“I didn’t know you were taking that class.”
“Mm-hmm. It’s my last year here. I’m nearly done with degree requirements. So, I thought I’d have a little fun. See what the fuss is about.”
“It’s Professor Radclyffe’s class?”
“Mm-hmm,” Doris said again, only this time the Mm was more pronounced. Like the sound one might make when biting into molten chocolate cake.
“You’re awful.”
“I’m honest. That man…” Doris leaned away and fanned herself. Talia put her tea down and stood, looking for something to do other than allow her mind to think about things. She closed her email and forced her thoughts elsewhere.
“So, a book club?” Talia smoothed her pencil skirt into place. It was the same one from yesterday, but paired with a belted tunic, it looked different enough to not be noticed. “What’s the book?”
“Fear of Flying by Erica Jong.”
“I know that title.”
“Yeah, you do.” Doris waggled her brow like it was something naughty.
“I can’t place it.”
“It was the nineteen-seventies version of Fifty Shades. And we both know how much you loved that book.”
“Stop it,” Talia whispered, fearing she might be shamed for devouring such a novel. She was supposed to be serious and scholarly now. Right?
“It’s okay. Let your inner freak flag fly, girl. Zero judgment here. If you like the whips and chains so much, who knows what else this book might bring to light for you?” Doris followed at Talia’s heels when she leapt from her seat and scurried down a nearby row of books. She didn’t know where she was going other than away from her desk so they wouldn’t be overheard. Because loving a popular novel about BDSM wasn’t exactly preferred reading in the world of refined literary fiction.
“If I agree to join your club, can we talk about this later?” Talia pulled her friend closer, whispering like it mattered, once she felt they were far enough away from prying ears. “Students will never take me seriously if they still see me as a peer,” Talia pleaded to her friend. They were separated by only a year in school. Which only further proved Talia’s insecurities in her mind.
“Of course. I’m sorry.” Doris’s demeanor softened when she saw the earnestness behind Talia’s pleading. “I should’ve realized not to talk so loudly. I’m just really excited about the book. Professor Radclyffe is challenging us. He doesn’t want us to feel like we have to hide our sexual curiosity. There’s no shame in openly expressing what you want or like. But for some reason, so many women are still trapped by the idea that there is.”
“It’s fine, Doris. Really.” Talia took a deep breath and squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’m just struggling to find my place here. I feel like everyone still sees me as a student. Not to mention I look like I’m ten years old, too.”
“You’re doing great. And you are different but that’s why they hired you. They want new ideas. They want you.” Doris stopped, thinking. She pulled away and took a better look at her friend. “And you could totally pass for twelve.”
Talia rolled her eyes but leaned into the one-armed hug her friend offered.
“Thank you.” Talia took a deep breath and turned back for her desk. “Send me the info on your club. I might know someone else who wants to join.” Maybe Emily would be interested. While Talia had a network at Talmadge, Emily was brand new. “Are you working with me this morning?” Talia thought over her notes for the day. She didn’t remember having access to an intern.
“No, Mrs. McTavish is swamped. She has me helping with freshman library orientation stuff.”
“Oh. Well, let’s grab a cup of tea or something this afternoon.”
“Sure. I’ll shoot you a text later. Oh, and happy Founder’s Day, by the way.”
“That’s today?”
“Yep.”
“But the gala isn’t today.”
“No, the gala is in three weeks. Apparently, the faculty advisor has been preoccupied with her pregnancy and forgot to secure a location. So, it got delayed.”
“Huh…” Talia made a small noise that stayed in the back of her throat. That must be who Maxwell was filling in for. Three weeks. Was that all? Talia had worked the gala with food services as an undergrad. One of her many jobs. Which made her think.
The minute Doris left, Talia pulled up her mailbox, opened the message from Lorena, and hit Reply.
Dear Lorena,
I’d be happy to assist Professor Radclyffe with the gala. I’m very familiar with the event, having worked it just last year. Please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Talia
Chapter 5
Talia
“This is nothing like what I used before.” The student frowned at the screen, blowing her bangs from her eyes. She paused and slid her fingers back onto the keyboard, lightly drumming with her nails as she thought.
“I agree, Ellie. It’s not an intuitive system. Like a lot of things on campus, it needs a reboot.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” Ellie shook her head and huffed at her bangs again.
“How so?”
“I wasn’t doing so well at my last school. My parents insisted I transfer here so they could keep an eye on me. I mean, an all-girls school? It’s bad enough to be back in my old bedroom.” She folded her hands over her chest and slumped against the chair.
“Um…” Talia stalled, thinking. She could give a rote answer or a real one. “Yeah, it does suck.”
Ellie’s head whipped toward her, shock slackening her face. Talia leaned into the small open space beside the computer.
“There are a hundred scientific studies I could pull out right now about how female brains develop differently in the absence of males or how the process of learning to learn is more important than what you learn. But at the end of the day, that always sounded like a bunch of bullshit to me, if I’m being honest.”
Ellie’s mouth dropped open. Encouraged, Talia continued.
“You know how I got through?” Talia asked.
Her head shook quickly.
“I told myself it was a job. From nine to five, I was a student. After that, I was whatever I wanted to be. It’s just reality.”