Little Extra Help

"Please have the case file read and be prepared to discuss it tomorrow in class," Professor Spinelli announced and I felt a stapled sheaf of paper placed in front of me.

I hadn't heard of the case on any of the tapes that I had yet listened to. Maybe it was on one of the next tapes, but I didn't hope overly hard. If it had been in the book then we wouldn't need the handout.

Perfect...

I shuffled my notes into a neat pile and placed them in my bag along with the packet of papers. Dianne was already on her feet, anticipating the walk to the library; which is where I would usually go after this class was finished.

"Office," I commanded her as soon as we were out the door of the lecture hall. After a moments pause, instead of leading me left she turned to the right.

53...54...55...56...curve to the right... up the stairs.

I was only distantly aware of keeping count of steps and direction in the back of my mind, my predominant thoughts resting on my problem as I walked towards Joyce's office.

***************

"Well hello Darlin," Joyce said as the door to the office swung closed silently behind me. I could hear the smile in her voice, "what can I help you with? It's not your usual pick up day."

"I have a bit of a problem," I said and leaned on the counter, "Professor Spinelli gave us an additional case to read and I didn't know if it was by any chance on tape somewhere." I handed her the case file.

"Hmm, I don't believe so my dear," she said, "in fact I'm almost positive that it's not on tape."

I knew that it had been a long shot, "I guess I'll figure something out," I said and turned to head home. Maybe I could get my mother to read it to me.

"Wait," she called as my hand hit the door handle, "what about the boy that reads for you. You might be able to have him read it to you a few times."

"He's probably busy," I mumbled, but I couldn't squash the little bit of excitement at the thought of meeting the man who read for me, "and I don't know his name, or where to find him."

"It can't hurt to ask," she said brightly, "His name is Chris Hensley, and he lives over in the dorms." She gave me his building and room number.

"Okay," I said and gave a little smile. I hoped I wasn't blushing.

**********************

After a little confusion in getting Dianne to go where I wanted I finally found myself on the proper floor in front of the right door; after asking a few people to direct me.

After a moments hesitation I knocked firmly on the door. The thin wood was no barrier against the squeak of furniture and a growl of irritation that I could hear from behind the closed door.

"Maybe this wasn't the best idea," I whispered to Dianne.

The door was pulled open quickly and I heard Chris's voice say, “Look, Eric’s not here, and I’m not going to keep giving you his stuff --” The irritation in his voice was very evident.

“I don’t know who Eric is," I said. I was pretty certain now that this was not a good idea.

"Hi,” Chris said. I wasn't quite certain of the emotion in his voice with that one short word.

“I think you have the wrong room," he said. I couldn't help loving the sound of his voice, of feeling like he was a friend. "One floor up or one floor down - those are both girls’ halls,” he said.

“I’m looking for Chris Hensley,” I said, even though I knew that was who I was talking to.

“That’s me,” he said.

“I knew as soon as you spoke,” I said and could have smacked myself for blurting that out. Instead I reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “I listen to your voice all the time.” I could feel myself blushing.

"You do?" he asked. I wasn't sure if it was surprise or something else that colored his tone.

“Yeah. You read textbooks for me.”

“Oh. Right. What can I do for you?”

My smile faltered just a little at that. I ducked my head; a habit from my seeing days, in an attempt to avoid eye contact. My grip on Dianne's harness tightened in nervousness.

“I didn’t know where else to go. Professor Spinelli handed out an additional case for tomorrow’s reading assignment, one that wasn’t in the book, and it wasn’t on the tape, and when I went to the office, Joyce said maybe you could help me...”

“Of course,” Chris said. “Do you have the case with you?”

I nodded. “It’s in my bag. I’m really sorry - I can come back later if it’s a more convenient time for you."

“Now is fine,” Chris said, "my roommate’s out but why don’t you come in and have a seat?”

"Thanks," I said and stepped past him into the room, catching a hint of sweat and some aftershave that was quite appealing. Dianne lead me to a chair. He didn't close the door and I nodded slightly in approval.

I heard the bed squeak just to my left, close enough that I could almost feel him.

“All right. What have you got for me?” he asked

Was it excitement or something else in his voice now? I was so used to listening to him reading dry legal texts that I wasn't used to hearing his emotions. I was uncertain and I didn't like that.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the briefing that was handed out in class.

“Here,” I said. “Will you read to me?”

He took the papers from my hand, "sure," he said.

I smiled at him, "Thanks."