Under The Radar: A Redshirt Diary

Guess What?

December 22, 2021

Christmas Eve Eve Eve began at the Stevens' house with Marc and Sarah waking from their slumber and talking over several issues before getting on to the day and the eventual celebration that evening.

Marc: I was going into Convention week wanting to have a discussion with you about next year's housing situation, as we had come to a point where we were spending more nights together in one of our apartments than apart. I had planned to ask you at some point while we were in Columbus to consider looking for a place together off-campus.

Sarah: Is that you asking me? If so, the answer is yes, because I had been pondering a similar request given how much I enjoy and love falling asleep with you.

Marc: Do any research yet on the Harrisonburg market?

Sarah: I was able to skim through a few websites for apartments. 4-bedrooms within walking distance of JMU are going $475-500 per room, whereas a 4-bedroom somewhat north or south of what would be considered the campus' footprint can be gotten for $1300 or so. Two-bedrooms were about the same, $500 per vs. $700-750 for a flat.

Marc: I love you, Sarah.

Sarah leaned across and pecked Marc's lips. "I love you, too. Want to be the one to sell this if the question comes up, being you're a bit of a numbers-cruncher?"

Marc: I can do that.

Sarah: Can I get some clarification on the two nicknames for Deacon Schmidt I heard yesterday? Why do you and Ally at times refer to him as Mad Dog, and, if you know, why did Steph call him XP?

Marc: The second one is easier to explain. Steph began using that moniker for him because it's short-hand for Expansion Pack, like you'd have for various programs or apps on a computer, being Erin and she had come to consider Marc their home-away-from-home dad, as theirs were anywhere from five to nine hours away. Mad Dog is a reference to District Attorney Jack McCoy, a character in "Law and Order". As Deacon Schmidt is considered the university's judge and jury over cases of student-athlete misconduct and matters concerning the candidacy process for future ELCA rostered leaders, his reputation as a no-nonsense arbiter, one that enjoys having a slight bit of a mean streak to him, had caused others to see him as a rabid and vicious animal seeking to destroy wrongdoers as a means of fun.

Sarah: Thanks for the info. Why did Steph say she thought Katelyn and I would hit it off?

Marc: You and her are pretty similar in body type, in your level of bro-ness, and in undercutting your own adorableness when someone compliments you.

Sarah: Sounds like someone you'd consider for a girlfriend. Why didn't you and her get together, or did you try and it not work out?

Marc: She has a lady of her own. Simple as that. Same issue we came to find out concerning Dan the Man.

Sarah: That.....would be a problem, I can see.

Marc: I gave Dana my info in case her friend wanted some impartial counseling on how to come out to her family and others about herself and who she's seeing. Before we get out of bed, I'd like to run an idea by you. We'll have Presidents' Day off and I'm wondering if you'd like to do a belated Valentine's Day trip somewhere reasonably close, like DC or Baltimore. Maybe use some of the tips and tricks we learn from the online courses on each other?

Sarah: So four days and nights, no distractions except one another, in a somewhat posh environment? Book it.

Sarah surprised Marc by pressing him onto his back and straddling him. She then leaned over and passionately devoured his lips while grinding against the stiffening bulge in his sleep pants. As much as he wanted to feel her nakedness against him, he knew it wasn't a wise idea given the level of privacy he had in his room.