Blessings
by tma
"He's not going to bite, you know." Erik said, coming over and gently kissing the nape of my neck.
"That's not what I'm afraid of " I maintained.
"Alright, I promise that Eleanor will keep William in line. And I promise that there won't be any pop quizzes." He laughed. I loved his laugh. Deep and light and melodious. Just hearing it warmed my heart and made me a little less nervous.
"You just laugh because you never had to take any of his tests."
He pouted slightly. "And here I thought that I gave the worst tests in the department."
"So sorry to disappoint you." I said sticking out my tongue just slightly between my teeth.
"Well I suppose that will give me something to aspire to. Maybe I'll just have to ask William for some pointers."
Suddenly a thought occurred to me. "I... I don't have to call him that, do I?"
Again the low, soft rumble of a chuckle escaped his lips. "What? William?" he asked, drawing out and emphasizing the name.
I felt my cheeks growing warm with embarrassment. I knew that although Erik was quite a bit younger than Dr. Kennedy, that he considered him a close friend. I had gotten over most of my qualms about dating a professor. Obviously I didn't take any of Erik's classes- although that didn't stop me from asking for lecture notes from some of his classes that sounded intriguing.
But Dr. Kennedy...he had been my toughest professor. His essay questions were infamous. I studied religiously and each and every exam I thought that I was going to fail. Although I somehow was able to maintain a 3.75.
Dr. Kennedy was in his fifties and was very distinguished, and was the head of the history department. There was No way that I could casually call him "William".
But I wouldn't hurt Erik for all the world, and if he really wanted me to...
Erik began to rub my back and said, "It's ok. I know that it's intimidating. You'll be fine. Honestly. If you are yourself, you'll be brilliant."
I gave Erik a quick hug and he said, "I'll pick you up here at 5:30 on Friday, alright?"
I nodded, and noticed that Erik seemed really tired, so I came around behind him and started rubbing his shoulders. "How is the manuscript coming?"
He sighed a little; "It's coming along. I just got all my term papers read and graded, so now I can just focus on finishing things up to send to the publisher."
"I can drop off dinners, if you want." I didn't want to be pushy, but I knew that he tended to ignore basic self-care like eating properly and sleeping, etc., etc. when intent on this type of project and if I could take care of something, so much the better.
"That's very sweet of you, but I'll be fine. I really hate having to ensconce myself- but unfortunately it's the only way. I promise that I'll be all yours on Friday."
"Or at least once we're back from dinner." I countered. Then, more seriously, "I know that you've got to get this done, and I know that it will be brilliant, but... I hope that it's not too selfish of me to say this. I'm... I'm gonna miss you." I said hugging him tightly.
"And I you." Erik responded a little choked up. Then he cleared his throat, gave me another quick hug and started toward the door. "See you Friday?"
I nodded and we said our good-byes. Friday couldn't come fast enough.
"Right on time." I said, opening the door Friday evening wearing a short sleeved v-neck deep purple dress that ended an inch above the knee. It was Erik's favorite. And as he entered I saw him glance appreciatively at the dress. Then he got a dazed, far away look in his blue eyes.
I was puzzled, until I noticed the bouquet that Erik pulled out from behind his back and handed to me.
"Fahhh... ahem for you. EiShuh...Chuh...Eishuh... heeeeh...chmpt." He said, turning away and sneezing into a handkerchief.
I shook my head and chuckled, "What are you doing?"
"Well... I neee... needed something beautiful for such a beauty. EiShuh.. heh... Ishoo... Chmpt...excmpt. Cuse me." Those came a little stronger and he shook his head.
I ran and put the flowers into some water in the kitchen. Coming back I gave him a hug and said, "They're gorgeous. But I still think that you are crazy. Are you Trying to aggravate your allergies?" I managed to question, although truth be told, I adored the gesture and as long as he wasn't suffering too badly I secretly enjoyed the little allergic sneezes. Just strong enough to toss his head forwards and tousle his chestnut hair.
That brought a hint of pink to the tips of his ears- always the first to give a hint to his embarrassment.
Erik cleared his throat. "I... I'm sorry."
I shook my head, "No apologies. They were beautiful and the gesture was lovely. Just looking out for you, alright?"
He nodded slowly, "Let's get going." I noticed that his voice seemed a little rough but I chalked it up to the combination of allergies, embarrassment and tiredness.
We arrived at the house and Erik seemed to pause briefly with a fist held to his mouth. Then he exited the car and we rang the bell.
A tall, graceful woman in her late 40s greeted us warmly. "Erik, its been far too long." And gave him a quick hug. "And this must be Theresa." She said with a smile.
I simply nodded my head; "You have a lovely home." I said admiring the simple and tasteful décor.
Her smile broadened, "Thank you."
At that moment Dr. Kennedy strolled up and shook Erik's hand. "Eleanor, why don't you show Theresa the garden. I know that you've been dying to show off your new rose bushes."
Her blue-gray eyes sparkled even as she flashed her husband a look for teasing her.
"Would you mind a tour? Ignore my husband. I really Don't foist them on people."
"I'd love a tour." I exclaimed enthusiastically. "I have to confess before hand that I know next to nothing about plants. But I really enjoy a beautiful garden." Then I remembered Erik and looked over at him, biting my lip slightly.
"Don't worry. William will keep him company." Eleanor supplied.
Erik absently rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Here I thought that I was finally going to be invited back there. You disappoint me."
She chuckled. "Nice try, but I know that you were hoping to corner William into an impromptu review of your last few chapters and this gives you a graceful exit."
