I Woke Up 344 by M.P. Arsent
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Which triggered the thought that it might be someone outside of the school who was just using the school to get at me. So, who did that leave me with? The only ones that sprang to mind were Larry Brown's father and Andros. Neither of which seemed really likely. The more I thought about it the more it seemed that Adams was the likely candidate.
"I see the wheels turning Den. What do they grind out?"
"Only the obvious answer Gordon and I'm not going to speak it."
"Because you have no proof."
"Right. Later, guys, I need to haul ass to Logic."
The class itself went well today, right up until the end when Mrs Armbruster motioned me over.
"Seems the rumors persist Mr Sawyer."
"Not much I can do about that without making things worse I think."
"Likely not, but I did have words with Dean Evans. He didn't have much of a verbal reply, but the look on his face spoke volumes."
"I can well imagine that he is not happy with the situation."
"I would say not."
"But he doesn't have anything concrete to proceed on. If he did I'm sure that action would have been taken."
"I have little doubt, Mr Sawyer. Regardless, I thought you should know that he is aware."
"Thank you, Mrs. Armbruster, Though it seems I'm just going have to let chips fall where they may in this situation."
"Indeed."
I got on my way back to the apartment and settled in to do some work until it was time to start supper.
When Karl got home I had supper just about ready, and as almost always he could see that something was bothering me.
"What now Den?"
"Same as before, the rumors continue to fly, but according to Mrs Armbruster, Dean Evans is now aware of it."
"What do you think he will do about it?"
"Not a whole lot he can do unless he can pin it directly on somebody."
"Meaning Adams."
"I didn't say that, though I have to admit he is the most likely suspect."
"Who else would be doing it?"
"Could be any number of people trying to distract me from the gymnastics. The team is pretty strong though so my being distracted might not have that big an impact."
"Bullshit lover. The team sees you distracted and they get distracted over the whole thing. The season could go to hell in a handbasket pretty damn quick if that happens."
"Yeah, I suppose. I've just got to put it out of my mind as much as I can."
"Good luck with that lover. We ready to eat?"
"Yeah just about."
After supper was eaten and cleaned up we hit the books until we crashed.
Thursday and we were at it again. We got over to campus and got the laps done without any problems this morning. Back to the apartment and Karl was soon out the door and I had time to kill once again. I put it to use on the game assignment. I had pretty much roughed out the game itself and had a decent description of the plot. Now it was down to game specifics.
11 o'clock finally rolled around and I hit the road back to campus. Creative Writing saw a few more stories read and critiqued and class was done. So over to the student union and lunch on the bench.
It was Eddie and Steve who stopped today.
"So this Watson guy stopped us this morning and asked about the team being gay."
"And you told him what?"
"Just like we agreed, that we could only speak for ourselves."
"Which is what he pretty much expected I'm sure. What's got me going is that he agreed with me when I told him this was a non-story. I wonder why he is still asking around?"
"Due diligence?"
"Yeah, I suppose."
What I thought to myself though was that his editor might well have an agenda. Something to ask Bob if I saw him.
"Later Den we have to haul ass."
"Later."
I was soon on my way over to Psych. The class taken care of I made my way over to the rec center. I worked the rings and the high bar today and seeing as today was an open practice, I only threw my doubles.
A few laps in the pool and then I hit the whirlpool and then the showers. I gave Karl his heads-up call and headed for the apartment.
"Hey lover, anything new going on?"
"Nope SSDD." (Same Shit Different Day).
"Well, at least there's nothing new to get you going."
"For which I suppose I should be grateful."
"The way this year has been going so far I'd say so."
We shortly sat down to supper and again after things were cleaned up hit the books.
Friday morning and we started all over again. Laps done, fed, and showered, we were back to campus.
Freshman English and Mr. Alcott gave me a look when I entered the class. It looked like the rumors were getting more widespread each day. The class went as usual, but Mr Alcott did motion me aside as I was on my way out.
"Mr Sawyer, I've heard some rather disturbing things recently. Would you care to rebut?"
"Sir, I don't know what you've heard nor the source you've heard it from. Further, I don't want to know the source. I have heard rumors that my character and integrity are somewhat in question. I have no proof to offer you other than for you to speak to my past instructors, the majority of whom I have no doubt will be able to reassure you."
"You say the majority, but not all?"
"Sir, you might want to have words with Dean Evans on the subject of last year."
"And what will he have to say about last year?"
"The Dean has asked that I not talk about it as it is my understanding that there is more than 1 version going around of the circumstances involved."
"I see. Well, it sounds as though I had better have a few words with the Dean. Off with you now."
I headed down the hall to the Public Speaking class. Mr Burnell was waiting for us all to be seated. I wasn't speaking today so I just sat there and listened and critiqued.
Then it was over to the student union for lunch and bench time.
While I was sitting there I saw Bob Watson walking by.
"Hey Bob, got a question for you."
"That's usually my line Dennis."
"Yeah well, I'm just curious why you're still chasing the team being gay rumor?"
"Because my editor and the faculty advisor want it."
"Who is your editor and faculty advisor?"
"The editor is John Hasting, he's a senior, and the faculty advisor is Mr Nathan Grandise. What's going through your mind here Dennis?"
"What's going through my mind is we both think this is a non-story, so why are they pushing for it?"
"You think there might be something there?"
"I have no damn idea, at this point."
I saw the look on Bob's face at that point, and to my eye, it was very thoughtful.
"I see the wheels turning Bob. Whatever conclusion you come to take it damn easy."
"You might well follow your own advice Den."
"Oh, I intend to look very carefully before I do any leaping."
"Compare noted sometime next week?"
"I'm sure we'll run into each other."
Bob got on his way and I headed over to Logic.
I paid as much attention as I could to Mrs Armbruster, but I kept thinking of the two names Bob had given me.
The class eventually was over and I headed for the apartment. When I got there I checked to see if there was anything set aside for supper. There wasn't so I thought we would go out to eat.
When Karl got there and saw I had nothing going on the stove he turned to me.
"Something on your mind or just didn't feel like cooking?"
"Both."
"Do I want to know?"
"I'm thinking not at this point."
"Then where for supper?"
"We haven't been to Riskins since we came back."
"Then we both better change."
We both got into a better set of clothes and then headed on out. When we got to Riskins, it was busy on a Friday night. We had to wait a bit for a table.
We finally got seated and a waiter we weren't familiar with stepped up to the table.
"Good evening, I'm Arthur and I'll be your server this evening. May I get either of you a before-dinner cocktail?"
"No thank you, Arthur. We're ready to order. I'll have the 16-ounce New York Strip steak, medium well, and red vinaigrette dressing for my salad and a Diet Coke please."
"Make that two but with Thousand Island dressing for me."
"Very good sirs. I'll be back in just a moment."
Our salads and drinks were soon delivered and we started on those. I looked around at some point and saw the maitre'de headed toward the empty table beside us. I didn't think much of it until I saw who was following him.