This is why I had to have a plan. I did not go steady in High School, I did not want some boy to cloud my judgment. I had watched so many of my friend’s let their grades slip. Not to mention they also allowed their IQ’s to slip as they would act almost juvenile around their one and only. Fortunately I was spared from a great deal of this silliness by entering College early. I did date some in College but I never stayed with anyone for long. My academic work was far too important. I suspected that some of my friends from back then had a pool going as to just when I was going to lose my virginity.

I hope they lost their shirts. I finally did the deed and gave up my virginity in Grad school. I wasn’t in love, I just wanted to get it over with. Plus I was curious as to just what it was that everyone was talking about. I was horribly disappointed. I still do not understand just what about it that is suppose to be so great? Maybe I am just one of those women who do not have orgasms. It really doesn’t matter.

I have Peter now and he is perfect. I could never understand why relationships could be so traumatic for everyone else? To me it is very simple. You find the person that you are the most compatible with and this the man you should marry. Of course getting married right away is a mistake. I have seen the happiest of couples in college rush right into marriage only to become disillusioned a few years down the road. Peter and I were going to live together for a while before getting married. We had already cohabitated on and off when one of us was in between apartments. Peter has suggested that we make it more permanent. But I am head strong knowing that the time was not right then. Now was the right time. I finally had the right job and once Peter relocated we could start our lives together.

It is all really quite simple when you sit down and think about these things logically. There were only a few distractions in my past but they were silly really. I was young and each time I had been drinking. Besides it was never more than kissing and they had been women. I knew that would never happen again. It was curiosity nothing more. What I need to do now was find the perfect apartment.

So why was I putting it off again so I could go play tennis with Allison? I just wish that I could beat her once. Normally I can muster up a respectable game. But playing against Allison was intimidating. It was her hands. I can never seem to take my eyes off of her hands. They were so strong. Then there was her back. She always wore a tank top when we played. This only served to accent her broad tanned shoulders. If I could just focus on my game this time I know I could finally win.

I was jolted from my thoughts by the eruption of laughter. Allison’s class was out of control. “How does she do it?” “Okay …” Allison instructed them bringing order back to her class. “For next time. The Brady Bunch and Gilligan’s Island. I want you to tell me your favorite Brady then have five of your friends name theirs. Also explain to me why the Professor could build a nuclear reactor from two coconuts but could not fix the hole in the damn boat. Kidding on that one. I want you to think of an episode any episode that reflected the events that happened while the show was on the air. Now it is a beautiful day outside so get out of here, so I can enjoy it.”

I watched as the students reluctantly left their seats. I usually needed to wake my students after one of my lectures. Allison finally forced the last of her students out the door as she approached me.

“Gilligan’s Island?” I questioned her suspiciously.

“It’s a trick.” She chuckled. “How many African Americans do recall seeing on that show? How is it that it aired during the Vietnam War and the war was never mentioned? The media’s use of escapism. They think that they are going to have an easy lecture comparing Ginger to MaryAnn but what they are really going to be doing is talking about what was happening in this country. The pilot for the show was delayed because of JFK’s assassination that alone should get the ball rolling. This is the MTV generation if they don’t see it on Nick at Nite then it didn’t happen.”

“And the Brady Bunch?” I pushed suddenly intrigued by her theories.

“Don’t knock the Brady’s.” She teased. “They managed to slip in a few social issues. Besides your favorite Brady can reveal a great deal about your personality.”

“Really?” This I had to hear.

“It’s true.” She responded brimming with over confidence.

“I don’t believe you.” I teased in return.

“Your favorite Brady was Jan.” She returned in a cocky manner.

“Yes!” I was stunned. “How did you … lucky guess.”

“It is simple really.” Allison’s over confidence could really be annoying and yet somehow down right adorable. “Jan was the middle child often overlooked an outsider. She didn’t bother with attracting boys the way Marcia did. She just tried to fit in. The only person in the family she was close to was Alice … an older women who felt the same way.”

