My Professor

7. Inventory

"Need some help with that?"

I looked up from the boxes of books in front of me, noticing Huey standing nearby. We were working another evening shift at the book store and although it'd been a relatively busy night, I'd managed to find some time to inventory a few boxes of books that had arrived early that day.

"Sure," I replied. "Has it slowed down up front?" We only had thirty minutes left of our shift and it wasn't unusual for things to quiet down around then.

"It has," Huey said, crouching down next to me. He pulled up another box and began counting the books inside.

We worked in silence for a moment before Huey initiated a conversation.

"How have your classes been?" he asked.

"They've been pretty good so far," I said. "It's still pretty early in the semester, but I think I'll do okay. The only class I'm struggling with is Chemistry."

"Oh, yeah. I remember that class," he said. "Who do you have?"

"Professor Callahan," I said, hoping I kept a straight face.

"I had him, too. He was pretty cool."

"He seems nice," I said, being sure to stay vague.

"You know, if you ever need help with your homework, just let me know. I'd be more than happy to help," Huey offered.

"Thanks," I smiled at him. "I appreciate that."

We worked in silence for a moment.

"How's your photography business been?" I asked to fill the silence.

"It's going well," Huey said. "It's a little slow right now, but it'll pick up around the holidays."

"I guess it will be here before we know it," I said.

"Yeah, time flies," he replied. "What about you? How is your novel coming along?"

I'd told Huey on a quiet night about the novel I was tentatively working on. I kept circling back to hammering out some solid outlines instead of actually getting the words on the page. It was a vicious cycle of not being able to commit to one project.

"I'm still trying to figure out what I want to write about," I admitted. "I have it down between a few concepts, but...I don't know. It's a big commitment."

"You'll never finish a project if you never start," he told me.

"I know, I know," I smiled. "I'm working on it."

"Will you let me read it when it's done?" he asked.

"Sure," I agreed, although I wasn't really committed to it. I would see how I felt after I made some progress on a manuscript.

"How's your family been?" he asked.

"They're good, " I said. "My mom is still working too hard and my sister still lives at home, but they're doing well."

"How was Texas?"

"Hot," I replied. "Unbearably so."

"I'd still think I'd like to visit one day."

"Well, I wouldn't recommend going in the summer," I advised.

"I don't doubt it," he chuckled.

"Where would you like to visit?" I asked, wondering if he was hoping to visit me. I was still unsure of if I wanted to move back to Texas after I graduated; I hadn't made any progress with trying to make up my mind about it.

"Austin, I think," he said, naming my hometown. "If you don't mind."

"I don't own the city," I laughed. "You can visit if you want."

"Would you show me around? All the good places to see?"

"Sure, if I'm in town," I said.

"Are you thinking about staying in Oregon after you graduate," he asked, brightening up a bit.

"I'm thinking about it," I said. "It depends. I think I'd feel bad for leaving my mom behind long term, but then again, she's been just fine the last three years while I've been up here. I just wish my sister would pitch in a little more. She quit her job at the pet store and still hasn't bothered to get a new job."

"She hadn't been there very long, has she? I think I remember you saying the go the job right before you left for the summer."

"Yeah, exactly. I don't want to tell her how to live her life but I wish she'd try a little harder. It's not fair to my mom, putting the responsibility of supporting her on her like that. She's twenty for crying out loud. It's about time she gets her act together."

"Everybody works at their own pace," Huey said. "Maybe she just needs a little more time."

"We'll see," I conceded.

"And, anyway, it's not exactly your problem," he said. "If your mom had an issue with it I'm sure she'd say something."

"Yeah, that's true," I said. I struggled with not taking on other people's problems. When I cared about someone I wanted the best for them, even if they weren't willing to strive for it themselves.

"Hey, after we clock out, do you want to stop by Suzie's and grab a bite to eat?" he asked. Suzie's was a local diner a few blocks away.

"I don't know, Huey," I said. "I have to get back home so I can work on some of my schoolwork."

"Is it your homework or do you have a secret boyfriend who'd have an issue with it?" he asked, teasing me.

"Nope, no boyfriend," I said. "I'm just trying to stay on top of my school work."

"More power to you," he said, looking over at me.

"Do you have a secret girlfriend who would mind?" I asked, trying to smooth over the conversation.

"Not at all," he smiled. "I wish, though. Things get pretty lonely, being single."

"I'm too busy to be lonely," I said. Even as I said it I felt a pang in my chest. My thought immediately when to Theodore. I certainly wouldn't mind being in a relationship with him. It would never happen, but a girl could still dream.

"There's not anyone who's caught your eye?" Huey probed.

"No," I lied. "Not at all."

Huey's expression seemed to flatten, but I didn't look up to get a good look. I could only see in my peripheral vision.

"Well, maybe one day," he said.

"Yeah," I agreed without much hope. "Maybe one day."