Chapter 2
Chapter Two
WYL
I listened as each student stood and gave their story—typical college students here for a vocational certificate or as a stepping-stone to a four-year institution.
I grew more tense as my time approached.
I did not belong here. These students had not yet been born when I enlisted in the Marine Corps.
When my turn came, all eyes turned to me.
I wondered what they thought. My knees trembled, but I stood and cleared my throat.
“Hi. I’m Wyl Sterling.” I glanced at the professor.
His soft and encouraging expression comforted me.
“Um…my family owns a ranch west of town. After graduating from Blackfield High, I traveled the country for a year before joining the Marines and serving as a cryptologist in the Corps for twenty years. I retired from the Corps and returned to Blackfield to help my brother run the family ranch. Not much else to say except I love horses.” I glanced at the professor's smiling face.
* * *
ROD
Wyl’s deep, resonant voice captivated me.
During his intro, his eye caught mine as he shared his story.
A story I missed most of because his presence captivated me so much.
Nervous when he stood, he eased into his talk and turned to face the students.
If he remained as uneasy as when I first noticed him seated in the back corner, his anxiety either vanished or he covered it well.
As he spoke, the long braid down his back showed.
This guy pushed all my buttons. Even waking those buttons I thought long dormant.
Damn, I longed to know him on a personal level.
But college policy forbids faculty/student relationships.
Besides, a man as handsome as Wyl Sterling is no doubt straight and enjoys a beautiful wife and a couple of kids.
I’m not about to hit on him. It would be a long time before I could trust another man, handsome or not.
Wyl’s words filled the classroom. Then I realized he finished speaking and stood waiting for me to permit him to sit. I coughed to clear my throat. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling.”
Wyl nodded and folded back into his seat.
I shuffled my lecture papers to refocus on the task.
I remembered Wyl saying something about being retired from the Marine Corps after twenty years and about cryptology.
His remaining intro was shrouded in the fantasy my brain tried to create, encouraged by my racing heart.
I could not let myself fall for this handsome man.
Yeah, I know, that train left the station.
“Since each of you shared your story, it’s only fair that I share a bit about myself.
Like Mr. Sterling, I grew up in Blackfield.
I left twenty-five years ago to make my place in the world.
I worked in various corporate jobs until ten years ago, when I moved back to Blackfield to teach at White Buffalo Community College.
I have a doctorate in music and teach Music Appreciation classes.
I live in Blackfield in my historic Bonner Family home. ”
I spent the rest of the class period discussing expectations for the course and answering questions. At the close of the eighty minutes, the students filed out.
After scribbling a few end-of-class notes, I glanced up to find Wyl still seated. A thrill flowed through me. “Did you have a question, Mr. Sterling?” I gathered my book and notes.
Wyl shook his head. “No, sir, Dr. Bonner.” He bent down to pick up a cowboy hat, and again, the long, manly braid flowed down his back.
This handsome man possessed individuality, independence, and self-confidence.
And I reminded myself to stop thinking about Wyl Sterling. He's my student, and off-limits.