“I still do not understand how did you know that I …” I felt an uneasiness. How could Allison know that I felt like an outsider? “You will have to explain this theory of yours over tennis.”

“Some other time.” She answered in a serious tone.

“Are you canceling?” I was more than a little disappointed. I could only hope that my voice did not betray how truly hurt I was. Of course I knew that I was being silly. After all classes would start soon and I know I had a great deal of work to do. “So why am I upset that Allison has other plans?”

“No.” Allison smiled back at me. “You are.”

“I am?”

“Have you found an apartment yet?” She questioned me.

“No.” Now I was intrigued.

“Stephanie classes start in two days and you cannot work out of that motel that you are staying in. Taking a taxi every day must be adding up.” She began to explain. “There is a very small and I mean very small apartment that has just opened up in my building. It is not much but it will do for a semester and it is a five minute walk from campus.”

I was overwhelmed by her friendship. Without thinking I jumped up and hugged her. She gently pushed me away. Somehow her reaction left me feeling cold and confused. I couldn’t look at her, I ran my hand through my short blonde hair and stared at my shoes. “So does that mean you would like to see the apartment?” She said softly. I looked up and was captured by those baby blue eyes and her bright smile. “A girl could get lost in those eyes. What am I saying anyone would get lost in those eyes. Hell Barney Frank’s heart would probably skip a beat. Whoa! Get a hold of yourself Stephanie. She is a woman. You have Peter. So why is my heart racing. It is the apartment … yeah that’s it the apartment. Think about baseball … the Red Sox …baseball …baseball …they could did it this year if Pedro’s pitching remains consistent… . and if … .”

“Stephanie?” Her deep voice called me back from my wanderings.

“Sorry.” I awoke tearing my gaze away from her. My God I was staring!

“Are you all right?” She said softly.

“I’m fine.” I answered firmly as I dispelled the thoughts that were about to break through. “I was just thinking about the Red Sox.”

“The Red Sox?” Allison answered in puzzlement. Then with a shrug she seemed to accept my lame explanation. “Yeah too bad they didn’t make it to the play offs this year. So … did you want to see the apartment?”

“Yes.” I felt my composure returning as I brushed away the thoughts of what may have transpired moments ago.

As we walked away from the sprawling campus I noticed that Allison was strangely quiet. Something about her silence disturbed me. Never having been one to just let things lay, I decided to break the ice. “So tell me why you and Stan don’t get along?” I asked trying to make conversation.

“He didn’t like my T-shirt.” She answered plainly.

“Well Stan is very old fashioned.” I added knowing that there had to be more to their on going feud than Allison choice in clothing. I also wanted to keep the conversation going, even though it was more than apparent that Allison did not. “I mean jeans and Tshirts are not his style. After all he is Mr. Bow tie.”

“It was what it said.” Allison stated simply without explaining it further.

“Oh.” I answered in confusion. I desperately wanted to keep the conversation going. There was something so painful about her silence. “And just what did your t-shirt say that started a battle between you and Stan?” Allison did not appear to be forth coming with any more details. So I decided that it was time for a new tactic. There was an issue that I needed to air and now was a good of time as any. “Allison … wait.” I said suddenly stopping her in her tracks. I was thankful that she had stopped her long legs was making it more than difficult for me to keep up. “I have something to tell you.” She stared at me deeply with a startled look that could only be described as fear.

“Whoa.” I gasped wondering what I did to cause this strange reaction from my new friend. “What’s with the look? You would think that I was about to tell that your favorite pet died.”

“Cheep Cheep?” She gasped in mock terror.

I playfully swatted her on the arm and received the trademark Allison Kendell raised eyebrow in return. I laughed at her attempt to intimidate me with her glare. Granted ten years ago that look scared the bee Jesus out of me. “Allison.” I shot back with a glare of my own.

“Nice try.” She smirked. “But it needs work. So what did you want to tell me?”

“Allison we have met before.”

“You mean … ” She looked at me strangely as she spoke. ” … like in a past life? Are you from LA.?” She began to laugh.