Getting to know your roomies

You shrug. “It’s pretty dull stuff. I’d been working as a receptionist at one of the St. Francis clinics in Herrin. Made good money, and the benefits were good, but not what I wanted to do. I decided I wanted to go back to school, get a degree. I made the mistake of dating one of nurses at the clinic. I told her this isn’t what I want to do for the rest of my life. We had a fight and she told me I couldn’t live without her. I realized I could and left. So I transferred to the clinic here, enrolled in night school, and got a place to live with the three of you,” you smile as you hold up your glass in a mock toast.

Andi and Kelly laugh as they clink their glasses with yours. The three of you take sips of your drinks. Then Kelly asks, “So what are you studying?”

You smile a bit sheepishly. “Well, I want to get my Masters and finish my certifications so I can teach English. I’d love to teach at a small university or community college, but wouldn’t mind doing high school, I guess.”

A mischievous light sparkles in Andi’s eyes. “You’re not one of those who wanna teach for the pussy, are you?”

Kelly giggles. “Look at him, Andi. He’s tall, dark, intelligent, mysterious. You know he’s flunking all the cute freshmen so they’ll come to his office and do ‘anything’ for a passing grade.” They laugh good-naturedly, and you can’t help but smile with them.

“Since you’ve all had a nice laugh at my expense, tell me a bit about you so I can at least tease you back,” you grin.

Andi starts, “Well, I work as a lab technician at the main St. Francis hospital here.”

She pauses as you blush. “Boy, I really stuck my foot in my mouth there.”

Andi and Kelly both laugh. “It’s cool,” Andi tells you, reaching across the table and patting your hand briefly. “I know it’s not for everyone. Aside from work, I’m a video game freak and a huge comic book collector. I’m five foot nine, love to walk, and want a man who’s not afraid to cry.” If possible, her playful grin widens even more.

Then Andi turns to Kelly. “I’m pretty dull, myself. I’m studying to be a teacher as well, and I’m also getting a minor and teaching endorsements in speech and drama. Plus I took a few dancing lessons as a child; my mother insisted on it.” She blushes a bit as she continues. “So I go to classes during the day, and I work with a couple of the small dance studios and community theaters as an actor and instructor for some extra cash.”

The thought of watching Kelly perform on stage, with her lithe body and her soft voice, suddenly captivates you. “Let me know when you’ll be performing next. I’d love to watch you,” you tell her honestly. She turns to face you, a bit surprised by your comment and your sincerity. And at that moment your eyes meet, briefly, then the two of you quickly turn away.

Andi slowly stands up. “Guess that’s my cue to leave,” she comments jokingly. Leaning over to Kelly, she says in a loud stage whisper, “I’ll do the dishes later if you wanna show our new roomie how well you can do the splits.” Both you and Kelly blush deeply as Andi puts her dishes in the sink, gives you both a knowing wink, and leaves the room.