The waitress

- You naughty man! No wonder you like teaching!

- It's nothing like that. I had no idea she had those legs! She's always with jeans and glasses and books!

- She's into you mate.

- Of course she's not. I'm her professor, she looks up to me, that's all. By the way, she's Jeff's new sitter.

- Why do you get to hire a hot sitter for your son? It's unfair.

- She's not hot and she's not getting in your cupboard Patrick.

- "I think she's nice" - All 3 friends looked at Jeff for a moment in silence. He was complimenting a woman they all knew without being his usual self. He seemed to have learnt some self control in Greece.

- She has brilliant legs, she could be the 50ft woman with no need of special effects.

He was back to normal.

- Professor, here's your drink. And your guiness and... the scotch. The chips will be done in 5 mins, I got the kitchen guys to change the oil for you. Anything else I can get you?

Patrick grinned. "Care to join us?"

- Patrick she's working, want to get her sacked? That's fine Maggie, thanks.

- No problem.

She smiled shyly and walked away slowly with her tray. She had to tell Prof. Taylor that she was responsable and able to take care of his son, but without sounding as if she was trying to make a move on him. And his friends were just so bizarre. She came close to the other waiter "Excuse me Matt, those guys, the regulars... how are they?".
- What you mean? They're customers... They're... mmm... the freaky looking one, that one never has women around, he is either gay or too scary for them. The one on the other corner is a compulsive womanizer that apparently films videos. He's been married for a couple of years now and has a kid but he's still shooting... The other two, well, the one you seem to know seems like an ok bloke, his wife is scary though. I wouldn't go for him if I were you.

- Good God! I wasn't planning to, he's just a professor at my college, that's all.

- Well, he just got up and is alone in case you wanted to lure him into conversation...

She stormed off towards the lou where Steve was heading.

- Professor, sorry to bother you, I just needed to tell you something.

He started to think that Patrick may be right about her infatuation. He found himself with sweaty hands and his pulse was increasing. What was he to do if she made a move on him?

- Sure Maggie, what is it?

She took a second to answer. It seemed that she was measuring every word out of her mouth before speaking it. What if Patrick was right? What would Susan think? He spent too much time in College and Susan may think it was with her.

Maggie took a deep breath remembering she had tables to serve as well, but she needed to tell him.

- Please don't judge me by this outfit, the skirt is mandatory and I'm just, I'm very very good with kids, really.

Steve sighed in relief. He grinned a bit thinking how he could possibly have though she'd be interested.

- You look very nice in that outfit Maggie, and please call me Steve. Do you want the address? You'll need it tomorrow.

- Really?

She felt like hugging him as a thank you but hugged the tray instead, seemed more appropriate.

- Of course Maggie! I told you already, I have complete trust in your judgement and I'm sure you're great with boys.

That last line came out very wrong, but she didn't seem to mind.

- Allright, I have a few questions about your son but I have a few tables to attend, can I email them to you or text you later?

- Sure, we'll be here for a while now, you can ask and I'll just mail you the answers.

- Thanks professor, really, truly thank you for trusting me with this. Means a lot to me.

- It's just one saturday, if Jeff likes you then we can arrange something more permanent.

- Of course! I know, still... Thank you.

He was about to get into the lou when he remembered about her notebook.

- Maggie? I got your notebook, you dropped it by accident earlier today?
- My... my notebook?
- I'm sorry I took the liberty to read it. It's really good, it needs polishing but it's very good.
- Oh that notebook.
- Don't blush! I think it's very good. You should present it next semester. Why don't you come over tomorrow a bit earlier and we go through it for a while? What do you think?
- Erm... Thanks, but... I just don't think it's that good, it's just a sketch.
- Maggie, you have enough material for a series of 6 episodes at least.
- Well, I'll need your address, here's my mobile, just text it allright? I need to get back to the tables professor.
- Allright then.

