Audrey knew she must look as giddy as she felt. “There’s a matching saucer in there too. The only catch is that you can’t put them in the dishwasher.”
“I would never put something as special as this in the dishwasher. Thank you, Audrey. This is a very thoughtful gift, although I’m still not quite surewhyyou’ve brought me a gift.”
“Anyone who spends time with me ends up receiving random ceramics. I love gifting them almost as much as I love making them.”
“Well, it’s very nice.” Michelle was still touching the cup, tracing her fingers over the pattern on its surface, and maybe Audrey was naive, but she’d been around Michelle enough to suspect she didn’t often fake her emotions. If she was bored, irritated, frustrated, angry ... she didn’t hide it. Her eyes had always been so expressive, and the delight brimming in them now felt like a gift in itself.
“I thought you could get some use out of it.” Audrey stood because, as much as she would’ve liked to sit here and watch Michelle admire her new teacup or, well ... just spend more time with her in general, she really needed to get to class.
“I’ll get lots of use out of it,” Michelle said. “Thank you again. I love it.”
That was the second time she’d said so, and Audrey didn’t even try to hide how happy it made her. “I’m glad. Enjoy the rest of your morning.”
She practically skipped out of Michelle’s office, and her mood was still sky high as she walked into the studio in Kravitz Hall, ready to assist her ceramics students at the pottery wheel. Laya was already there, sitting at one of the wheels near the front of the room. Audrey signed hello to her as she walked to the desk, where she left her bag during class. There was no lectern in this room, only several rows of pottery wheels.
“Good morning, Dr. Lind.” Laya signed her words as she spoke. They’d been doing this a lot over the last few weeks, and Audrey was picking up some new phrases. “You look happy today.”
“I am.” Audrey smiled as she made the sign for happy. “I just gave someone a gift, and she really liked it, and it made me really happy.”
“A special someone?” Laya asked, making a heart with her hands.
“No,” Audrey said, although her cheeks warmed, belying her answer. “Just a friend.”
“Can I show you something?” Laya asked.
“Sure.” Audrey walked over to Laya’s pottery wheel.
Laya held up the mug she’d been working on in class. “I’m having trouble with the handle. It keeps drooping.”
“Ah, I see what you mean. I think if you make your handle a little thicker, that will help it keep its shape. We can practice today if you like.”
“That would be great.” Laya signed, “Thank you.”
Audrey signed, “You’re welcome” just as another student approached with a question. This was such a great group. They were so engaged and eager to learn. Idly, her mind wandered to the way Michelle’s students had tuned out during her art history class.
How she wished those students could have known the Dr. Thompson who’d taught Audrey twelve years ago ...
As September drew to a close, Michelle and Audrey had tea together in Michelle’s office again to go over ideas to present at the next Sustainability Committee meeting. They’d spent more time together over the last few weeks, often lingering in each other’s offices between classes, and Michelle couldn’t decide whether she loved or dreaded the way her body perked up every time she was around Audrey.
“Did you see the email from Brad this morning?” Audrey rolled her eyes as she lifted her teacup. “It doesn’t sound like they made a single decision after we left last time.”
“Does that actually surprise you?” Michelle heard the bitterness in her voice. “Ironically, the university could probably save energy by eliminating the committee altogether rather than paying to run the lights during these pointless meetings.”
“Well, Thursday’s meeting won’t be pointless if I have anything to say about it.” Audrey tapped her phone, bringing up a list of bullet points. “And reducing unnecessary power usage is actually on my list. Lights in the classrooms could be put on timers with motion sensors, so if no activity is detected in a room after a certain amount of time, the lights shut off. Have you ever noticed how many lights get left on in empty classrooms?”
“Mm.” Michelle knew she didn’t sound very encouraging.
“You don’t think they’ll go for it?”
“I don’t think they’ll find room in the budget to install the sensors.”
Audrey threw her hands up in the air. “Then what’s the point of the committee?”
“Indeed,” Michelle mused. “Now you’re starting to catch on. What else is on your list?”
“I have several ideas for reducing plastic use.”
“That’s sounds promising,” Michelle said. “Especially if any of your ideas have little up-front cost.”
