The Highest Learning

Chapter 36-Epilogue

Patrick waits outside the classroom for Professor Springer's lecture to end. He finds Suzanne after class and they discreetly go into his empty classroom and have a very mature conversation about boundaries, where they make a plan for how they will never unintentionally cross one another's boundaries again. It can be uncomfortable to discuss boundaries sometimes, but it is something that needs to be done. Lovers should discuss their wants and needs with one another.

They promise to never purposefully overstep one another's boundaries again, not just in the bedroom, or rather classroom for them, but in life. They promise to always communicate emotions openly and honestly with one another. They promise to be truthful about their insecurities, secrets, fears, wants, and needs. They promise to never lie to each other. They promise to honor one another.

They promise to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish each other, till death do they part, in the presence of God and the dead fetal pigs in the closet in the back, they make this vow so long as they both shall live. They seal it by exchanging the words "I love you" followed by a kiss...and of course some more mind-blowing, life altering monkey sex.

Patrick and Suzy had acted like mirrors for one another. Each one allowed the other to see his and her flaws. The mirror to self is often how famous prophets are described. By discovering love with each other, they discovered divine wisdom within themselves.

Mark also waits until the end of class and approaches Diane. Both of them are deeply ashamed of themselves and they apologize to one another. They discuss their feelings, as well and discover that they have more in common than they thought. The war is over, and a peace treaty has been brokered.

Mark bandages her foot using a technique one of the athletic trainers taught him, and Diane in return, teaches Mark how to effectively use mind maps to study. Mark sees that Diane is not really the man hating bitch he thought she was, and she in turn, sees that he is not quite the immature little douchebag she thought he was. Perhaps they had evolved a little through this experience also.

They even joke about how some couples that fight also tend to have really passionate sex. They give each other a handshake and a kiss on the cheek before parting ways and wishing each other goodbye.

Surprisingly, no one has tattled on anyone to the Dean. No one is offended right now. Everyone is treating one another with the respect he, she, ze, or whatever their preferred pronoun is, deserves. All is seemingly right with the world.

Weeks later, Diane brings herself to attend a stand-up comedy show. Previously, she would have found this type of garbage offensive, but she catches herself enjoying it. Some of those comedians are really hilarious.

Mark, on the other hand, has his own experience of personal growth when he stands up to his friends who are joking about how they might put a roofie in a girls drink at a party later that night. He lets them know that although he's all for jokes, he's not cool with someone taking advantage of a woman, and he will brutally kick the shit out of any of them if he finds out they pulled something like that.

Diane and Mark's actions aren't complete victories but definitely a step in the right direction. Suzanne and Patrick have set an example for others, like Mark and Diane, to live by.

Patrick and Suzanne will have sex many more times in their lives...Some of it subpar, some of it extraordinary. When you're in a relationship, every night doesn't have to be New Year's Eve. Sometimes you need low times to appreciate the highs.

Sex makes up part of a relationship, but relationships are not all about sex. Relationships are about two people sharing their lives and a connection with one another. Often times, the most memorable moments in a relationship have nothing to do with sex at all.

So there it is. Our story is now complete, wrapped up with a pretty little bow on it. You can insert your favorite upbeat 90's song to play here while the imaginary credits rolling.

I hope you're happy. Did you laugh? Did you cry? Did you learn something? Did you think deeply? Did you get horny? Did you feel any nostalgia? Did you puke during the fisting and shitting part? Did you have any reaction? Did you feel anything at all? Nothing?

Alright, since you sat through this whole thing like good little boys and girls, you get some more pop culture references. Like the character Biff instructs people to do in the Back to the Future series, "Why don't you make like a tree, and get out of here." Or like Arnold Schwarzenegger says in the Terminator movies, "Get out!" Or like...you know what? Enough pop culture references. Go enjoy yourself, and God (or whatever you believe in) Bless.

The End.