After a long week of anticipation, Friday has arrived in Seattle. Athena has decided to return to classes on Monday. She met up with her clinical professor two days ago over tea and thinks back to their conversation.
"Come on in Athena and please shut the door behind you." Professor Alex is standing behind their desk, taking a last-minute glance at their inbox. No messages are requiring an immediate response.
Athena walks into the classroom, her adrenaline levels slowly rising as she prepares for the worst. Her mind conjures up ten scenarios on how Professor Alex might make her life hell on earth, similar to what Dean Maze-Gardena has already accomplished. Each scenario holds a unique comeback to protect Athena's sanity.
The chair closest to Professor Alex's desk beckons Athena forward. She sits quietly while the professor closes their laptop and clears the throat. Silence engulfs the room like a shadow and a kind smile adorns Professor Alex's face.
"Your absence in class has not gone unnoticed, Miss Athena. And your email message sounded urgent. What may I assist you with?"
Professor Alex's question catches Athena off guard. She shakes her head in astonishment and a sense of surprise. Before she can gather her thoughts, Professor Alex invites Athena for a walk outside. Athena responds to Professor Alex with a hesitant voice.
"Yes, walking outside sounds ideal." She rubs her eyes with the left palm of her hand. This awkward moment could not possibly get worse. Professor Alex makes it to the door first and holds it open for Athena.
Once the pair has reached the main walkway of Seattle University, Athena starts answering Professor Alex's question.
"Professor, I have recently been diagnosed with a chronic illness and will require accommodation once I start my therapy. The type of accommodation I will need is still a mystery to me. Since you are my clinical instructor, what will happen if I am unable to meet my clinical hours this quarter?"
Professor Alex looks up towards the sky and pauses for a brief moment before answering Athena. "Assuming your therapy impedes your ability to meet your hours, you can ask for an extension into the winter quarter. Granted, you will need to varnish proof of therapy and communicate with your site supervisor. If you would like, I can act as a liaison between you and your supervisor. It is my job as your professor after all." There is a smile on Professor Alex's face.
Athena's worries start melting away and lets her guard down. It is clear, to Athena, that Professor Alex is in her corner and will make sure she can meet her hours. Life is looking bright once again. Athena's attention is drawn back to the present moment by a knock on her front door.
She turns the front left burner of the stove off, wipes her hands on a dishtowel, and dashes towards the front door. She looks out the peephole and finds Carson standing on the porch. There is a small grin on his face as he waits for the door to open.
"Athena, I know you are standing behind the door. Kindly let me in please." His voice sounds light-hearted and upbeat. Athena is taken aback since the time is early in the day and Carson is usually in class at three in the afternoon. She opens the door and lets Carson inside.
"What is with the happy attitude and surprising me with an early arrival?" The couple exchanges a quick kiss on the lips after Carson removes his shoes. He gives Athena a wink of the eye while answering her question.
"I have a surprise for you." He smells something brewing in the kitchen and asks, "is that freshly ground cinnamon and sugar I smell? Are you making horchata for tonight's dinner, my sweet?" He hugs Athena. She is really curious now, but, answers Carson and plays matches his happy mood.
"I am relieved you are feeling jovial, on a Friday. Ordinarily, the rigors of Law School and taking care of me sour your mood by the time Friday comes along. And you said you have a surprise for me, may I ask where this surprise is?"
"How long will it take you to finish making the drinks? The surprise is waiting for you at another location." Carson is trying to cover up June's arrival in Seattle. He has roughly twenty minutes before her plan lands and would like to make a round trip...picking up Athena, getting June from the airport, and making it to his parent's house for dinner.
"I need ten more minutes. Should I pack everything up for dinner tonight? Are we going to make an extra stop on our way to Luis' and Hector's?" Athena is sharp and picks up on Carson's sneaky behavior.
"There is no getting around it, yes, we are making an extra stop on our way to dinner. I suggest bringing everything you need for tonight. I would appreciate not having to drive back here once we leave. May I offer you a hand, my lady?" He is still happy and trying to contain his excitement.
Athena starts walking towards the kitchen as she addresses Carson, "your lady would appreciate having a second pair of tastebuds. I will have you taste test the horchata and hibiscus beverage before I pack them up. Please let me know what you think of them. I am taking a quick shower and getting ready for tonight." She hands Carson a cup of ice and gestures towards the refrigerator. As she starts leaving the kitchen, she gives Carson a hug and a quick kiss on his cheek.
Ten minutes later Carson and Athena have left the house. The beverages are nestled cozily in an insulated cooler, Athena has butterflies in her stomach, and the sun is trying to poke out from behind the clouds. Carson's infectious rapture has rubbed off on her, replacing the curiosity she held regarding the surprise.
As Carson turns his car onto the highway, heading in the opposite direction of Tacoma, Athena starts piecing together where they are headed. Her suspicion is confirmed once the couple passes the first road sign.