friday
Liz has dark circles under her eyes as she comes into the kitchen. The sink is full of unwashed dishes which she stacks neatly on the counter, then rinses her favorite mug under running water. A glimpse of the crud encrusted on the tea towel hanging on the stove makes her opt to let the mug air dry.
The coffee carafe gets the same treatment before Liz rummages in the cupboard looking for the tin. She pulls it down and squints at the contents. No way.
Liz squeezes her eyes closed, but when she opens them again nothing has changed. There’s barely enough coffee for a weak pot. A small pot. Scooping the coffee into the filter she decides maybe there’s enough for eight wimpy cups. Liz adds a dash of salt, then slides the filter basket in and pours the water through. Waiting, she stretches like a cat, then begins doing a few warm-ups.
Touching her toes she is startled to see the shadow of a person stretching across the floor between her legs. At the realization that she’s not alone Liz straightens up abruptly and whirls around to see Ethan leaned up against the door frame with a huge grin on his face.
“You don’t have to stop on my account,” he raises his eyebrows rakishly.
“Don’t sneak up in me like that,” she snaps.
His face falls. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, I just wanted to walk you to class.”
“You didn’t scare me, you startled me is all.” She turns to pour herself a cup of coffee, then opens the refrigerator. No milk. No half and half. Resigned, she gets the powdered stuff out, chisels off a chunk off and plops it in her cup. “You didn’t used to walk me to class.”
“You didn’t used to be my girlfriend. I mean, ” he pauses, watching Liz stir her coffee, not looking at him.
Ethan asks, “You are my girlfriend, aren’t you?”
Liz sips her coffee, then turns to face him. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I want a boyfriend. Lets just say we’re dating, okay?”
“Uh, I’m not quite sure I see the difference. I always thought dating is what makes people girlfriends or boyfriends.”
“Look, I’m sorry Ethan. It’s been a little rough lately.”
“Yeah, I know that Liz. I’ve been here too, remember.”
“Yes you have, and you’ve been great.”
“But.” supplies Ethan quietly.
She nods. “But I don’t know. I don’t really think …” she looks at the bereft expression on his face and softens a little.
“Look. I don’t know if I’m ready. I like you a lot,” she looks down modestly, not quite able to meet his eyes, “No guy has ever made me feel like you do. But I don’t know that I’m ready, or even if I want to be anybody’s ‘girlfriend.’ There’s implied ownership.”
“I don’t want to own anybody, Liz, I want to be with you.”
“Then what’s with this walking to class stuff? It’s like you don’t think I can take care of myself.”
“You know what they said. Until they catch that guy nobody is supposed to be going anywhere on their own.”
“Nobody isn’t what they mean, or what you mean, either. It’s just women. Put women in a cage instead of the predator and our menfolk protect us. Maybe we should wear burqahs too. I don’t want to live in protective custody.”
Ethan stops a moment, furrowed brow, thinking. “We live in the same residence, we’re go to a lot of the same places. It makes sense for us to go together.”
“But It doesn’t, Ethan. It might make sense for me to buddy up with Jake, or Natasha. But you’re a T.A. so you’re always in class way before and much later than me.”
“Sometimes yeah, but not all the time.”
“I’m an adult. I’m used to taking care of myself.”
“Liz. forget the rapist a minute. It’s not about him, it’s about me and you. I want to spend time with you, even if only walking to class. But I guess you’d rather not be seen with me.”
“It’s not that at all.” She steps closer and slides her arms around his neck. “I’m used to being on my own. My problem here isn’t the course work, it’s the people everywhere. All the time. On campus, in class, out shooting, where I live, in the shower for god’s sake. I need alone time, not a boyfriend to boss or a babysit me.”
“Boyfriends don’t have to be bossy.” Liz can’t help but melt into the moment as Ethan pulls her down into a lingering kiss. Coming up for air he adds, “I’d be honored for the opportunity to join you in the shower anytime.”
Liz can’t help but giggle and the nuzzling resumes on a much friendlier note, even beginning to get hot and heavy until ostentatious throat clearing from the doorway breaks the clinch. Liz looks embarrassed, turning self consciously to the counter stirring her cold coffee while Ethan treats Maggie to a goofy grin.
“Hey Maggie. We’re going to be heading to class in a few minutes. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Thanks, but my classes don’t start ’til eleven. I’ll head over then with Mouse and Amelia.” Pouring herself a tumbler of grapefruit juice Maggie can’t resist adding, “Besides, looks like you’ve got the buddy system figured out.”