He had read her sitcom. He had invaded her personal space. However, he thought it was good. He thought it was Good. That thought kept her happy for the rest of the evening, even when the creepy-looking friend kept starting at her and the womanizer kept trying to invite her over.

Later when they were about to leave, Steve gave her back the notebook, stating his address was in it and the answers to her questions regarding little Jeff (favorite color, favorite food, favorite cartoon, bedtime and such). He had no idea what she was up to, but she seemed to know about kids.

He touched her forearm as he would in school when saying goodbye and she smiled at him. "Keep writing Maggie, it's good, really."
- Thanks professor. Take care. Bye guys.

Patrick gave Jeff a look. They hadn't heard their conversations but they could be sure that there was more between them than what Steve was disclosing, or even realizing.

The boys (over pints of Guinness)

Steve was zipping his regular beer in their sofa, just as he had for the last 8 years. He was always the first to arrive to their spot, followed closely by Patrick, who was lately trying to avoid having to shop for baby oil and dipers.

- Hey mate.

- Hey Patrick, how's parenting doing?
- Terrible, I really don't know how she got me into it.
- You proposed, you like pregnant women, she wanted children, you do the math.
- I still don't understand.
- You get to hire nannys.

Soon after, Jeff and Oliver came in, holding memorabilia from old movies. A new waitress stared at a poster Jeff was carrying.
- "Oh my, The blob! Where did you get that? That's a classic!"
- Hello, he got it from my shop, here's my card.
- Hello.
Jeff was still shy around women, specially good looking ones and this one was no exception.
- Thanks, I'll stop by. You guys need a table?
- Don't worry, I see our friends.

The waitress looked over to the place where they pointed out. An older waiter mentioned they were regulars and what they may drink. She took notes just in case and went over other tables to give them time to settle in.

- Who is that long legged goddess?
- She looks familiar... Wonder if she's new.
- I dunno mate, but she knew what the blob was.
- Oh your bloody blob, how long have we had that talk now? 6 years?
- I think 8 or 9 mate.
- What are you guys talking about?
- A pause taking over a conversation like the blob.
- Oh right, poor puppies, there's always a puppy trapped.

Steve and Patrick looked at each other and laughed at Oliver's comment.
- So who is she? I wonder if I could get her number.
- Patrick please, sod off mate. We hadn't had beers together since Dom's birthday party.
- That was one lame party, not a single attractive woman.
- They were mothers, what did you expect?

- Hello guys, my name is Mag-
- Maggie?
- Professor Taylor? Oh my.
She tried to pull her skirt lower in an automatic reflex.
- No wonder you looked familiar!
- You guys know each other?
Patrick stared at the waitress thinking she could be next in his video collection.
- Maggie is at my creative writing class.
- And at the workshop.
- And last year you took up 19th century lit, am I correct?
- Yes professor. Ups, bad glimpse from my boss. So the other waiter mentioned you were the regulars and gave me your list of drinks... Mmmm... Let me guess: you mus be the one with the Guiness, correct?
- Yes I am how did you know?
- You're sitting alone trying to separate yourself from the rest. Professor and you Mr. Morris, is it? You'll be taking regular beer.
- You're good!
- Well I am good at what I do.
- And you must be the one that drinks girlie- I mean Sex on the beach, correct?

Jeff felt as if his mother would be staring at him, threatening to diminish his masculinity with a little axe.
- Actually, I'll have a scotch. Thanks.
- Okay, would you like chips or anything like that?
- Chips would be fine Maggie, thanks.
- No problem professor. I'll get your order right away.

She stormed off, still looking to see if she could make her skirt look longer than what it was. In that armchair was the man that she looked up to the most. And he had just seen her like this. Not only that, only hours ago he had offered her a job and now, obviously he was going to take it back. She had to do something.

The girls (over IM)

Jane says: Oliver proposed.

Sally says: It was bloody time! I'm so happy for you.

Susan says: I'm really happy for you both Jane.

Sally says: Susan, when are you coming back? The guys are driving me crazy, the new nanny Patrick's got is terrible and I keep needing to close the shop to take care of Dom.

