I hope you enjoy this. I appreciate non-flame reviews.
Chapter Four:
Wright was studying Roe V. Wade when Reid called.
"I need your help," he said.
"It is always interesting to see what you think I can help you with," she said.
"Football," he said. "I got Redskins tickets for my birthday and I invited the girl I like to the game with me."
"Wait, when was your birthday?" she asked. "I would like to have treated you to a cupcake."
"It doesn't matter. I know everything there is to know about the Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots. I have read three books on the sport. I just don't know how to act at a game."
"Is acting like yourself out of the question?"
"No one wants to hear me spout off facts during a leisurely event," he said.
"I grew up with a dad who worked in a steal mill and swore like sailor during football games when the Pats didn't win. I'm not sure how much I can help you."
"What are common phrases to use then while cheering?" he asked.
She thought for a moment. "When the redskins are playing defense, you can shout 'sack him!'"
"Who?"
"The quarterback, especially if he doesn't throw immediately."
"Okay, got it."
"For the offense, when the quarterback keeps moving instead of throwing the ball, just shout 'throw!'"
"Thanks. What else?"
"When the defense lets the other team get a lot of yardage, yell 'stop him!'"
"Good," he said.
"When the refs make a call you don't like, boo him."
"But what if it's a good call?"
"You're cheering for the Redskins to win, not for the refs to be competent," she said. "Not everything about football is logical."
"I see that."
"Look, I never really enjoyed watching football so please don't blame me if your date doesn't like what you shout. Odds are she'll just be happy to be with you. What's the girl's name?"
"J.J. Short for Jennifer Jareau."
"That's cute," she said. "Please tell me how it turns out."
"I will," he said. "Thanks for the help."
"Anytime Spencer," she said hung up.
Wright saw Darla watching her.
"Interesting conversation," she said.
"How bad was my advice?"
"Not terrible," she said. "But not good either."
"I tried," she said with a sigh.
"Your tutor has a brain the size of Jupiter, yet he still doesn't know all the basics of human interaction."
"He's just wired a little differently," she said.
"What's your perfect date?"
"I'm old-fashioned," Wright said. "Dinner and a movie. You?"
"Roller derby," she said. "I love watching girls try to knock each other down and then guess what injuries they'll suffer during their life time."
"And you think my tutor is weird."
"To each their own," she said and went into the kitchen.
Wright returned to her notes. She hoped Spencer enjoyed his date.
…
"I don't want to talk about it," he said as they sat down for their usual study session.
"I thought you were a man of your word, Spencer," she said teasingly.
"Please Chloe," he said looking her in the eye. "Can we skip it?"
"Okay, Spencer," she said. "We're going over the what is not protected by free speech."
"Let's see what cases you're reviewing then," he said.
They spent the rest of the night discussing law even as Wright was desperate to know what happened on that date and how much of the bad was her fault.
…
Wright had the kitchen table covered in text books as she tried to complete a massive paper on the history of libel laws. Amy came in and threw a tabloid paper in front of her.
"You tutor is in love," she said.
It was a picture of Lila Archer staring dreamily at Reid.
"He probably won't tell me anything about it," she said. "You know how private he is.'
"It doesn't hurt to ask," she said.
Wright's phone rang. It was Reid.
"Hey Spencer," she said casually. "Amy saw your face in a tabloid."
"Oh, that photo," he said. "Lila is special. We're exchanging letters for now. I'm going to try to meet her at Christmas time."
"You know, I've known you for almost a year and I still don't know that much about you," she said. "Like, do you have siblings?"
"No," he said. "My mom always said it would mean messing with perfection. I don't know whether you have siblings either."
"We only discuss law when we're together," she said. "Let's make plans to over break to just meet and talk about anything but law."
"Sure," he said. "I know you just avoided my question about whether you had any siblings. I expect an answer when we meet."
"Count on it," she said.
"Anyway, I wanted to call to let you know I can't make our next study session as I agreed to help my mentor give a lecture to new recruits. Do you want to marathon study now?"
"That sounds great," she said shifting notes around.
"What subject is giving you the hardest time?"
"The usual, case statistics," she said.
Amy and Darla were both watching her by the time she hung up.
"You haven't told him about Brad?" Amy asked.
"My four-year-old brother and mother were killed while my mother was drunk-driving when I was a baby doesn't come up in conversations much," she said.
"It's an important part of who you are," Darla said.
Wright rolled her eyes.
"Sometimes I think med school doesn't keep you two busy enough."
"You have an avoidance problem," Darla said.
"You chew your nails," she said.
"Honestly Chloe, where do you see this relationship going after you graduate?" Amy asked.
"I don't like to think ahead."
"Liar," Darla said. "You know exactly which precinct you want to be placed in when you become a prosecutor."
"I don't want to think that far ahead, okay?" she said. "I just want Spencer to be my friend. Nothing more and nothing less."
"I just hope this doesn't turn into My Best Friend's Wedding," Darla said.
"You two watch too many romantic comedies."
Darla and Amy both sighed and left.
Wright returned to her paper. Her friends meant well and only wanted what was best for her. Spencer was her friend, and she was afraid if she pushed that boundary too far, she might lose him.