The Assistant, The Quaterback, and The Professor

The Plan

November was a whirlwind starting with my twenty sixth birthday. JR always had on his Dr. Noll cap in class and I respected that. He was a professional in the classroom, and JR outside. All that out the window with my birthday. Although our seats were unassigned, I sat in the same seat: second row, fourth chair, dead center. There were a vase of red roses, a dozen to be exact.

JR said, "ooh Cat, roses, is today a special day."

The class shifted on me as I answered. "Yes Dr. Noll, today if my birthday."

"Well then birthday girl, please read the card."

"okay...since you insist."

The card read:

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

I'm only 12 steps,

Back to you.

Love,

Junior

I had my sectional afterwards. Allen Michael brought me a dozen roses as well. I whispered thank you in the air. He had a puzzled look upon his face. His eyes were drawn to the second bundle. Who gave me those? Allen Michael, I guess, never assumed I might actually have someone already. That I might already be involved and that's dangerous.

That was the last straw. Allen Michael and JR were driving me crazy. I had to something. It had to planned and accurate: a one-hitter quick finder. Shock and awe was definitely the way to go. I had to kill two birds with one quick stone. But how? They were so different but yet so alike. I had to find a way. I got it. Tomorrow was my dissertation, Dr. Noll's formal observation. Both guys would be present: Allen Michael attending class and JR observing it. I got it, another man. This man had to be the Maybach of men: fine, charming, and eloquent. He needed to be masculine and territorial. One he made his mark on me, I hope the other "lions" would back off. But who? I got it, Clyde.

Clyde was the only other person I knew, who was not connected by Allen Michael or JR. We met in undergrad at Florida. We were seniors who barely had it figured out. He initially was going to law school, and I wanted to study medicine. Our failed attempts landed us in introductory Anthropology classes our senior year. Our bond was never stronger. I knew there was nothing between because Clyde is gay. Trust me, he is gay. So gay that when we went out for sushi, he sat by his boyfriend, and I sat across with my best friend. It looked like to gay couples on a double date. He would be perfect. He's a gay man but he's a man's man too.

Thankfully my bff took little convincing.

"Don't worry Captain Save-a-Hoe is here."

"Dude, you need work on your name."

"Whatever, the men love it." He purred.

"All right drama King, lights, camera, action."

The scene was set. I haven't been late since my stunt in the first date. The room door was perched open like always. We strode up hand in hand five minutes late.

Clyde grabbed me by the waist, "baby, good luck, I'll see you later, of course."

"Of course, baby after my follow-up with Dr. Noll."

"Until then, Cherrie."

"Bye big daddy."

Clyde purred my last comment and I burst out in laughter.

JR interrupted us, "Ms. Daniels, class started five minutes ago."

Allen Michael followed, "yeah... Cat, you're late."

I never suspected them to gang up on me but I guessed they shared a 'united front against a common enemy.' My planned worked although the room was hostile. My dissertation was flawless. Luckily for me we were covering Sociology in Romantic Relationships. I proposed the following question: as humans can we exist alone?"

Like I said, the presentation was flawless, even JR noticed back in his office.

"Cat, what an extraordinary lecture you gave this morning. Your points were articulated very nicely. The level of class interest and participation was through the roof.'

"Thank you, I concur, the class seemed to enjoyed it."

"The only problem was your display prior to. Remember to be cautious of your schedule. Professionals are very concerned about time. Time is a valuable thing."

"Sorry, sir, it won't happen again." He was livid, my planned worked."

"Well Cat, we're through, do you have any questions?"

"Nope."

"Then you're dismissed to your lunch date." Was that a hint of jealousy? I was too happy with myself to care. I just gathered my belongings and compose myself, just enough not to skipped out the doorway. Next was Allen Michael. Allen Michael always met in the hallways after my meeting with JR, as 'back-up' I presume. Today he was a no-show. Had I gone too far? I made it downstairs to the Juke. He was there. He didn't wave or come over to see me. I told Clyde to meet at the Juke for scene two just in case. Right on time, Clyde was there too.

"Ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm tired." Before we could leave, Allen Michael walked up to us.

"Hey Cat, how was the 'follow-up?'"

"Great, Allen Michael, no 'back-up' needed today."

"I see: today, you came prepared." Was he jealous, too. I snapped back.

"Have you met? Allen Michael, this is..."

"Big daddy, but for everyone else, it's CJ, Clyde Johannes."

"Nice to meet you, Allen Michael Bradshaw."

"Are ewe going to win on Saturday?"

"I sure hope so."

I thought I understood the appeal of Allen Michael to the coeds on campus. I didn't understand his appeal on men: straight men. He was liking a walking god. For what his talent with a football, for that, did he deserve sainthood? Everywhere he went, crowds gawked. I always loved football since a child. My uncle Mike coached a Little League team at a park by my house. Unlike my cousins who were all cheerleaders, I wanted to be the coach. I would have made a great coach. I understood strategy and I had heart. I loved the game, it bonded me to the only father-figure I ever had in a special way. I never went to the games, I sometimes watched on TV. I was in the laundry room with the game on. Watching Allen Michael play, I understood now. The boy was fast. His arm was accurate. The ball shot out like a missile. His whole approach was flawless.

It was the last quarter two minutes on the clock. Georgia had the ball and was up by 6 points. We needed a interception and we needed bad. The defense did it, we got the ball back. The defensive end ran the ball to the 20 yard line. Just twenty yards to touchdown, two minutes until defeat, that's all that stood in our way. What kind of play would save the day. In a split second, Allen Michael changed the play. It was a fake, then another, then another. Georgia's defense was everywhere. Allen Michael rushed for the goal line. With five seconds, he leapt over two of the biggest men I had ever seen. The buzzer went off right as our kicker kicked the ball. It was good. LSU won: Allen Michael flawless. The announcer came on.

"Allen Michael, LSU is heading to the Rose bowl in Orlando against Florida. How do you feel?"

"Great...we needed a touchdown. I'm just glad I could help the team."

"Any final words?"

"Yeah. I love you mom, and you've been a bad kitty."

The announcer was just as shocked as I was. He was referring to me. No one knows that beside well our mutual associate: sorority members, fraternity brothers, and the other students in his discussion section.