The next two weeks were pretty uneventful – Gil would meet Sara at the pier after class and they would talk while Sara smoked and drank her frappucino. Gil went and bought her the patch on the second week so she could try it and see what happens.
“Dr. Grissom, you didn’t have to do that. Thank you though.”
“I expect to see this on you in class tomorrow, and when we meet here afterwards, I don’t want to see you light up. Understand?”
“Yes sir!”
For the remainder of those two weeks, she wore the patch and didn’t even light up when Gil wasn’t around. She was falling for him and she wanted him to know it.
They were sitting at the pier yesterday when Sara decided she would make her move.
“Dr. Grissom I have something I need to talk to you about.”
“Please, call me Gil.”
“Oh I can’t do that. Can I call you Doc?”
“I guess. So what did you need to talk to me about?” Gil gazed into her deep brown eyes and thought about making love to her. He was having a lot of those fantasies lately and it freaked him out. She was just so intoxicating – she smelled of lavender, she was naturally beautiful, so much so that she didn’t need makeup, and her voice was so heavenly raspy.
“I’d like to talk to you about us.”
“Us?” Gil swallowed hard.
“Yes. We’ve been seeing a lot of each other these past couple of weeks and I really like you. I was wondering how you feel about me?”
“Oh Sara. I really like you too but you must know that this could never work between us.”
“Why?”
“For starters, I am your professor. There is also the age factor. I am 37, Sara, you are only 22.”
“Big deal. What’s 15 years when you like someone?”
“It is a big deal. I also don’t want to get us in trouble because we are having a relationship.”
“Nobody has to know Doc. It’s only for the summer anyway.”
“Okay but it can only be for the summer, you must know that.”
After they made love for the first time, they hung out and talked on the pier and at the Wharf.
That night around 7:00 Gil dropped her back off at her dorm so she could do the assignment that was due the next day. He wasn’t going to help her any since it wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the students.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, doc.”
“Okay Sara. What do you want to do tomorrow?”
“Why don’t we go take the bay cruise that the Ferry Building Line has to offer? They say that they go to places that most natives haven’t seen.”
“That sounds great to me, what time?”
“How about 11? I’m sure that a boat will leave around that time.”
“Okay, it’s a date. Bye Sara.”
“Bye doc.” She gave him a kiss on the lips and ran inside to get started on her homework.
She decided to call Micky – they exchanged numbers the one-day in class. When she miraculously wasn’t with Grissom they would hang out and chat. They became good friends in the process.
“Micky! Doc and I are having a relationship!”
“Great news Sara! But you need to be careful. They aren’t so nice around here about students fraternizing with professors.”
“I know, we’ll be careful, I promise. Hey, what are you doing on Saturday?”
“I have to practice. Hey, why don’t you and Doc come along and watch us?”
“Okay, that sounds great! Saturday it is then.”
Sara hung up and went to bed early. The next morning after class, Sara and Gil drove over to the Ferry Building and only had to wait ten minutes for the next boat to arrive. They boarded and took a spot next to the railing. Gil gazed into Sara’s eyes and then kissed her passionately.
“Mmmm, what was that for?” Sara sighed.
“It was for you being so darn beautiful.”
Sara smiled her gap-toothed grin and Gil captured it in another breathtaking kiss.
During the cruise, they got to see Candlestick Park, where the Giants play, the bay bridge, Treasure Island, Alcatraz Island, and Yuerba Buena Island. While they viewed the scenery, they had a chance to talk.
“Doc, will we keep in touch after the summer?”
“Of course we will. We’ll always be friends Sara.”
“So is this how you view our relationship? Friends with benefits, as they say?” Sara disgustedly said.
“Sara, I thought we agreed that this was going to be a summer thing only. You know it can’t be anymore than that.”
“I know what we agreed on Doc, but it really ticks me off that you see it as such.”
“If I was to fall in love with you it would defeat the purpose to our agreement.”
“So, you just want to have sex with me and that’s it?”
“Sara, it’s more than just sex.”
“Yeah, it’s friends with benefits like I said.”
“You make that sound like it’s a bad thing.”
“Well it certainly can’t be good.” Sara took his arms off her shoulders and moved over about three feet.
“Sara, do we have to argue about this? We made an agreement...”
