Chapter Thirteen
"Alright, everyone. We are officially at the halfway point of this class.
We will start presentations on Thursday for the group projects.
I have the order in which everyone will present taped by the door, so make sure to look at see.
The presentation is a big portion of your grade for this project, so make sure you are here. "
I get a small feeling of satisfaction when half the class groans.
As a teacher, even a professor for college classes, it makes me want to laugh when they react like that.
Especially because, despite the different ages and grades I've taught, it's always the same.
I nod politely and wave to a few of them as they file out the door.
The sun is bright through the window and I can't wait to get outside.
As usual, Nelson is the last to leave. I move to my usual spot for our after-class chat, leaning against the front of my desk with my arms crossed over my chest. Flashes of last night pass through my mind and I can't help but smile.
He's not even looking at me right now, but I can picture his smile over drinks and dinner last night.
Hayley teasing both of us, but Nelson giving it right back.
They got along well and when I dropped them off this morning, she made a show of giving me her blessing to pursue him.
I just rolled my eyes, but secretly I'm relieved they got along so well.
"Any plans today?" I ask when he finishes packing up his things. He takes a few steps toward me, standing just a foot away. I can smell his cologne. It's a deep, woodsy scent. Same as his body wash. Creature of habit, I guess.
"Nothing much today," Nelson says. "I have an open house later for a place."
"House or apartment?"
"House this time. I think I'm done looking at apartments."
"I still hate that you're having to move in the first place," I say. "I love your house now. Is this one similar, at least?"
"Not really. It's one story, smaller than what I have now, and it's closer to the city so there's a yard but it isn't anything like the land now. Zula would have to stay at the barn."
"Zula?"
"My horse," Nelson says. "I raised her from birth so it kind of sucks I'll have to leave her behind."
"And there really isn't anything that can be done?" The more I get to know him, it's obvious how much Nelson loves the farm and never planned on leaving it. The way he told us stories of growing up last night and talks about the animals makes it obvious that the last thing he wants to do is move.
"Charlie had a lawyer look over the contract. He still swears that he only agreed to a section of the land, but it's written clearly in the contract with his signature two paragraphs down."
"And he has a copy of the original contract?"
Nelson gives me a look and I know why. My whole tone has changed.
My mind is supplying images of my dad and colleagues celebrating with elaborate dinners after closing deals that screwed over small businesses.
He'd hide the jargon in pages of contracts, promise the people they would take care of them, and then turn around and either reconstruct or totally tear down that business.
Once I realized what was going on, I hated my dad for that.
I hated my mom for going along with it, and my older brother for joining him.
"I'm assuming that is the original contract," Nelson says. "I wasn't there when he signed it, but it has the letterhead and all that. He's tried to talk to them, but obviously they aren't budging. They're suppose to be coming by the farm next week to survey or something."
I move back around the desk and pack up my own things before we head out of the classroom together.
I have to get some things done, so I'm planning on heading to my office across campus for a bit.
I have half a thought to ask to see the contract, but I don't want to overstep.
I'm sure it's just a shitty situation. There's a chance they could still counter offer.
There are options and laws that could potentially protect the seller depending on what the contract states, but I don't know if it would get their hopes up.
"Are you not heading home?" Nelson asks. I stepped out of the elevator with the intention of heading across campus instead of the direction of the parking lot.
"Oh, no sorry. I'm heading to my office to get some things done. Have to actually do my job from time-to-time."
"Have you eaten today yet?" Nelson gives me a look that tells me he already knows the answer.
I have the tendency to not eat when I have an early morning.
I made the mistake of telling him that the other day.
"I'll go grab some lunch, if you want, and meet you in your office. What do you want to eat?"
"You don't have to do all that."
"My treat."
"You already paid for our dinner last night," I point out.
His little trip to the restroom was also to secretly pay for our meal before anyone else could.
I scolded him before he could get in his truck.
He just laughed and gave me a wink before driving away.
"I'll order us something so you don't have to drive back and forth. "
"It really isn't a problem," Nelson says. I hold up a hand, wagging my finger back and forth to stop him.
"Nope, it's my turn to treat you." I let out a sigh as we walk out of the building. I turn around to face him and smile. "I'm thinking that Japanese place a couple blocks away. Have you been there?"
"Don't think I have," Nelson says. "I actually don't think I've ever had Japanese in general."
"Are you allergic to anything?" I pull out my phone as we walk and open the delivery app.
Nelson confirms he isn't allergic to anything and I nod, picking out two different bowls and a couple of sides as well.
There is bound to be something that he'll enjoy.
I set the location for outside the office building before we head across campus. "It's so nice out today."
"It is," Nelson agrees. "I'm hoping there will be a little bit of rain this weekend, though. We need it on the farm. It'll be the last crop we sell so it needs to be good."
His tone is somber and I get a stabbing guilt in my stomach, even though it really isn't my business.
I reach the door leading to the skybridge first and hold it open for Nelson to walk through.
I made it a habit to stop in the middle of the bridge and look out to the left.
The road we're crossing over has a perfect view of the mountains in the distance.
In the mornings, the sun is just rising over the mountaintop.
I have a couple photos on my phone of different days.
"I love the mix of small town and city life this place offers," I say as we start walking again.
"What was it like growing up in Chicago?" Nelson asks.
"I know I had a different side of Chicago than the average person," I start.
"My parents lived in a penthouse for most of my life and I was chauffeured to and from places.
But even still, there were only a few places I knew that gave you this kind of homey vibe.
Chicago was a lot of crowds and noises. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was joining my parents for fancy dinners and events at the age of fourteen to entertain the clients' kids.
I thought I was just getting to come along with them, but by the time I reached sixteen I realized what I was there for.