Susan says: Steve got a new nanny, some student of his. If she's any good maybe she can help you guys. Ask him.

Sally says: You know I don't talk to Steve Susan.

Jane says: I can take care of Dom she likes me.

Susan says: Because she feels older than you.

Jane says: I should get new friends. Bye girls, I'm off to the pub.

Susan says: Stalking your fianceè?

Jane says: No, just your husband.

The time gap

- Hello dear.

- You never call me dear.

- It's great to hear you too Susan. When are you coming back? I'm in the middle of a class.

- No, you are in recess. Otherwise you wouldn't have picked up the mobile.

- When are you coming home Susan?

- About that, I have these deadlines to cover, could you get a nanny for tomorrow evening? My parents are leaving for the weekend and I won't be coming home until Monday morning. I'll do my best to get there on Sunday but I can't promise anything.

- Why bother really? You've been promising to come home for the last week now.

- Steve... I miss you.

- I miss you too. And so does Jeffrey.

- How is he?

- He's grown so much... you won't recognize him.

- Oh come on, I've only been gone for 2 weeks.

- (sighs) Yes you have Susan, 2 whole weeks plus the last 4 days and possibly 3 more days...

- Oh Steve, that's not fair. If it was your career taking you away you'd -

- I'd start teaching in college like I did, to stay close from our family. I'll get a nanny for tomorrow night. I have this very important faculty dinner to attend to and I'll be wifeless, again.

- Apparently.

- Don't you "apparently" me. I have to go.

Steve walks out of the class, still obviously upset about his conversation with his life partner earlier that same day. One of his students is walking slowly behind him, pondering whether or not she should disturb him. She takes a deep breath, pushes her dark-framed glasses and touches his arm.

- Profesor Taylor? May I have a word with you?
Steve startles for a minute then realizes its her. - Sure Maggie, how can I help you?

- Actually, I don't mean to sound noisy or anything, but I was wondering if I could help you. You don't seem, I dunno, happy?
- (sighs) How did you get that?
- You quoted Tolkien. You never quote Tolkien. You HATE Tolkien.
- Hate is a strong word, but yes I am upset. I can't believe you realized that.
- Well, you were also going mental with the guys that hadn't prepared much of class and that's very unlike you. You're one of the "cool" teachers you know.
- Thank you for that Maggie. I'll be fine. You look tired though, is the essay still driving you mental?
- Just a bit. I just got sacked today. I'll be living out of tips from the new pub I'm working in until I get another job. I hope to get another job.
- You have two jobs?
- Well yeah! I do have a scholarship, but I still have a rent to pay and food to eat. I'm sorry, I'm being innapropriate.
- Why? We are just talking, it's... it's actually good to talk to someone that listens. So this job, what was it?
- Oh, well, I was babysitting this beautiful boy, had been for mmm, a year and a half now, but the husband got sacked from the company he was working in so, I got sacked too. Bollocks.
- Hehehe, saying "bollocks" with your american accent is so funny.
- Sorry.
- How did you get that accent by the way?
- Watching movies since I was a kid I guess. We do have cable in 3rd world countries you know.
- Yes I know... So Maggie, are you free on saturday evening? Oh, I don't mean it to sound like an invitation or anything, I just need a sitter for Jeffrey.
- Jeffrey your son right?
- Yes.
- You want me to babysit your son? Really?
- Of course! You are my brightest student and I have complete trust in your judgement.
- One thing are school papers and another is your only son.
- I trust you Maggie, if you want the job, it's yours.
- Oh thank you so much Professor Taylor!
- You can call me Steve.
- Nope I shouldn't. Oh crap, I'm running late for class! See you later!

She stormed out dropping one of her notebooks. She was one of the very few students that would rather write in paper than in laptops. He picked it up but she was gone before he could see her. He had a spare couple of hours before meeting the boys at the pub. Since Jeffrey was with Susan's parents for the day, he decided to go back to his office and check out what her essay was looking like.