Passion for the Field

Mix it up

Emma sat in the front seat of Davis’ Dodge Charger. She rolled down the window and leaned her arm against the door. Her long, brown curly hair was messy from a lack of attention but she had a natural beauty that shown through despite the lack of effort on her part. Emma almost never put on makeup much to the chagrin of her mother and sisters but she had the type of skin that glowed from within and made her attractive to most men. Not that Emma enjoyed that attention. Once men discovered her cold intellectual nature they tended to lose interest. Despite being 24 she had only had one serious relationship that ended 2 years ago when she had finished her masters degree. Davis looked over at Emma as they pulled out of the parking garage. He clapped his hands driving with his knees and sang, “You’re coming you’re coming!” Davis and Emma became fast friends last year when they met as first year PhD students at State. Davis was gay and loved dragging Emma out of her comfort zone. “Did you meet anyone over the summer?” Emma asked. “Oh you know I did!” Davis responded. Emma grabbed her sunglasses from her purse “Of course you did” Emma said. Davis filled her in on the University cop he hooked up with over the summer while teaching summer classes. Emma was glad that he had enjoyed the summer session. She had been glad to get away from the University for the summer after presenting her first year project. It was tough to complete the thesis in her first year. At least one student every year didn’t make it and Emma had worked hard to ensure it hadn’t been her. Emma looked out the window and she smiled to herself as she remembered how hard she’d worked to stay in the program. She deserved to be here and if they wanted her at the mixer she would go.

Davis pulled onto the street of Dr. Allens house. Dr. Allen was the chair of the psychology department at State and had been for numerous years. It looked like a lot of people were already there. “No backing out now “ Davis joked as he opened his car door.

The front door was open and they heard music coming from the backyard. Emma had not come to the mixer last year and thus had not seen Dr. allens house. It was about what she expected. Modern architecture with a large open layout. Tables were set up in the house and in the backyard around her pool. Most people were outside listening to the music and eating the catered dinner. Emma looked to her left and noticed a bar with a bar tender. She grabbed Davis’ elbow and began walking to the bar. “Let’s get something before we have to talk to anybody”.

Drinks in hand they journeyed to the backyard. Dr. Andmonsen saw her and started waving her over. Emma wondered if she had been drinking but the straight laced professor had never seemed the type. Emma started toward Dr. Andmonsen lost in thought about when the last time she saw her smile was when she turned to see that Davis had left her to join the other doc students from his lab. Annoyed by his departure Emma continued to the table.

Dr. Andmonsen had definitely had some drinks Emma thought as she took her seat. The prestigious professor launched in to how Emma had such beautiful hair a view she had never expressed before. Emma sighed and looked out over the rest of the party. This was exactly why she had not wanted to attend. People commenting about her life or her work was not preferable to spending the night actually working. Dr. Andmonsen stopped talking at Emma and coyly smiled at emma as if she had some devilish secret to behold. “Have you met Dr. Bennett yet” Dr. Andmonsen asked softly. “What?” Emma responded “who is that?” Emma had heard nothing about a new faculty member. Dr. Andmonsen’s smile widened and she turned to the back of the yard. “Alexander” she called. “You simply must meet my second year doctoral student”she shouted. A tall, pale clean cut man dressed in jeans and a button down shirt appeared at their table. With a slightly amused look on his face he looked down at Emma. Emmas eyes widened before her stood the academic giant. He was gorgeous with a slight athletic build. She found herself wondering what it would feel like to run her hands down his bare chest. She shook her head slightly to gain a better grip on the situation.