
“Well, you have a few months.”
“You could call her now. I bet she’s still awake.” She closed her eyes and imagined it. “She’s probably playing with herself. She uses a dildo. Did I tell you that? I wonder if she’d let me use it on her.” She pouted. “Why can’t real life be more like Penthouse? All the women in the letters are bi, and they love it when another woman joins them.”
“I don’t think the letters are real. Besides, bi women are pretty rare.”
“They’re more common than you think,” she insisted. “Only, they have to hide it. Most guys aren’t like you.”
“Fair enough.” I wasn’t sure Terri was one of them, but it wasn’t worth an argument.
“Oh, fine, Mr. Skeptic,” Christy said. “You may be right.”
“About what?”
“About Terri. Not being one of them.”
“How’d—?”
“Paul, dear, you get this look when you disagree but don’t want to argue.”
I chuckled. “Guilty as charged.”
“Still, I want to try. Well, I want you to try. Maybe on—”
“Maybe on what?”
“Oh, nothing. Only, I don’t want to wait till the end of the summer.”
“You might have to.”
“You may be right,” she said with a sigh. “I don’t think one time will do it. At least I’m patient.”
“You are not!” I laughed.
“I am too. When I want something this much. Look how long I waited for you.”
“True.”
“I always knew you’d come around, even though it took you long enough.”
“And you think Terri will too?”
“Eventually. Only… I don’t know,” she admitted. “I always knew with you. I could feel it. Besides, you were different. I didn’t have to convince you. Terri isn’t like that, is she? She’s… normal.”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
She thought about it and shrugged. “That’s okay. I like a challenge.”
“It’s a pretty big one.”
“I don’t care. The bigger, the better. Mmm, speaking of bigger and better…” She eyed my limp manhood, and her eyes flashed with determination. “Do you think you can come again? So soon?”
“I dunno,” I hedged.
“Mmm, I bet you can. C’mere, Mr. Big. I think better with something in my mouth. And I’m sorry about my stupid gag reflex. At least I know how to get around it. Just relax and let me do all the work.”
* * *
Christy had her portfolio review the following day. As expected, it was a formality, a box that needed to be checked before she could graduate.
In my life, Joska’s exam was the only one I really worried about. I knew the material by heart, but it was still thirty percent of my final grade. On a whim—and to keep myself from obsessing over the exam—I wrote a note before class and dropped it on Gracie’s desk as I walked past.
You’re an amazing designer. One day I’m going to tell people I went to school with you. And whatever happens in the class standings, no matter who’s first, you’re still the best. Good luck.
She read it and stared into space for a long, heart-rending moment. Then she took out a pen and wrote a reply. She refolded the note and passed it down the row.
Thanks. You too.
I smiled to myself and felt better about the world. At least, I did until Freddie invaded my little island of self-congratulation.
“Ay, paisan!” He slid into his desk. “What’re we s’posed to bring to this party on Wednesday?”
“Freddie!” Rosemary cried. “It’s a surprise party!”
“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Fuggedaboutit. So, what’re we s’posed to bring?”
“It’s okay,” I told Rosemary, “I knew already. Christy isn’t good at keeping secrets.”
“As long as it wasn’t Freddie who gave it away,” she said.
“No. As for what to bring, whatever you want to drink. Maybe something besides sambuca. Sorry. I know it’s Italian, but…”
“It’s disgusting,” Rosemary agreed.
Freddie looked mortally offended.
“Is there anything special you want instead?” she asked me.
“I dunno. Sorry. Maybe a bottle of whiskey?”
“Ay, now you’re talkin’!” Freddie said. “You got it.”
Professor Joska swept into the room. “Please take your seats,” he said. “We will begin. Today’s exam will consist of three parts…”
* * *
I ran into Nikki afterward, although she actually stopped me.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, sorry. I just finished my design exam. I’m still a little high. On adrenaline,” I added quickly.
She looked into my eyes. “Are you sure that’s all?”
“Positive,” I chuckled. “I don’t do drugs.”
“Maybe you should try. They take the edge off.”
“Not my scene,” I said. “I’m high on life.”
“Whatever.”
“Hey, as long as I ran into you… What’re you doing Wednesday night?”
“Nothing. Why?”
“Christy’s having a little surprise party. It’s my birthday—”
“Oh, cool. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks. Anyway, I’m sure—”
“Hold on,” she interrupted again. “If it’s a surprise party, how’d you know about it? Never mind. She can’t keep a secret to save her life.”
“She can,” I said, “but not when she’s excited. And not about something like this.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, about this party?” She looked at her watch. “I don’t have all afternoon.”
“Wednesday evening, seven o’clock, our house. You know where it is?” I gave her the address. “Bring your guy friend,” I added. “Or a lady friend.”
She gave me a quizzical look. “Why d’you care who’s between my legs?”
“Normal human curiosity.”
“Well, it isn’t gonna be you.”
I laughed. “No. Besides, you aren’t my type.”
“What? ’Cause I’m not a girly-girl like Lily?”
“No, I like you well enough. And you’re actually very pretty. You try to hide it with your hair and piercings and makeup—”
“I’m not hiding anything!” she objected. “I like the way I look. Besides, I don’t do it for you or anyone else in the male-dom—”
“I got it! I got it! Truce,” I said in a calmer voice. “Sorry. I said that wrong. You know I’m on your side.” I looked at her steadily, until she nodded. “You aren’t my type because you aren’t interested.”
“What? In guys?”
“No, in me.”
She frowned warily.
“You aren’t interested in me,” I repeated. “Specifically.”
“No.”
“So… I’m not interested in you. Not as anything but a friend.”
“For real?”
“For real.” I chuckled at a thought. “I’d probably become interested, real quick, if you do decide you like me.”
“Why’s that?”
“Like I said, you’re pretty. And interesting. And… you probably realized this, but I don’t go for traditional girly-girls like Lily.”
“I thought you liked her,” she said. “By the way, what happened to her? I haven’t seen her in… a week?”
“Long story,” I said. “And I probably won’t tell you.”