Do it While You Can Part 5

“So, Chapter 5 guys. We’ve got to study this. Damon’s tests are a bitch. Did you do section one Rob?” James asked his friend, as they sat down at the café, preparing to study. Two other friends were  there with him. Frank and Logan. “I hate math man. Only taking it ‘cause it’s part of my prerequisites for business.”

“I know. Why the hell didn’t the college fire Damon?”

“He’s on tenure. Also, colleges hire based on research. They don’t give a shit about teaching.”

“Not true!” a voice snapped behind him. James turned around, and found Brenda, back facing him, sipping her coffee. “That is no way to look at your professors.”

“Who the hell is that?” Logan asked.

“His girlfriend, that’s who.” Brenda said sharply.

“Uh, Brenda?” James asked.

“I’m sorry. Were you talking to me?” Brenda said, turning around.

“Uh, yes Brenda. I was…” James laughed nervously.

“You’re dating her? Dude, she’s like…fuckin’ 40 years old.” Frank commented.

“I don’t know what she’s talking about. She’s my guidance counselor?”

“Dude, we have the same guidance counselor. It’s Mr. Thompson. Remember?” Rob said sarcastically.

“Well I switched.”

“There are only three, and you can only have the other two if your last na-“

“Okay, fine! You got me! Can we just…get out of here.”

“Uh…no. we have to study.” Logan said, turning back to the book.

“Fine, then I’m leaving.” James got up, took a swig from his mug of coffee, slammed it back down and hurried towards the door. He heard Brenda in the background, clip-clopping behind him. He quickened his pace.

“James…wait.” She said. James kept walking, towards his car. “James!” she said. “I need to talk-“ she hurried forward, and finally grabbed his shoulder turning him around. James was furious. His breathing was heavy, and his eyebrows were furrowed.

“What?” he groaned.

“What’s the matter with you? Why did you act like you didn’t know me?”

“I didn’t act like that. I told them I knew you.”

“But still. Maybe an invitation over to the table. Maybe a ‘hey guys, this is my new girlfriend’”

“Whoa, girlfriend?”

“Yeah. Girlfriend. After last night I thought-“

“Look Brenda. How old are you…really.”

“24.”

“Really. Tell me, I won’t get mad.”

Brenda sighed.

“18.” She said.

“Brenda!” James snapped.

“Okay, fine. I’m 70 years old.” She said, looking down. “Hey, even if it isn’t a date. Can I at least tutor you on your math? Maybe?”

“No thanks. I can do it myself.”

“No you can’t!” Brenda yelled.

“Yes I can!”

“Give me your notebook.”

She got me. All my derivatives were wrong. She got so mad, she spat on some of the pages.

“Ugh!” Brenda yelled, and spat a huge glob of spit on to his notes. “What is this shit?! Do you even pay attention in class?” she demanded.

“What’s it matter to you?”

“Because I care…I used to be a math professor. I know Damon. He’s an awful professor. I know that. Let me help.”

James sighed, and shifted from one foot to the other, looking back into the café. His friends’ faces were plastered up against the window, as they watched the dialogue in awe.

“Fine. But ONLY tutoring!”

“One on one?”

“Maybe.”

“Can we go back inside?”

She taught it to us. Some differential calculus. I have to admit, I learned way more in those 30 minutes than I did in the 3 hour lecture in Professor Damon’s class. Maybe it was the perfume. It had to be…