“Hello my love,” he said softly.
“Hey baby,” she purred.
“You look absolutely beautiful this morning.”
“Well, my man makes sure I get all the loving I need, and then I sleep so well lying next to him,” she smiled.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“I’d love some. I also,” she paused and looked rather embarrassed. “Baby, please take your time when you get coffee.”
“Is everything OK?” he asked cautiously.
She giggled. “I’m not used to eating a 16 oz ribeye. The protein you give me is — well — let’s just say it’s more easily digestible.”
He laughed as she confessed her intestinal distress.
“It’s OK. It’s like we’re really a couple, now.”
“I do like having two separate bathrooms in the Commons. You have no idea how nasty I can get,” she mused.
“Wait! You mean it stinks when you take a crap?” he asked in a mocking voice.
She giggled.
“I’ll go slow then. By the way, you have no idea how many times I’ve needed to fart in front of you.” They both burst out laughing.
“Well, not to burst your bubble, but it tends to come out when you’re asleep,” she said smiling.
“Dammit,” he muttered. “Seriously?”
She nodded her head. “The Chinese takeout was amazing, but you should probably avoid the spicy pork dumplings next time.”
“Since I enjoy lying here with you more than the spicy dumplings — which are really good — consider your request granted,” he grinned.
Andy slid out of bed, threw on some clothes, and stepped into the bathroom before exiting the room. Sara watched him close the door to the room, and then headed to the bathroom herself.
_______________________________________________________
As Andy got downstairs, he was surprised to see Kail at the breakfast nook, deep in conversation with the Judge and Helen.
“Good morning, Andrew,” said his grandmother cheerfully.
“This is not the crew I expected to see up this morning,” he confessed as he poured two cups of coffee.
“I’m trying to recruit my next clerk,” said the Judge matter-of-factly. “Since Sara now has other career plans, I wanted to move quickly. Someone of Miss Sunderland’s caliber will get snatched up very quickly.”
Andy nodded. “Kail is an astonishingly talented and capable woman.”
“Andy?” asked Kail sheepishly. “Would you join us for a second? I’ve been talking with the OG’s, but I’d like your opinion, too.”
Andy smiled at her. “Power Girl, you know I’m your bitch. What do you need from your boy Dreamy?”
He slid in next to her, and noted that the witty reply he’d been counting on was strangely absent. Seeing the look on her face, he lovingly put his arm around her. He was stunned when she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Kail, is everything OK?” he asked softly.
After a pause, she replied. “It is. I — well the thing is — I’m having second thoughts about law school.”
“Let me guess,” he quipped. “Stunt double for Cara Dune in the Mandalorian?”
She laughed, and Andy felt her relax a bit as she did so.
“No, though that would kick ass,” she admitted. “The thing is, after being around the Groton guys, and Coach Moses, and thinking about my rowing career being over — well — I think I want to coach crew.”
“You’d be an amazing coach,” a nodding Andy said quietly.
Totally missing what he said, Kail launched into her explanation. “See with John Moses on campus, the whole thing has changed. Plus, the way you’ve helped all four of us — hell — all seven of us when you include Jeannie, Sid the Sloth, and HayLo; I want to do that too. I’ve seen it done now, and I think that would be kick ass.”
Andy turned and looked at her. “Kail. It’s an amazing idea. You should pursue this if that’s what you want to do.”
She looked at him, stunned. “You don’t think it’s crazy?”
“No, I don’t. You’re a strong woman who is smart, dedicated, and a natural leader. The thought of you being the female John Moses sounds fantastic.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I’m just not sure how to tell my mom and dad.”
“When will you see then next?” asked Helen.
“They’re coming for Ellen and Christopher’s wedding,” she said. “They’re dying to meet everyone. My mom cries every time I talk to her now. She’s really happy for me — for the woman I’m becoming. I’m afraid she’ll try to molest Dreamy when she meets him,” she laughed.
“Have you talked to John and Coach O’Neill?” asked Andy.
“No — I mean – not yet. I want to. Coach O’Neill is great, and John Moses totally rocks.”
“Andrew is right. Talk with them. Tell them what you’re thinking. With most professions, it takes one to know one. They’ll give you an honest assessment,” said the Judge kindly. “By the way, you would make an excellent lawyer.”
“Really?”
“Young lady — you are smart, loyal, you work hard, and have wonderful friends. For that matter, you’ll succeed at whatever you put your mind to,” he said matter-of-factly.
“What do your crew mates say?” asked Helen. “They know you best, and they love you dearly. If this is a crazy idea, I know they would tell you.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. “My mom and dad love me, but they weren’t really sure what to do with me. I think being a lawyer was the easy answer. I don’t want to disappoint them — but I’ve never really had people believe in me like your family does — like my friends do.”
“Kail dear, they will want you to pursue your passion. It’s all any parent wants,” said Helen.
“I want to do for other young women what you’ve done for me,” she admitted. “I think coaching is the best way to do that. Andy, you have no idea just how outcast we were. I’m afraid you’ll get a taste of it when everybody comes back to campus.”
“If that happens, we’ll deal with it together,” said Andy. “Besides, you have a great team, and a really good dude who thinks the world of you.”
With tears in her eyes, Kail looked at him. “I do. You’re right.” She looked at Helen, “What time is brunch? I want to talk to Gracie first, I think.”
“Brunch is at 11 AM,” replied Helen. “And Kail; please know how proud we are of you. You’re taking a big step. Get good counsel, and pursue your passion. You are an amazingly passionate young woman. The thought of you not pursing something with all the zest and zeal you possess would make the world a markedly poorer place. You have a world of gifts and talents to share with other young women.”
Kail let out a long sigh, and then returned to form. “So seriously, I’ve got to wait until 11 AM to eat? That may be no Bueno for Power Girl. You feel me, OG’s? I know my boy Dreamy does.”
Andy got up, and grabbed some left-over steak from last night out of the fridge. He nuked it, and plated it to bring to Kail. “Here you go. I’m sure there’s more that can be found if that won’t hold you over.”
“Yeah well, some of us don’t get nightly doses of Vitamin A,” she quipped.
Andy poured out his now cold coffee, and got two new mugs to take with him.
“Andrew, would you and Sara mind running to Bova’s before you go to Mass? With the extra guests, I don’t want to burden Laura unduly. The order should be ready for you to pick up.”
Andy nodded, and headed upstairs.
_______________________________________________________
He heard the music coming from the bathroom. He grabbed his clothes for the day, undressed, and headed to join Sara in the shower. She was dancing in the shower, at least as much as the smaller space would allow her to do so, while listening to Ariana Grande’s Positions. Andy did not want to embarrass her, and since she had not heard him enter, he coughed to get her attention. She smiled as she turned to him.