Awakenings: The Greek, The Russian and Me

Chapter 23

Cass went by fast today, and I find myself on the lookout as I exit the building, unsure if Conn has class on Tuesday while secretly praying to every saint in heaven imploring that I not run into him. I make it to my car, which I now park in the other lot located on the other side of the building, and just sit there for a few moments. Starting the car, I check the time on the dashboard and head toward the coffee shop. I find a parking spot around the corner and pull in. As I walk to the coffee shop, I ask myself if I should confess to Pete and ask for his help. My mind has been trying to find a way out of this mess, and I don't see a way out.

Walking into the coffee shop, I see Pete ringing up a costumer; then he greets me with a smile. Thank heavens it's not too busy, and Mr. Papadopoulos and Hellen are still there finishing their morning shift. I greet them with a smile and walk toward Pete as I fasten my apron. "Pete, do you have a minute? I really need some advice and some help," I say imploringly.

He looks at me with concern and then says some- thing to his dad in Greek as he grabs two coffees and two jelly doughnuts and heads to a table toward the back of the store. "Whatever it is, it can't be that bad, but coffee and a doughnut will always make it better," he says with a smile. I smile back at him as I wrap my hands around the coffee cup and gaze down at it. "What is it, Fran? You know you can tell me anything," he says in a gentle tone.

Taking a deep breath, I look up and say, "You re- member a Greek guy who you sometimes saw me with on campus? The one that sits at the Greek table with dark, curly hair and dark eyes?"

He frowns at me as he replies, "Yes, that would be Conn. Why?"

I take a sip of coffee. "Well, we have been sort of going out but not. It's hard to explain. We went out on a couple of dates, but he never said I was his girlfriend or dating him. In fact, now that I think about it, we never even held hands while on campus, which I always found very strange. Well, you know I've never really dated anyone, so being asked out by someone like him was thrilling. He's really the first guy who ever kissed me, and, well, a little more than that." My face feels as hot as the coffee.

"Are you pregnant?" he says in an escalated tone.

"No, Pete! God no, I'm not! But you were right when you warned me about those Greek guys that come over just to study. I'm sure they are not all the same, but Conn was exactly what you described. Even though some deep part of me thinks that he has feelings for me, he won't verbalize them," I say as I feel my eyes sting.

"So what is the problem then?" he asks matter-of-factly.

"Well, first, let me thank you for the birthday party and for inviting Erik," I say, smiling.

"Fran, you are glowing now. Did you sleep with him too?" he asks, amused.

I put my hands on my cheeks and giggle nervously. "Well, it wasn't exactly like that. He had asked me to be his girlfriend in the past when we kissed, but I said no, as I had feelings for Conn. But after the birthday party, he took me home, and you know my mom wasn't home, and I was lonely. So we ended up going to his place, and I spent the weekend there until Monday morning," I say breathlessly as I bite into the doughnut.

"Wow! I never figured you to be a harlot," he says, chuckling.

I stare at him incredulously. "I'm not a harlot!" I say indignantly.

"Calm down; I'm just playing with you. It's about time you got laid, and Erik certainly seems like he can get the job done," he says with a hearty laugh.

I giggle. "Well, yes, he can. It was amazing. Honestly, they both were, but with Erik it was more lovemaking than just having sex."

"So I guess I'm not seeing the problem. You're with Erik now, aren't you?"

I take a deep breath. "Yes. There lies the problem. I have feelings for Conn but know it's not going anywhere. A part of me is really angry that it got as far as it did. He has asked me to take him to the airport after finals next week, but I know that if I pick him up, I will end up in bed with him again. He makes me crazy, and I find it hard to say no when he is close to me. I haven't replied to his phone calls and have been doing my best to not run into him at school. I really like Erik, and we have so much in common. I don't want to be unfaithful in any way. Erik is amazing in every way, and when I'm with him, I feel complete."

He's looking at me attentively; then, taking a deep breath, he says, "It seems pretty simple. Just tell Conn you can't take him to the airport, and if he approaches you in school, just ignore him. He won't make a scene, since he doesn't want to acknowledge that he dated you. If Erik is amazing, I suggest you be honest with him. I don't mean confess what happened with Conn, but you can say he has pursued you in the past and now wants you to give him a ride. Honesty is the best policy—note that I said honesty, not full disclosure."

I look at him, grinning. "It's a great idea about avoid- ing Conn, but he is not easy to deal with. Last time I tried to express my displeasure, we ended up in a stairwell with my skirt up to my waist," I say.

A look of shock and amusement overtakes Pete's face, and he's speechless for a moment, making me giggle nervously. Then, regaining his composure, he says, "Well, I could tell him at school that you asked me to take him to the airport, since you have some- thing previously scheduled on that date that can't be changed."

I smile. "Oh, Pete, I think that would work. Could you do it tomorrow?" I ask impatiently.

"Sure. Now let's get back to work. I think Pop is ready to go, and Hellen needs to pick up the kids from school." "Is everything all right?" Mr. Papadopoulos asks as he eyes us with curiosity.
"All is well, Dad. You best get going; Mom will be waiting," Pete says as he pats his dad on the back.

The afternoon and early evening fly by, and I feel a sense of relief at avoiding being alone with Conn again.

"Penny for your thoughts," Pete says as he begins getting ready to close down.
"I just wonder why I couldn't have dated Erik first.

Why didn't he approach me? I regret having given myself to someone who doesn't value me," I say.

He stops for a moment and walks over to me. "You can't think like that. Things happen for a reason. Maybe Conn does have feelings for you but knows his limitations, so he doesn't express them. Was he rough with you the first time?"

"No, he wasn't rough," I say, remembering that evening.

"Fran, you're a beautiful woman, but you never seem to look around and notice who is attracted to you. Maybe you just didn't notice Erik. It doesn't matter that you slept with Conn. In a way it might be a blessing, and now you're able to compare and value what you have. Things tend to work themselves out." He gives me a hug and then goes back to cleaning the grill.

I busy myself filling napkin holders and sugar jars until I hear the front door. I look in that direction and see it's Erik holding a single red rose. I smile and walk toward him, and he embraces me. "I told you I probably couldn't wait till Wednesday," he says with a smile, handing me a small box.

I take the box and look at him questioningly. "What's this for?"

"Your birthday present." I open the box and find a cassette tape and two tickets to the New York Symphony. "The cassette is all your favorite songs from the week- end," he says with a grin. I smile and throw myself in his arms, kissing him sweetly. Our kiss is interrupted as we hear a coughing sound in the background.

"None of that here. Fran, you're still on the clock," Pete says with a wide grin. Then, walking toward us, he turns to Erik and says, "I'm glad for you guys. You both make a nice couple, but if you make her cry anything but tears of joy, I'll break your leg."

I stand there in silence, stunned, but I know that Pete is trying to let him know that I'm not alone and have people who love me. Erik smiles as he says, "I know you're like a brother to her, so I'm not taking offense. Besides, I would never hurt her."

Pete stands there looking Erik over in silence for a few moments; then he smiles as he pats his back. "You two go on. I'll finish up. See you tomorrow, Fran," he says with a wink.