In Case You Didn't Know

Chapter 18 | Part 2

"It's going to be at Women and Children First, I'd love to see you there."

"Of course, we need more female authors like yourself." Frances comments warmly after inquiring about the reading session I'm going to have next month. Both her and Christopher have turned out to be surprisingly laid-back and hilarious, and the last half hour has gone almost in a blur talking to them.

"Especially young ones." Christopher chimes in. "I'm always telling my students that all the creativity and talent that they have is of no use if they don't share it with the world."

"Honestly. People think that you have to wait until you have your life all figured out to pursue your creative passions, but genuinely, art is a powerful way to tackle 21st century pressing matters."

"Would you be willing to be a guest at one of my lectures?" Timothy asks, excited and hopeful. In one hand, going back to UC, particularly the lecture halls of the English Department, is odds-on going to give me the jumps, but I also enjoy public speaking and I'd love to share ideas and experiences with the students.

"I'd love to."

"It's lovely to see young women as yourself being so outspoken, on top of being talented, of course." Because I'm still having a hard time with compliments, I limit myself to smile politely, but the look that Nathaniel gives me, who has just rejoined our conversations after a quick chat with his other guests, doesn't go by unnoticed.

"What was that look about?" A perceptive Frances inquires.

"Alexia here is having some sexism issues at work." I send daggers at his direction, not because I don't want to broach the subject —it would make me a colossal cynic if I didn't—, but because I'm still struggling to find a way to talk about it without feeling like I'm the one at fault for putting up with such attitudes.

"Why do you have to be so annoying?" I roll my eyes at him, feigning irritation. He chuckles, but comes to a halt when Frances continues the conversation, sharing a similar situation she had at UC a few months ago.

"That's happening in our department?" An astonished Nathaniel asks.

"It's happening everywhere!" Frances and I state almost in unison.

"And it won't relent until we stop minimizing the issue. Change our patterns, understand how outdated some are."

"I agree." Nathaniel says, and the four of us enter a state of silent reverie.

"Why so broody? It's a birthday party, not a funeral." Amelia says cheerfully as she comes to stand behind Nathaniel, ruffling his hair. "Alexia, come, help me set things up for beer pong." I hesitate for a second, but she seems friendly enough so I jump to my feet and trail behind her until we reach a large, rectangular table.

"You are not forcing me to play this, are you?" I wonder out loud when she hands me a set of red cups to align on my side of the table. "I'm terrible at aiming and handling my booze."

"We will have to see just how bad, then." She teases. I like her, I think.

"By the way, your son is the most precious thing that I've seen."

"Isn't he? Right when I think that I couldn't love him more, he does something such as smiling in his sleep or staring at me like he knows exactly what is going to through my mind, you know?" The way that her eyes light up reminds me of the way that Samantha looks when talking about Mia —which, speaking of, should be born any day now.

"What are you ladies up to?" My breath catches in my throat when Nathaniel's mother joins us, tenderly placing a hand on Amelia's back. I can't help thinking back to that Christmas that I was supposed to spend with them in Philadelphia. A wake of events that unfurled in one chaotic way or another.