Every single word came across as absolutely sincere and Martha blushed again. No one else had bothered to ask her about her work, they had all just headed straight for the refreshment table. She began outlining the steps of her research and Audrey listened, asking relevant questions, totally immersed in their conversation and leaving Boxford, who had trailed behind her, standing nearby fuming with frustration.
Ten minutes later Audrey had a new friend for life and a more thorough knowledge of fruit flies than she knew what do with. She rather felt like she should deliberately leave bits of fruit around to bond with the things, as clearly Martha had done. “Thank you. I’m so sorry to have monopolized you like that, but I wasn’t sure that I would be able to hear what you said when someone else asked you. I’d love to hear all about what you plan to do next.” There was a low rumble of groans across the room. “But perhaps we should get together to talk about that over lunch next week. I’m completely exhausted after lecturing four straight hours, so it will have to be on a Tuesday or Thursday. How does that work for you?” The two women settled down to compare calendars; Boxford still hovering nearby.
Rich and Marcus were leaning against a wall watching the show. Rich felt obligated to add a bit of explanation, “She’s hoping to get her schedule changed. Now the whole school knows that she’s exhausted by the routine that has been in place at least twenty years. Care to guess whether it will remain unchanged for another twenty years? And you know, she’s right; no one else has to teach their entire course load back to back like that. I bet she’s just built herself a lot of ground support because no one wants to think that it might happen to them.”
“She’s damn dangerous,” Marcus noted. “Never get on her bad side.” The two men chuckled at the idea of not being able to deal with the woman. But that reminded Marcus of something, “You’re going to have to watch the random spanks, she’s a lip biter. I got her teeth off her bottom lip just in time tonight. Would have been interesting to see how you would have explained showing up with her lip bleeding.” He raised his glass in a toast. “The foot thing was sheer genius. Every man in this room wants to be head of the History Department.”
Rich chuckled, “If it’s as bad every month as today was, I may be willing to trade.”
“I’ve heard the pill can help with that.”
“We’re colleagues!” Rich hissed. “I can’t go there. We’re stuck sharing space for at least five years. Gotta remain professional.”
“Yeah, while you tan her hide.”
Rich groaned, “I don’t know how that’s going to play out, but I am going to do my best to keep things professional. The History Department is not going to be brought down over this.”
Marcus gestured at the scene in front of them with a nod of his head. “Boxford is getting really pissed. Are you going to try to smooth that over?”
Rich shrugged, “He was obnoxiously pompous when she had her entrance interview. Now that I know that he is apparently rooting for her to be spanked, I’m going to let her handle him.”
“Maybe she’s wrong about that.”
“No. She’s right. Reviewing things now that I know what to look for, it’s easy to see. He’s hoping to make me a villain and get his rocks off at the same time he makes a fortune for the physical sciences. Women have an extra sense for spotting voyeurs, you know that.” His friend nodded in agreement.
“We’d better circulate or I’ll hear about it next time Boxford wants to make me dance. You’re joining us later for shrimp, right?”
Marcus was surprised. “I’m invited? I figured you’d want her to yourself.”
“You missed the shrimp because you were just as delayed by her antics as I was, sure you’re invited. And get over the idea that we are a couple. She is my, our, colleague.”
Shaking his head and chuckling, Marcus slapped his friend on the shoulder. “Sure, thanks. I’ll walk back with you; let me know when you’re ready to head out. Gonna go over and talk to Martha. Audrey made me realize how rude we’ve all been.”
Rich nodded and headed over to a group of some fellow squash players.
Audrey had finally decided to acknowledge Boxford. She finished making a lunch date with Martha and turned, pretending to just notice him standing nearby. “Cecil!” Again she had the attention of the room; no one dared to call the president by his first name, although now they were all wondering why. “You don’t mind me calling you that, do you?” she followed up, ingeniously. Now he would seem ridiculous if he refused her permission. “I’m having a wonderful time. I’m so glad that you insisted that Rich make sure I attended tonight.” Rich and Marcus exchanged glances, wishing that they were still standing together to discuss this new shot. “I was wondering if you might introduce me around a bit. I don’t know anyone here.” She sounded a bit reproachful, as if Boxford had been remiss.
Grinding his teeth that his planned dramatic presentation had gone so badly awry, Boxford tried for a graceful recovery. “Of course, Audrey. Come with me, my dear.”
There was a muted gasp from the women and some of the men in the room. Audrey and Martha were still standing close enough to share an eye roll (Audrey, having turned slightly away from Boxford, to hide it). Marcus saw it and shook his head at her, although most witnesses assumed he was reacting to Boxford’s words.
Rich ground his teeth, there was going to be some serious payback heading his way; no one got away with showing up the president like Audrey was doing. What part of ‘under the radar’ did she not understand?
A muscle ticking in his jaw, Boxford escorted Audrey to a nearby group and made introductions. He kept her moving throughout the room and they had made a circuit of most of the room when he was forced to excuse himself and answer a summons from a group Audrey had already met.
But before he left her, Audrey stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I want to thank you for your patience with me, Cecil,” she said quietly, attempting to mend some fences. “I know it would have been easier to present me to the faculty in a general introduction, but that would have taken the focus away from Martha, who deserves to be the center of attention tonight and I wouldn’t have known anyone. I’m sorry to have monopolized you for so long, but I really do appreciate your kindness taking me around like this. Thank you.” He nodded abruptly and moved away. Audrey turned back to the group to rejoin the conversation.
“Very pretty manners, Miss Worthington,” commented the man standing next to her, ‘George Bingle, Government’, had been how he was introduced by Boxford. “You were very deft at making him appear silly and then you turned it so that he couldn’t do anything but be gracious about it.”
She had the grace to blush. “I’m sorry for my behavior, gentlemen,” she said to the group at large. “I know it was rude, but sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do. He has put me in a position where I am powerless and he has not been at all gracious about it.” She shook her head at the looks of inquiry. “No, I’m sorry, it is a private matter I am unable to discuss. You agree that my way of meeting people was better, don’t you?” she pleaded. “Martha was standing there being ignored, even though she was standing right by the shrimp bowl.” A few of the men dropped their eyes. “I just wanted her to have her moment to shine. We all get so few opportunities in life to be honored for our hard work.”
George shook his head. “When you take away a man’s dignity, he may respond in ways that you will regret. Hamilton will undoubtedly pay for your actions tonight.”
“No!” Her hand shot out of its own volition and shoved George’s shoulder, causing him to jostle his drink. “Oh, God! I’m so sorry!” She tried to caress the hurt away and realized that it was foolish. “Please forgive me! I’ve picked up some bad mannerisms from my younger brother. I am so, so sorry!” Flustered, she stood on tiptoe and reached up to place a quick kiss on his