"Oh my God! Really, Ashley?" I heard Taylynn, my dorm mate, say behind me. I rolled my eyes at her voice. I liked her, but she had a way of getting on my nerves. This was one of those moments.
Smiling sheepishly as I turned around to face her, I said, "I can read it though, can't I?"
"I'm sure you and several others already have. That's probably why it's still up there," Taylynn said with a smirk.
I just smiled and mildly agreed.
"Well, I gotta get to class. See you later."
"Yeah," I answered and turned back around to the ad once again. I read it once more, then, turning my head both ways to make sure nobody would see, I ripped it off the bulletin board, put it in my bag, and headed immediately to the art department.
I was nervous when I walked inside. I did not know where to go. I stood looking around for a minute before a tall thirty-something slender guy came from around the corner. He was dressed in slacks and a dress shirt. His tie hung loosely around his neck. He was reading what looked like a memo when, right before he almost bumped into me, he looked up.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Good thing I looked."
I smiled and said, "It's okay."
"You look lost, miss. May I help you?"
"Well, I'm... I'm..." I reached into my bag and pulled out the ad and continued, "I'm Looking for Professor Dubin."
When I looked at him, holding the ad, his eyes got wider as he looked me over. It made me a little uneasy, but I had already made up my mind. I should have expected it. I knew then I was standing in front of the professor who'd posted the ad.
"You found him. And the ad I see. Please, follow me."
Now I really was nervous. I assumed he was taking me to his office. I was now beginning to second guess my decision. I really needed the money, however.
I was right. He opened the door to his office and said, "Please sit... Miss?"
"Ashley Duncan."
"Miss Duncan, you do realize what the job entails, correct?"
"Well, yes, I do Professor Dubin. It clearly states on the flyer what I'd be doing."
"Oh, I think you know it's more than that Miss Duncan."
He was right. I did know it. "I won't mind, if that is what you are trying to insinuate professor."
Truth was, I really was not going to mind because I was going to be with a group of my peers. What I actually did mind was the professor would be there also. I understood he had to be, though. It was his job. Now, he was about to hire me to do a job for him.
"Here's a copy of my schedule," I said and handed it to him.
Professor Dubin looked it over then with a smile replied, "Can you be here Monday by 10:30?"
"I can."
"Splendid. Come to my office first. Then I'll show you where you can get ready."
"I'll be here. Thank you Professor Dubin.”
"No, thank you, Miss Duncan," Professor Dubin emphasized the "you" as I began to exit.
The moment I stepped out, it hit me what I was really going to be doing on Monday morning. The way I looked at it, there was a first time for everything. Now, I had the whole weekend to really think about it.
Taylynn could tell there was something about me as we studied. Well, I did try to study. If Taylynn's boyfriend could have kept his hands out of her sweatpants, and stopped making her squeal, I could have done more studying. They always found a way to get some sort of sexual satisfaction together without it being full blown while I was still in the room. I was actually glad he was with her. It stopped her from asking what was on my mind.
When Monday arrived, I got out of bed, shaking. So many emotions ran through my head, my body just could not hold off the shakes. I thought a shower would calm me so I headed there. There were a few other girls finishing up and it looked as if I was going to be alone. I was glad. I would be able to free my mind even more.
The hot water did the trick. As I towel dried my hair in front of the bathroom mirror, my head was clear and the shakes gone. I was ready for my new job. All I needed to do was dress and go.
Professor Dubin was sitting in his chair, his back facing the door, when I walked into his office. He didn't seem to know I was there. I guess he was deep in thought.
"Professor Dubin?” I said, nervously.
"Miss Duncan," he said as he turned around, "Nice to see you again. Please, come. Have a seat."
I sat in the chair in front of his desk and saw an envelope with my name on it. I wondered what was inside when Professor Dubin picked it up.
"Miss Duncan, to show I'm sincere about the job, here's a check for half the salary. You will get the rest once this first session is over."
I took the envelope and opened it. The amount was $150. He was not joking, but I had no reason to believe he would have been doing so.
"Professor Dubin, this was not necessary.