Student Nurse Lessons Ch. 7

Andy’s choice and production of dinner scored a winner with Sam; toasted tofu with a mixture of roasted vegetables, brown rice, greens, and a tahini dressing. “Fantastic,” she said, “exactly what I wanted and didn’t even know it,” digging in hungrily. Glancing up and noticing Andy toying with his bowl, she asked “everything ok?”

“Huh? Oh, sure, yeah; just thinking about exams this week; end of term, you know,” and then, as casually as he could manage it, “are you up for a movie tonight?”

“Sure; any suggestions?”

“I was thinking maybe Lone Star; have you seen it? It’s about a sheriff and his small town in Texas, right on the border.”

“Ok, if you think it’s worth watching.”

“It’s a bit old now, but it got good reviews.”

“Ok, fine. Maybe some popcorn? Soda?”

“Sounds good,” and with that Andy rose and busied himself with clearing the table and placing the dishes in the dishwasher.

Later, popcorn and soda in hand, they wandered to the den and Sam set the snacks on the table as Andy cued up the movie. He took his seat on the other end of the couch from Sam. Smiling, she teased him “are we done with dates? No more date movies?”

Andy laughed, “I couldn’t even tell you the names of last week’s movies, but ok…if you insist,” and quickly slid over to sit next to her. The movie began and very soon both were engrossed in it, hardly noticing the diminishing supply of popcorn. Occasionally Andy would lean in for a quick kiss. Each time Sam laughed and reminded him that their lessons were done and that he had apparently understood and applied a lot more than she had taught. And each time he joined in her laugh, relaxing more and more.

But as the movie ended, and as Andy realized that the moment of truth approached, a start, he thought, to a discussion he felt he had to have with his sister, a conversation that would answer the most compelling question he had and that would map their future, he felt his body seem to contract, seem to chill despite the early summer warmth of the evening. “I’m cold,” he said to Sam and welcomed her responding hug. Leaning on her shoulder, reassured, he asked “what did you think of the movie?”

“Very good,” she replied.

Taking a breath and gathering his courage, he asked “what did you think of Sam and Pilar? Do you think they were right?”

“Huh? Ohhh…” as that part of the plot returned to her; the local sheriff, Sam, and the town’s teacher, Pilar, falling in love and making love…Sam recalling how she and Andy had both shifted slightly in their seats during the sex scene. “I, uhhh, well, I…I don’t know. What did you think?”

“I think they were in love. I think they knew it was impossible to stop, to stop loving each other. I think they understood it was their, you know, fate and they couldn’t stop it any more than they could stop the rain.”

Sam looked at him, waited until their eyes met, and said “are we still talking about Sam and Pilar?”

Andy, abashed, knew there was no turning back. “No, I guess not,” and quieter, “I guess not.”

The realization dawning on her, Sam drew back slightly, still meeting his gaze, and said “is that why you picked the movie?” His silence signalling his admission, she sat back, but kept him in her embrace, stunned by her understanding, shocked by its import, by the question Andy was really asking her. Then, slowly, she admitted “it’s ok, Andy, it’s ok. I guess this was inevitable and I’m glad you had the courage to do this. What made you decide?”

“I don’t know. A lot of things. The lessons, obviously, when I realized that you’re really, really hot, Sammy,” and at this she blushed. “And last night, I thought it was a dream, but when I realized that it was you that I had touched, that it was you that invaded my dreams, I…” and couldn’t finish the sentence. “And hanging around dozens of guys all the time, hearing their views of women and sex, like that’s all they’re good for, every one kind of a horn dog ready for sex when any woman says ‘yes’, it occurred to me that we guys have to take some responsibility, some of the load and not leave it to the woman to always have to think it through. So I’m trying to think it through, Sammy.”

Sam could think of nothing to say immediately. She drew back to see her brother at arm’s length, then returned to their cuddle and said “that’s amazing, bro. I’m amazed to hear that from any man. My god, did I teach you that? Did Julie throw some switch in your head?”

Andy smiled, becoming more relaxed, and said “no, if anything I think it’s been my thinking this week, remembering how wonderful last weekend was with you, wondering how that could possibly be a bad thing, thinking of all the other aspects, the things folks never really talk about out loud.”

“We need to think about this, Drew.”

“I know.