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“Gaytopia?” He raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like an amusement park.”
“More like a carnival. If you can avoid the freak show, we’ve got great cotton candy and some really fun rides.” Nate’s eyes twinkled. “Speaking of which, a trip to Atlanta might be the cure. A guys’ weekend. If the gym won’t help shed those nerves, maybe a handsome stud will.”
Julian laughed, shaking his head. “Tempting, but I politely decline your matchmaking efforts.”
“I’m not suggesting anything long-term.” Nate leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Look, we’re immersed in a sea of young, vibrant energy. Find an outlet for your… extracurricular activities, because the constant exposure can make situations here… challenging.”
Julian bristled. “I don’t like your implication.”
“Not a slight against you, Jules. It’s human nature.” Nate held up his hands defensively. “You need to get out of your office and unwind. If sex isn’t the solution, hop on your bike and peddle out the angst. Believe me, if you don’t find ways to relax, plenty of guys here will offer a helping hand, Professor Everett.”
“I can control myself.” Julian crossed his arms. “It helps that I have no romantic interest in any of them.”
“That Alex Bennett is an intriguing one,” Nate said, his tone casual, as if he were observing the weather.
“Hmm, is he?” Julian attempted to mirror his friend’s nonchalance, but when he shifted in his seat, its familiar squeaking betrayed him.
“Don’t bullshit me,” Nate said in a singsong voice. “I saw your face light up when he equated love with binary code.”
“He’s a bright student.” Julian rolled his shoulders, trying to maintain a nonchalant demeanor. “Doesn’t mean I want to throw him over my shoulder and drag him to my cave.”
“Yet you’re proving my point. There’s lots of temptation around here.”
Julian lurched forward, but Nate raised his hand to silence the protest.
“Hear me out, Jules, as your friend and as your chair. You have more integrity than half the sad sacks in this department. You had it twenty years ago when we navigated grad school together, but you’ve also been through a lot this past year. I worry about you. I’m only cautioning you to be careful. To stay alert.”
Another knock rattled Julian’s fraying composure. He snapped to attention, grateful for the interruption.
Peering around the door was Alex, wearing a sheepish expression, his glasses askew. “Sorry, Professor. I can come back later.”
Julian gave a gravelly cough, smoothing out a paper on his desk. “N-no, Mr. Bennett. It’s fine. Please, come in.” His attempt at a casual smile probably looked more like one of those Gaytopia freak shows Nate had mentioned.
Nate retrieved his gym bag and rose. “I’ll be on my way then.” With a pointed look, he added, “Remember, stay alert.” He wagged a playful finger as a parting gesture.
“Take a seat, Alex…. er, Mr. Bennett.” Julian pushed away his day planner, along with Nate’s silly warning.
Alex sat down, his backpack thudding to the floor. “I wanted to apologize for my, um, spacey behavior in class. Then I slipped into geek speak, and, well, I didn’t mean to derail the discussion.”
“On the contrary. I appreciated your perspective,” Julian said. “Great literature can be equated to a well-designed program, I think. Each has a logic, a structure, and an ability to transport us somewhere unexpected.” He leaned across his desk. “How could I persuade you to add a major in literature?”
Alex pressed his lips together, stifling a laugh as his gaze dropped to Julian’s forearms. A blush crept up Julian’s neck as he tucked his arms under his desk. He’d spilled coffee on himself earlier, and rolling up his shirt sleeves must not have concealed the stains.
“I’m graduating.” Alex’s focus shifted back. “No time for another major.”
“Ah, saving the dreaded, yet required, literature course until the bitter end.” Julian laughed. “How uncommon.”
“Maybe some of that’s true, but I also want to succeed. It’s important to me.”
A slight waver tinged Alex’s voice, piquing Julian’s interest. “Is it imperative for a computer scientist to master the nuances of literature?”
“Sure!” When he straightened, his voice regained its normal brightness. “We create narratives, too, just with data or code, and… I’m doing it again.” He deflated with exasperation. “Doing well in your class is important because I’m dyslexic. This isn’t just about a grade. It’s validation I belong here. That I can hack it.”
Vulnerability seemed to mark the slight downturn of Alex’s mouth. Julian knew basic facts about dyslexia, but not how to relate to his student’s experience. That was, he feared, another failing of his teaching. “You’ve found success in your studies. How do you manage in other classes, especially with coding?”
“A combination of things. Text readers help because they read the code aloud to me. Coding itself is helpful because I learn better by doing. That’s where I’m falling behind in your class. The way to really understand literature is by discussing it, and I’m struggling to keep up with the reading. I’ve relied pretty heavily on audiobooks.” His breath caught. “Hope that’s not considered cheating.”
“Using resources to adapt to your needs is perfectly acceptable. Commendable, actually, and audiobooks can enhance the experience. There’s a multi-narrator version of Bram Stoker’sDraculaI listen to every Halloween.”
