Willing to Learn

Two

I wondered if there was some law against being friends with one of your college professors? After our small talk in the library, Professor Williams made me feel like a better woman. Although he didn't say anything on the matter or even give me any seductive looks, he made me feel wanted. I enjoyed that feeling, especially seeing that it had been so long since anyone made me feel desired.

In class, he had my undivided attention. He may have been strictly business but it didn't stop me from ogling him. Professor Williams was, of course, delectable all around, particularly in a suit. I had no idea how I was able to concentrate on anything with him talking or just... breathing in my general direction.

I was doing pretty well in my classes as midterms were coming up. So much so, that I decided to take a break and hang out with my friends. I would've said that they were a key factor in my young mentality but they were all moms with those motherly instincts and all. I was the oldest out of our group but although they ruled their households with iron fists, they made me feel younger when we were out and about, causing "trouble".

Friday after class found me meeting them at our favorite seafood restaurant. It could be negative ten degrees outside with ten inches of snow: I would never turn down an invite to the place. The four of us talked about random things, I got caught up in the highlights of their lives and we started our drinking there.

"Ty, I think I got someone for you," Candice said between bites of fried shrimp and the rest of us immediately groaned out our frustrations. "Oh, come on! This is will be different."

"Does he have a job this time?" Pat asked. We never called her Patricia unless we were asking for an ass whooping.

"Yes! He works with my husband. And, he's single. And, he's a God-fearing man." Candice tried to sell this one. Ever since my divorce, she tried so hard to play matchmaker but it never worked. Every guy that she tried to hook me up with had something wrong with him. And not just something trivial that I could look past.

"Does he have kids?" Shannon asked for me. The two of us had been friends longer than the others, especially seeing that she was my sister-in-law.

"That he takes care of," Pat waved a crab leg at Candice and I stole it from her. The move caused her to give me a face but I gave her the rest of my green beans.

"No kids. No crazy exes. And he's never been locked up." Candice said but I shook my head.

"There's gotta be something wrong with him, I feel it. So, I'm just gonna say no. Besides, I'm too busy to meet anyone right now. I barely have time for you guys!"

"We've noticed," Candice stuck her tongue out and I laughed.

As always, the plan altered during our second round of drinks: it was a payday Friday and so clubbing was in order. A few months ago, I would have to get permission from my husband. I had to get permission from him to do anything, really. I couldn't help grinning from ear-to-ear as I showered because I no longer needed to ask to do anything.

I dug through my closet and dresser to piece together an outfit I hadn't worn in so long, all because the ex didn't like it. I knew why: I may have been ugly but I had a decent body, and this outfit showed it to the world. I had more stomach than I liked but compared to what I'd seen on other women when out and about, it wasn't bad. I didn't know if I wanted to be the size I was back in high school, because I was teased back then as well for being too skinny.

No one gave a damn about my shapely legs back then. To them, I was "Olive Oyl".

I didn't wear makeup so I was always the first one ready. My skirt hugged me in all the right places, particularly my hips, and the shirt was loose around my stomach but showed a lot of cleavage, which was accentuated by my bra that was purposely a size too small: why pay so much money for a pushup bra when you could cheat? I knew that heels would help bring attention to my legs, but I also knew that there was a ninety-eight percent chance of a lot of dancing and those heels would be my downfall. I opted for a pair of pretty flats and after chugging a beer, I was on my way out.