“Agreement, ashmeement! After this cruise it’s over. I can’t believe I actually fell for you. You are a cold hearted asp!” Sara took her patch off and pulled out her Marlboro Lights from her purse.
“Sara, you were doing so well...” Gil sighed as she lit up.
“I don’t give a crap. At least my ciggies are more reassuring than you are right now.” She took a drag and exhaled in his face.
“Sara, can’t we talk about this?”
“There’s nothing to talk about doc. You have made it perfectly clear, so we’re done.”
Gil sighed heavily. He was in love with her but he couldn’t tell her that. He wanted her for the summer so he could take back memories to L.A. He was too old for her and he couldn’t understand why it didn’t bother her. He also knew that long distance relationships didn’t work out, and he wanted her to continue her education.
After the tour was over, Gil dropped her off at the dorm and went back to his apartment on campus. They didn’t say a word on the way back, and now he was going to have to look at her every day in class, not getting the chance to hold her, kiss her, make love to her ever again.
Sara did her assignment and prepared to call Howard and tell him that she wanted to drop the class. The only problem was he would want a reason why. She could always tell him that the class just wasn’t for her, but he would see right through that. She couldn’t tell him that they had sex together.
She was in one heck of a conundrum – would she have to put up with him for the rest of the summer? He probably would fail her and she would have that on her permanent record. She dialed the phone anyhow and hoped that she could pull the excuse off.
“Howard Feltenbaum’s office, how may I help you?”
“Hi Belinda. Howard in?”
“Yes Sara, hold on a sec.”
“Hey Sara, how’s that class going with Gil? Didn’t I tell you he was a good teacher?”
“Um about that Howard. I need to drop the class.”
Howard frowned. “Why? It can’t be that the class is too hard, you ace just about everything.”
“No the class isn’t too hard, it’s just not working out for me. Besides the subject is really boring and I’m afraid I will fail for lack of wanting to do the assignments.” Sara lied, and hoped it was working.
“I guess you can drop it. I’m certainly surprised. It’s not Gil is it?”
“No, he’s a really great teacher and person. Thanks so much Howard, I really appreciate it.” Sara was glad she made it through that last part without sounding too nervous.
“Is there another filler you want to take? I’m sure you will be bored for the summer.”
“No not really. I think I’m just going to hang around and have a summer to myself. I have a lot of reading I need to catch up on anyhow.”
“I’m really sorry that things didn’t work out Sara. I really thought that you would love that class.”
“Yeah, I thought I might too but it just didn’t work out that way. Talk to you later, Howard.”
“Hey, would you like to come out to dinner with Margie and I tonight? We’d love to have you.”
“Yeah, sure that sounds great. I really appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
“Not a problem, Sara.”
They hung up and Sara went to her bed and cried. Before she met Howard and Margie for dinner, she called Micky.
“Hello?”
“Hey Mick, it’s Sara.”
“Hey Sara, how’s it going?”
“Terrible! Grissom can be such a snake!”
“What happened?”
“He just wants to be friends when I want it to be so much more. He keeps saying it can only last for a summer. I would love it to last longer. I gave myself to him too.”
“You did? I’m sorry to hear that Sara. I oughtta deck him for the way he’s treating you.”
“That’s sweet but don’t bother. I knew it was a mistake to date while trying to study. Oh and I dropped the class.”
“Dropped the class? Sara, you love that class!”
“I can’t face him, Micky, you have to understand that.”
“I understand, but I think you should reconsider. I won’t have you around to joke with while he gets all technical and lovey dovey with his bugs.” Micky laughed hoping that she would laugh too but it didn’t work.
“I don’t know Micky. I really can’t face him.”
“Okay, sorry I brought it up, but I’ll miss you.”
“We can still hang and be friends right?”
“Yeah of course! You still coming tomorrow?”
“Sure! I wouldn’t miss it for the world! I’m looking forward to meeting your friends and hearing your music. I just won’t have you know who with me.”
“That’s cool, we’ll entertain you with our songs. You’ll feel better, I know it.”
She hung up and then she met Howard and his wife Margie at the University Club for dinner. It was formal dress so Sara wore the only dress that she had, which was black spaghetti strap chiffon. It was tiered and she wore black open toed wedges. She pulled her hair up in a loose ponytail, letting the front wisps of hair down along her oval face.
