Linda's Story

When Danny Met Brie

Brie yawned as she pulled out the things to make another cup of coffee, despite it being late in the afternoon. She shouldn't have pulled that all nighter; how the hell does her roommate manage to go to class, study, and go to work all in a day without staying up till three in the morning? She'd have to ask because she could never- and she tried.

She yawned again and shook her head, trying to get the sleep out of her eyes and her brain. There was a knock on the door, causing her to groan. "Go away," she whispered, praying the person would leave.

When it became obvious they weren't leaving, she groaned again and walked to the door. "Yeah?" She asked around another yawn.

"Does Linda O'Shea live here?"

"Yeah." Brie's mind was finally awake enough to realize who was standing in the door way. "You're her Marine fiancé, right?"

"Yeah."

"Man, pictures do not do you justice! You are hot! I'm Brie, Linda's roommate."

"Hi. Is Li-"

"Come on in. Come, come," she waved him inside. "Want something to drink? Coffee, tea, champagne?"

"You're too young to have champagne."

"I'm kidding!" Brie turned to the kitchen, "so coffee?"

"I'm good, thanks."

"More for me then." She took a sip of the coffee she had just prepared, "so tell me, Danny, what's it like?"

"What's what like?"

"Being a Marine. What's it like?"

He didn't answer her, "when is Linda coming back?"

"Soon, don't worry!"

"Where's she at?"

She furrowed her brow, "wow, you're Kinda obsessed about her. She'll be here in twenty-ish minutes."

Danny nodded, looking around the apartment. He hadn't been here before. He knew Linda had a roommate, but for some reason he was expecting someone different. He looked at the white t-shirt she was wearing. In big black letters it read f- the patriarchy. "That's a, uh... interesting t-shirt you've got there."

She studied him for a moment, "if you're going to explain to me how the patriarchy is a good thing... I'ma have to crack both your nuts."

"Noted."

"You think it's a good thing, don't you?" She groaned and continued talking before he could answer. "Linda... why would she date a misogynist? I mean, we almost got in trouble for holding a peaceful patriarchy protest."

"I agree with you. The patri- wait, what? You protested with Linda? Sweet little I don't want to make a fuss Linda?"

"Mhmm. It was right after-" Brie cut herself off. Danny didn't know about the sexual assault.

"After what?" He prodded.

"After our friend, Mary Lou, was sexually assaulted. No one believed her, so me, Linda, and a bunch of other girls protested the dean and the patriarchy."

"And you almost got in trouble?"

"Yeah, but the vice chancellor or dean or whoever she is told us that if we'd stop, our permanent records wouldn't be affected."

"Those things don't exist, you know."

"What?"

"They use it as a scare tactic, cause they can't beat kids anymore."

"No kidding."

"It's true. Otherwise I'm screwed over for life."

Brie laughed, "me too, Danny. Me too. I was a little terror of a shit head, lemme tell you. Still am, actually. When I told my mother I was going to school to be a psychologist, she told me- and I quote!- Oh, those poor people."

"Oh no," he laughed. "My mother almost had a heart attack when I told her I was going into the Marines."

"Linda's mother- Marni- she told Linda that she'd never make it as a nurse, because Linda cries too much and she's too sensitive. She took a picture of her test grades, license, scrubs, stethoscope, everything and sent it to her mom. She has a picture of herself surrounded by all the things she needs as a nurse, with her holding up the middle finger and grinning smugly. She was too scared to send that one off."

"Do you still have that picture?"

"No... I have five. I wanted to treasure the moment when she proved her family terribly wrong." Brie bounced over to the bookshelf and took out a photo album. She plucked out a photograph then sat next to Danny on the couch.

He smiled and laughed at the photo, "say, can I keep one-a these?"

"Oh sure! Hey, listen, Linda and I were going to go out and grab a burger or something equally as fatty... wanna come?"

"That sounds fun, but I don't want to be a third wheel."

"You won't. Trust me. If anyone ends up as a third wheel, it'll be me."

Before Danny could protest more, the door opened, and Linda walked in.

"Do you think we can add two-feet tall milkshakes to our dinner order tonight, Brie?"

"Tough day?"

"You won't believe the day I've had." She sighed as she went to the kitchen. "First of all, there was an accident on the way to work, so I was late. And you know how much I hate being late. When I got there, the boss told me that if I was ever late again, I'd be fired, despite this morning being the first time ever I've been late to that job. When I told him it was a car accident, he didn't believe me. Then I got a headache, and five guys told me that their 'ailment' was in their pants, and if I could please fix it and make it better. Then, on top of all this crumminess, I get cramps."

Linda groaned as she took a long sip of her chocolate milk. "How was your day?"

"Oh, same old, same old. Except that I found your fiancé."

"Danny?"

"No, your other fiancé."

Linda finally looked up to see her best friend and her fiancé. She smiled widely and gave Danny a hug. He hugged her back, "you have no idea how much I needed this hug today."

"I'm happy to oblige."

"Listen, uh, why don't you two go out, get those burgers and milkshakes."

"You're coming with us," Linda said, grabbing Brie's hand. "You're two of my favorite people. You have to like each other, even if I have to force you to."

"I think we're going to get along just fine," Danny smiled over at Brie who nodded in agreement.

"Oh yeah. Just fine." She grinned; she and Danny were going to get along just fine.