I turned, looking up at the chair of my department, Dorothy Pearson. As always, she was dressed in an impeccable pantsuit. She’d had the same simple bob and square glasses since I joined the faculty fifteen years ago. Our department housed a few related disciplines, with film studies and cultural studies taking center stage, but Dorothy was a tried and true administrator much more than she had ever been an academic, and she ran an incredibly tight ship.
“Just easing back in,” I said. “Printing off my syllabus and that sort of thing. How was your year?”
Dorothy nodded curtly. I at least knew she wouldn’t ask about the book I was supposedly writing. She’d made clear years ago that my area of study was less than interesting to her, although I would argue you couldn’t understand the history of film without understanding the history of gay people in film, too.
“My year was fine,” she replied. “I’m glad I caught you here, though, Rory. We changed some of the curriculum while you were gone, updated the expectations for advising graduate students, that sort of thing. If you’ll join me in my office, I’ll need to fill you in.”
I glanced at my stack of papers, then up to Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe. “Today isn’t great for me. Maybe we could make an appointment next week?”
“Next week is booked. Come, Rory. Now is best.”
I would have objected, but of course, a woman like Dorothy Pearson didn’t wait for anyone, and she was headed back down the hallway toward her own office before I knew it.
Sighing, I grabbed a notepad and pen and went to follow. I hated that this meant I wouldn’t be able to show up for Frankie later, but I also knew this was what we had signed up for. My tenure at the college meant that we’d be able to provide for Ava, no matter what. I might have had secure employment, but I still needed to invest time and keep things running smoothly on campus.
We’d find a new normal. Until then, I just needed to keep my head down.
Nice and steady, Rory,I told myself as I walked down the hall.It might be stormy out there, but you can be a safe port.
I had a family to care for now, after all, and that was the only thing that mattered.
