Page 87 of Bless My Body

into my room with a bag of popcorn under his arm and a coffee in each hand. My mouth drops open in

surprise.

“What’re you doing here?” I ask excitedly, though still not getting off my bed.

“I wanted to see you. I figured what better way to spend my day than studying for an exam that

isn’t mine.” He hands me one of the coffees. “Plus, I owe you. You helped me study for a few back

when I was a senior.”

“Yeah, but I was usually here when you were studying. You just drove two hours to help me.”

He shrugs like it’s no big deal. But it is to me. “I’ll let you repay me later.” His smirk tells me I’ll

have no problem meeting the requirements of his repayment plan.

“So, what’re we studying?” He puts the bag of popcorn down and pulls my desk chair to the side

of my bed, eyeing the mess I’ve made of all the papers.

“Communications Law, Ethics, and Diversity,” I tell him as I cringe. “It’s easily the hardest class

I’ve ever taken, and it doesn’t help that all the exams are essay questions.”

“You would have a problem with ethics,” he teases.

“Shut up.” He laughs but grabs the textbook I have opened to a chapter review. “I’ve noticed the

professor sometimes uses the chapter review questions on the exams and adds a follow-up question

so we have to explain more. I figured if I can at least answer the chapter review questions, I’ll get

some credit.”

“Interesting way of thinking, Red.” He chuckles at my reasoning. “Only you.”

He reads through the questions before asking which one I’m on. “Ok, I’ll read you the question,

then you write your answer. I’ll grade it, and we will go from there.”

I cock an eyebrow at him. “Yes, Professor.”

“If you get the answers right, I might bend you over that desk and reward you.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” We go through question after question with him reviewing

my answers and offering suggestions when he thinks it’s appropriate. It’s actually nice getting his

help. This obviously isn’t his subject, but he reads through the sections about each question while I’m

writing my answers.

By the time we get through three of the five chapters the exam will cover, we’ve finished our

coffees and gone through half the bag of pre-made popcorn he brought. He offers to order takeout, and

I’m never one to refuse free food.