The events and fun times I was having started to feel like a job soon after that. "
I turn down a hallway and Nelson follows silently beside me. I know he asked about the city and not my personal life, but I haven't spoken to anyone other than Hayley about this. I don't know why it's so easy for me to spill all my thoughts to this guy.
"Was there anywhere you liked to watch the sunrise in Chicago?" I turn my face to him, a bit confused on the subject change. "I just noticed that you stopped to look at the view from the bridge."
"Oh, yeah. I like the view right there. We lived in a high rise so there was almost always a view to look at. It was one thing I liked about it, unless it was foggy that day, or rainy, because then the view was completely gone. It would feel a bit… uncanny."
"How so?"
"You get used to being able to see everything and then one morning you wake up and suddenly it's just a thick cloud completely covering your view.
You couldn't see anything when it was really thick, but you know that it's a long way down to the ground.
For safety reasons, of course, the windows didn't open but a couple of inches.
I'd stick my fingers outside to touch the clouds on those days. "
"That sounds terrifying," Nelson says. I turn one more corner before we're at the door to my office. It's not very big, but there is a window that let's in a good amount of light.
"Feel free to sit there. I'll clean up some of these papers."
"Don't do it on my account," Nelson says. "I don't need a lot of space."
"Tell your shoulders that," I mumble. I didn't think he heard me, but his half-laugh, half-cough gives him away.
"What's wrong with my shoulders?" He shrugs, looking down at his chest. Naturally, my eyes also follow his and he definitely catches me looking at him. His laugh fills the room and I put my bag down on my seat.
"I'm going to go meet the guy outside for our food," I say. "I'll be right back."
The main door for this building is just down the hallway and I take the steps deliberately, trying to calm myself down.
Inviting him to the office was so natural but now that it's happening, I don't know what I'm supposed to do.
I don't mind helping him with questions and the time we hung out, it was before we made the promise to wait.
Does that mean I can't flirt with him? Last night crosses my mind.
We were definitely both giving and taking compliments and flirty remarks from each other.
We both admitted that we talk about each other when we're not together.
My mind is at war as I watch my phone, the little car on the screen driving closer every few seconds.
One side of me wants to keep that promise, to wait and figure out what we'll do afterward.
He's going through a lot and I know he's truly needing this class.
I don't want to screw anything up for him.
The other side of my brain is telling me that we're both adults.
It would be more concerning or different if it was a younger student, freshly turned eighteen.
I don't know if it is different, but I do know that it's so effortless to talk to Nelson.
He listens to me, remembers things I say.
I didn't have that growing up and the last couple of years living here it's been hookups instead of relationships.
The few friends I have, like Hayley or Vishal, have just as busy of lives and meeting up with them is a rare treat.
We're mostly texting every few days to keep up with each other.
I do plan to fly out after the baby is born, though. I need to meet my goddaughter. I gave myself that title this weekend and neither of them actually said the word no so I'm going with it. I wonder if Nelson would want to go with me.
The thought makes me pause. I cannot be debating if my feelings toward him are ethical as his professor, while at the same time I'm planning a future trip across the country for us. I shake my head and groan, unsure of which path I'm supposed to take.
The food delivery guy pulls up and I thank him for the food, adding a tip through the app once I confirm that everything is right. I laugh when I see they added at least four utensil packs for the amount of food I ordered.
Nelson has taken off his flannel shirt when I return to the office. He has his laptop out and I can see the study guide is pulled up on his screen. I posted it this morning before class started in preparation for the test next Thursday. "If only all the students were as diligent as you."
He startles and turns in the chair to follow my movements. I smile at that. He's so cute. "I don't exactly have the track record for good test scores, so I like to do a little bit each night."
"You're passing the class," I say. I'm confused on his stance with his scores. "Your scores have improved with each week. Don't forget the offer I gave you, too. I'm actually doing it for another student, so don't think you're the only one."
"I'm not special?" I look up from the bag of food and see the sarcastic smile he's wearing.
"I don't buy my other students lunch," I point out. Then I drop my voice, even though the door is shut. "Nor have I shared a bed with anyone else."
It's my turn to shoot him a wink as I pull out the last item from the bag.
I clear off the desk so we can eat comfortably.
We eat straight from the containers, passing food back and forth to get a bit of everything.
Nelson downs half a bottle of water after eating the spicy grilled pork.
I try my best not to laugh at him, but his ears have turned red from the heat.
I hand him over a napkin and motion to my own face. He has a bit of sauce on his lips and I'm sure he doesn't want to lick that off. He sets the dish down, shaking his head.
"I'm not trying that one again," he says. He coughs once more and then goes back to the ramen bowl. I got both of us a bowl and I'm glad that he seems to be enjoying his.
"It's not that bad," I say. "Do you not like spicy foods?"
"I have to be expecting it," he says. "That is a bit much for me, though."
"It's not that hot," I say. "You're just a sheltered farmer boy. You need to experience more cuisines."
"I'm not sheltered," Nelson argues.
"What's the most exotic thing you've eaten?" I'm curious what his answer is. From the way he talks, I don't imagine he's done much traveling, definitely not out of the country. I could be wrong, but I don't think I am.
"Alligator."
I nearly choke on my own food. After washing the bite down and composing myself, I stare at him. "What? Seriously?"
"You seem surprised," Nelson says. "I took a trip down to New Orleans once with some friends and we tried it. It wasn't my favorite thing by far, but I'd eat it again if given the chance. What were you expecting me to say?"
"I don't know," I say honestly. "I pegged you as a true country boy, maybe deer meat or something. I know that's a thing here to hunt, right?"
Nelson shakes his head and leans forward, his elbows resting on the edge of my desk. His eyebrows raise and he gets this glint in his eyes. "What else do you peg me for, Professor Murray?"