“Well, enjoy your cookies and tea.” He turned around. “Oh, and don’t work too hard. Those papers will still be there next week.”
Rory sat at the small breakroom table and had his snack. It was five, so no one except the janitors and the few professors who taught evening classes were in the building. The sweet chocolate cookies mixed well with the tea. Rory always enjoyed tea and cookies with his mother.
“I would like to share this quiet time with someone special.” The words slipped out. He imagined Bernard here, having tea with him.
Rory returned to his office and pored over papers. His students impressed him with their grasp of his lessons.
“I thought I’d find you here.” A voice came from the door.
Rory turned around.
“Oh, hey, Sophia,” he said.
“I see you’re hard at work as usual.”
“The end of the semester is coming, and I have to make sure all my grading is caught up so when I give the final, I can grade them and be done with it.”
“Sounds like fun.” She smiled.
She had a beautiful smile. Sophia treated him with kindness. It was like having a little sister. Their relationship couldn’t be any other way.
“So, we’re going out tonight,” she said. “I know you don’t usually go out with us. But I wanted to ask anyway.”
Dr. Sanchez’s words echoed in his mind. He needed to relax and enjoy some time away from work.
“That actually sounds like fun,” he said. “I’d love to go.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened and she grinned. “That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah, I should get out of the house and this office once in a while.”
“Fantastic, we’ll meet you at Shaffers at six-thirty?”
“I’ll be there.” He smiled.
“Great, see you there,” she said, turning to go and sounding genuinely happy he would be going with them.
In the three years working with the team, Rory had been out with them only once or twice. They meant well and he needed to get over the age gap. There was no reason they couldn’t hang out.
*
RORY WALKED INTOShaffers at a quarter till seven. Patrons occupied every table. He tried to find his colleagues, but too many people blocked his path.
“We’re over here.” Davi’s voice rang out.
Davi stood near a table. He waved his arms to get Rory’s attention.
“Sorry I’m late,” Rory said, sitting between Jeff and Sophia.
“We’re just glad you’re here,” Jeff said.
“Where’s Nicolas?” Rory asked.
“Oh, he’s at the bar getting a drink,” Sophia said.
Rory ordered appetizers for the table and a gin and tonic for himself.
“It’s nice that you finally decided to hang out,” Davi said. “We like hanging out with you.”