“Hi Sara, nice to see you again.” Margie Feltenbaum said as she gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Margie was in her late 30’s. She had blonde curly hair and green eyes. She was a svelte woman who always seemed to dress to the nine’s, especially when going out for the evening. For this occasion, she was wearing a deep blue Halsten dress made of satin. Her shoes were Aigner heels and she was wearing crystal teardrop dangle earrings.
“Nice to see you too, Margie.”
“Sorry to hear about you having to drop the class. Howard said that Gil wasn’t very happy about that.”
“Well, it was better than me going through the motions and possibly failing.” She figured he was just ticked because he couldn’t see her again.
“That’s true.”
They sat at a table and ordered drinks. Sara had a Dos Equis, and Howard and Margie each had margaritas.
“I talked to Gil today, and like Margie told you he was rather disappointed that you dropped the class.”
“I’m really sorry Howard, I tried my best.”
“I know you did and I explained it to him. He said okay and that was it. Are you sure that something wasn’t said?”
Sara tried her hardest not to blush. “No, everything was okay.”
“Sara, I’ve known you for a long time. We go back to when you were still in High School taking advanced biology and physics courses. I thought you could tell me anything.”
“Okay. Please don’t judge Gil or me for what happened. We started to have a summer fling and well things didn’t work out.”
“He knows that’s against the school’s policy, I’m shocked that he did such a thing. Besides you are so young, I am going to have a talk with him about this.” Howard stated somewhat agitatedly.
“Please don’t do that, it’s not necessary. I broke it off with him so there won’t be anymore trouble.”
“Sara, you know I should tell someone but since you broke up with him I won’t. I am going to talk with him about this though. He should’ve known better.”
“Okay Howard. I really am sorry.” Sara just wanted to go to bed at this point.
“You know they are hiring here. I could put in a good word and you’d have a job for the summer.”
“Okay, I haven’t done waitressing before but I could give it a try.”
“That’s my girl. I’ll do that first thing in the morning and I’ll let you know what happens.”
“Thanks Howard.”
After Howard paid for their meals, they dropped Sara off at her dorm and she went to her room and fell asleep.
The next day, Sara went to the Pad, where Micky lived with his band mates.
“Sara Sidle, I’d like you to meet my friends and band mates Mike, Peter, and Davy. Guys, this is Sara Sidle, the girl I told you about that is in my Entomology class.”
“Hey Sara!” They all said in unison.
“Hey guys, nice to meet you.”
“So Sara, I understand that you are hoping to become a CSI.” Davy said to the raven haired, tall and lean girl.
“Yes, I would love to work with the SFPD upon graduating.”
“That’s wonderful, I hope it works out for you.” Mike stated.
“What’s a CSI?” Peter asked.
“Peter, don’t you know anything? A CSI is a Crime Scene Investigator. They examine the crime scenes and collect evidence to try to find out what happened, why it happened, and who did it.” Mike said in disbelief.
“Mike, it’s okay that he asked that. There are a lot of people who don’t know what a CSI is. Good question Peter.”
“Thank you Sara. I’m not always dumb you know.”
“Sorry shotgun. I just figured everyone knew what a CSI was.”
They took their places by their instruments and played their own songs. They played “I’m A Believer,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “She,” “Valleri,” “Sunny Girlfriend,” “Steam Engine,” and “Pleasant Valley Sunday.”
Sara bopped to all the songs, and wanted them to play more. They then played three more songs for her, “Words,” “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ Round?” and “Tapioca Tundra.”
“You guys are great! You should put out a CD, you seem to have a good amount of songs.”
“Thanks Sara. Yeah, Mike and the rest of us keep writing too, so we could put out a CD.”
“Yeah, In fact, I’m in the middle of negotiations for a new CD, so hopefully they will give us a deal.”
“You are? Mike that’s great!” Micky exclaimed.
“Yeah. I was going to surprise you if we got it but since she asked, I figured I’d tell you anyhow.”
“I know I’d buy a copy! You guys should try to play at Berkeley; the students would love you guys. I could try to put in a good word.”
“Would you? That would be great!” Mike exclaimed.
“Sure.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On Monday, Howard had a chat with Gil.
“Hi Gil, I’m glad you could come and visit with me. Look we need to have a talk. Sara Sidle had dinner with Margie and I on Friday.”
Gil had a look of horror on his face. She wouldn’t tell would she? “Okay...”