Erik wrinkled his nose as if the idea was absurd. But then. "Huh..Retchoo... Etchoo... heh...EiTcoo.. exchmpt." He had turned suddenly and sneezed into the crook of his arm, while his other hand pulled out a handkerchief in which he managed to stifle the last sneeze.
"Bless." I said.
I noticed the puzzled look in Dr. Kennedy's eyes.
Erik blushed and murmured, "Excuse me."
"All right?" I questioned in a hushed tone, not wanting to embarrass him further.
In a regular tone he answered, "I'm fine. Evidently all this talk about the garden was getting to me." And then he winked.
I rolled my eyes at the remark as Dr. Kennedy ushered Erik off to the den.
Those didn't sound like his allergic sneezes. Although I obviously couldn't quite say that without seeming like I complete nutcase. Obviously I didn't mind playing nurse. It was just that resting tending to be a much better plan to get over illness than going over manuscripts "one last time".
But as I wasn't certain and didn't want to make a fuss in front of our hosts, I let it drop.
Eleanor was justifiably proud of her garden. It was breathtaking. It had just the perfect combination of manicured and natural. I couldn't tell precisely what types of flowers were in it. But the effect was lovely and I longed to sit out there on a blanket under a tree.
After the tour we came back in and sat down to dinner. Erik was to my right, Eleanor to my left, and Dr. Kennedy directly across from me.
Just before we ate Erik excused himself and headed for the bathroom. After a bit he came out, and I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but his nostrils looked a little pink and his eyes seemed tired. Although with having had a tough week the cause was difficult to ascertain.
The conversation wasn't nearly as difficult as I had thought that it would be. Eleanor was a perfect compliment to her husband. The perfect hostess who seemed to effortlessly keep her husband in check and keep everyone comfortable.
I am afraid that I did allow myself to be distracted by soft little sniffs and throat clearings coming from my right.
After dinner Dr. Kennedy looked over at Erik and asked, "So, how was Theresa's cooking?"
I had no idea where that question came from but it was quite apparent that I was the only one that didn't get the connection (since obviously I hadn't cooked dinner that evening). Eleanor looked wryly amused and Erik's ears had turned a dull red.
He was clearly taken off guard, and tried to gain himself some time by clearing his throat and giving his nose a quick scrub with the knuckle of his right forefinger.
"Sh-she's an ex-excellent cook." He said, shooting Dr. Kennedy a look.
Meanwhile, I glanced questioningly over at Erik. Obviously I was the only person out of the loop and I didn't intend to let things stay that way.
"I'm certainly glad that you think so." I said with a deceptively sweet smile. "But why the sudden interest?"
A slight choking sound escaped Erik's lips- so I pressed on. "In fact, I don't remember the last thing that I made for you." At that Erik started coughing violently. Bullseye.
I went over to him and patted him on the back. "Refresh my memory." I said, rubbing his shoulders with a wicked smile.
"Yes." Murmured Dr. Kennedy. "For as much as we've heard about it the past week..." and let the sentence trail off.
This past week. The "ensconced" week. The week that he couldn't see me or let me bring him dinner? They had heard from him during That week? I was starting to put the pieces together and was feeling a cross between amusement and annoyance.
I looked over at Erik in time to see him give a slight shudder just before giving into a series of sneezes. "heeeh..Eichoo... EiShoo..huhReTch oo...chmpt." The last was stifled with another brief shudder.
He cleared his throat and mumbled a husky "Excuse me." As a blush began to stain his cheeks.
The annoyance that I had previously felt started to melt away. He was obviously sick and needed to get home. The grilling could easily commence another time, but now was not the time for it.
I stood up and made a move towards the doorway. "Well this has been a lovely evening, but I'm afraid that we have to be leaving."
Erik opened his mouth to protest, "I'm sorry, but..."
I swiftly interceded, "Your hospitality was wonderful but unfortunately I forgot this when I scheduled an early morning tutoring session. Cursed morning people. Erik, you really don't need to apologize to the Kennedy's on my behalf. It's my fault for not remembering. And seeing as how we are among friends; some things are understood."
Eleanor nodded and smiled giving us both quick hugs and wishes us well.
Dr. Kennedy shot Eleanor a glance and seemed to give me an assessing look.
"William will get your coats. Why don't you follow him, Theresa? Erik, I want to give you the mission safely caring home some leftovers."
"Will there be pie included?" Erik queried.
"Of course. That's why I'm sending William away. You can take a bigger slice." She said with a smile.
I walked with Dr. Kennedy to the front hall closet.
"Well played young lady."
"What?" Then I noticed the gleam in his eyes. He knew what I had been about. "Thank you sir."
"You must forgive us old men with our academic pursuits, we often tend to forget that while trying not to bore or impose on others that we sometimes shut the door a bit too tightly."
I nodded. "It's alright. Erik is very fortunate to have good advice and wise counsel."
Dr. Kennedy automatically helped me into my coat and I was about to take the other when he said, "You know, he was So very eager to show you off tonight. You are a credit to him."
Wow! Tears started to pick at the corners of my eyes. That was all that I had dreamed of hearing, but never thought that I would. I swallowed and whispered, "Thank you sir."
Theresa meets Dr. Kennedy (from "Tiptoe through the Tulips") in a different setting. And she is trying to fit in, in her new role as Erik's girlfriend. Was previously posted on SFF. I made a couple Slight changes. I was thinking about actually Ending this story here and going on to tell another story that would connect. Would Love feedback about this- and about the story in general. Thanks!