“Gil, she told me that you and her were starting a relationship. Luckily she broke it off, or else I would have had to tell. Gil, I’m surprised at you. You know that it’s against the policy here. Not to mention she’s 15 years younger than you! What were you thinking?”
“The age difference did bother me Howard. It was just going to be a summer fling, nothing more.”
“You should have thought with your brains and not certain other areas, Gil. Well what’s done is done but I just hope you didn’t break her heart.”
“I’m sure I didn’t. I’m sorry for my poor judgment, she’s just a beautiful and incredibly intelligent girl.”
“I know Gil. Well, I’ll let you get back to whatever you’re doing. Thanks for having this talk with me.”
Once Gil was out of Howard’s office, his face turned a shade of crimson. He was going to go straight to Sara’s room and have a nice chat with her. How dare she go and spill everything to Howard? It was to be a secret! He knew not to trust her any longer.
He reached her door and he pounded. He knew he should just knock but he was too angry to do that.
Sara opened the door and frowned. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“May I come in? I need to talk to you NOW.”
“Fine.”
Sara opened the door and let him in. Gil didn’t have time to notice her small room; he wanted to get to the bottom of this.
“Sara, how could you tell Howard??? That was to be a secret!”
“I’m sorry doc, he knows me too well and I probably blushed when he asked me if it was you.”
“Well you’re darn lucky we don’t date any longer, he would have turned me in! What, you break up with me and then out of spite you want my career and reputation ruined??? I didn’t think you would stoop that low.”
“Doc it isn’t like that. Like I said, he got it out of me. I can’t believe you would think that I would do such a thing. I think you should leave now.” Sara’s eyes were welling up; she didn’t want him to see her cry.
“Sara, please don’t cry. Look, the main thing is he didn’t turn me in and since we’re done now there’s no more trouble.”
“All is forgiven. Look, just leave, okay?” Sara couldn’t stop the tears from falling now. She went over to her loveseat and plopped down, wiping her eyes with her fingers.
“No, not until you stop crying. Is there something else wrong?”
Sara couldn’t believe he didn’t have a clue. “You are so dense! You must be all brains and no common sense!”
“What? Is it something I did?”
“Oh man! ‘Is it something I did?’ Of course it’s something you did! I fell in love with you, Dr. Gil Grissom, and you broke my heart by saying it was nothing more than a summer fling. It was nothing more than another notch in your belt. I was just a younger chick that you could have your way with and brag about it to your buddies.”
“It wasn’t that way Sara, and you know it.”
“I know it??? Oh no can do, Gil. I can start quoting you word for word if you want me to.”
“No. Look I’m sorry to have hurt you Sara. But it wasn’t the way you are saying. I don’t brag about my love life to anyone, and I certainly don’t go by ‘notches on my belt.’ In fact, I have only had one other girlfriend in my life and we were engaged at one time.”
Gil went over to the loveseat and sat down next to Sara, who was still crying. He took her tiny hand and interlaced their fingers together.
“What happened, did you break her heart too?” Sara sniffed.
“No, she broke mine. I haven’t told anyone this but she left me for another man. One that was more in touch with her feelings.”
“Oh I can imagine that. You are quite a distant person.”
“Anyhow, it tore me up inside. I never did find anyone I could connect with until...” He didn’t want to say it.
“Until me?” Sara’s brown eyes brightened up.
“Yes. You are a real spitfire, Sara. You match me intellectually, and we weren’t so bad physically either you know.”
“I know.” Sara smiled through her tears. “
I’m sorry I broke your heart Sara, I really am.”
“Like I said, all is forgiven.”
“Good. I really have to go now. Can we be friends at least?”
“Yeah. I wish we could be something more though.”
“I know; I wish we could too.”
“Then why can’t we? Oh I bet it’s the age isn’t it?”
“Yes. Sara, we can’t look over the fact that I’m 15 years older than you.”
“Figures. Fine. Let’s just be friends.” Sara sighed.
“Okay. Look if you aren’t doing anything today, maybe we can hang out at the pier?”
“I can’t. I have to wait for Howard to call me about a job at the University Club.”
“Oh okay, well how about you call and let me know after you get the call?”
“Okay. Thanks for coming over doc.”
“No problem. I’m just glad we can continue our friendship.”
“Me too.”
Gil gave Sara a big hug and walked outside to his apartment. When he left, Sara went and lay down to cry.
Chapter 1
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