Leah Walker enters her dorm room at Wellesley College and sets her backpack onto a chair. It’s her freshman year, and her roommate, Heather, is visiting family for several days, so Leah’s looking forward to having the room to herself for a long weekend. Leah’s average height, with shoulder-length auburn hair, and steel-blue eyes. She’s wearing her usual attire of baggie warmup shorts, New Balance sneakers, and an oversized MIT sweatshirt. Her hair is pulled back into a ponytail. She drops her keys onto the nightstand and takes a package of red Solo cups from the top drawer, removes one cup, and replaces the rest. From behind the nightstand, she takes out a bottle of Merlot she bought at a package store in Boston which never checks ID, unscrews the top, and pours half a cup.
Leah’s from Atlanta, and Wellesley is her first time living away from her family. She continued to live in her family’s home in Buckhead after the family moved to Lawrenceville just before the start of her senior year at Pace Academy, but Leah doesn’t count that, since her father, Paxton, was there off and on throughout the week. Leah had objected to the long commute, and both her parents deemed her responsible enough to go it alone for the remaining time before graduation. Since Paxton still had business in town during the week, he would stay at the house evenings when he needed to be at the office early. Leah viewed it as an opportunity to get closer to her father, with whom she’d always had a tense and distant relationship. Unfortunately, the best they managed was a sort of détente, where they’d exchange a few words going or coming, or, a bit of conversation if Paxton happened to be around in the living room while Leah was working on a school assignment.
She sits on her bed, takes a sip of wine, and picks up a copy of The Handmaid’s Tale, a gift from Marla Prentice, an instructor in one of Leah’s core Humanities classes, and with whom Leah’s been spending a lot of time lately. Starting her second week at school, Leah found herself involved in a rather passionate relationship with Marla, which started nearly the moment she entered class, and fell under Marla’s scrutiny. After class, Marla made a point of striking up a conversation with Leah. Marla’s a few inches taller than Leah, and several years older, with a trim, athletic build, and jet black hair, that’s very long, and which she wears in dreads. She always wears short, dark dresses, over tights in various colors, with clogs. Her complexion gives Leah the impression that Marla’s of mixed race, though Leah can’t tell which races went into the mix. Marla’s very economical in the facts she shares about herself. She speaks and moves with a frenetic energy, which Leah finds infectious. They ran into one another a short while later, on a smoke break before lunch, and Marla invited Leah to join her for a bite. They ended up back at Marla’s apartment, just off campus, where things got very heated very quickly. Over the next week, their afternoon dalliances progressed into an intense physical relationship, which surprised Leah, as she’s never before entertained ideas of being involved with another woman.
The situation excites and troubles Leah, who finds the intimacy thrilling, but wonders what it all means. Throughout high school, she had the usual teen relationships, occasional dates with guys she knew from math class or science club, who’d take her out after school, or sometimes evenings, often with other computer geeks like her, and she had a number of girls she spent time with in school and out, or with whom she played on the lacrosse or softball teams, but she’d never entertained the thought of having a sexual relationship with any of them, male or female, nor could she recall ever having crushes on any of her female teachers, regardless of how attractive they’d been. It worries her that she could be so unaware of such an important aspect of her personality, and wonders what else she might have missed. A few days into the relationship, Leah decided she needed advice from someone more worldly.
She has a great relationship with her mother, Melinda, but she’s not sure how her mother will react to Leah potentially being a lesbian, so, for advice, she decided to sound out her aunt Margaret on the matter. Since childhood, Margaret has been an important influence on Leah, second only to Melinda, with whom Margaret’s been friends since college. Like Leah, Margaret is a first-born daughter, who’s two years older than Paxton, and it was Margaret who introduced Paxton to Melinda when Leah’s mother was still in college. Melinda had traveled to Atlanta from Charleston, South Carolina, to attend Agnes Scott, with the intention of being a teacher, but instead met and married Paxton Walker. As she was getting started back at school, she discovered she was pregnant with Leah, and put her dreams of teaching on hold. Leah has always harbored a bit of guilt, knowing that she prevented her mother from finishing school, but Melinda’s always maintained a cheerful and upbeat attitude about it, telling Leah she’ll head back to school once Alyssa, Leah’s baby sister, who’s twelve years younger, is out of the house.
Leah phoned Margaret and wasted little time in getting to the point.
“Margaret, have you ever been with another woman?” Leah asked.
“In what sense do you mean that?” Margaret said, a bit of discomfort evident in her voice.
“Seriously?” Leah said. “What sense do you think?”
“Oh,” Margaret said. “Well, if that’s what you mean, then no.”
“Have you thought about it?” Leah said.
“Hmm, let me guess,” Margaret said, “you’re asking because you’ve either thought about it, or—”
“No, I’m way beyond thinking about it, at this point,” Leah said.
“I see. Well. Did you enjoy it?”
“Yes,” Leah said.
“Then what’s the problem?” Margaret asked. “If you had a good time, where’s the harm?”
“But what does it mean?” Leah said.
“Why does it have to mean something?” Margaret said.
“I guess it doesn’t have to,” Leah said. “It just usually does.”
“Look, you didn’t go blind and you weren’t struck by lightning were you?” Margaret asked
“Not yet.”
“Then, we can assume the universe is okay with it,” Margaret said.
“I don’t know if I’m okay with it,” Leah said, “I mean, I like her, but I don’t think either of us is interested in a real relationship.”
“Is it ongoing?” Margaret asked.
“As of right now, it is,” Leah said.
“Then go with it,” Margaret said. “See where it leads. I’ve never found myself in this situation, so I don’t know how I’d respond. You went away to college to learn, right?”
“Right.”
“Well, part of that is learning about yourself,” Margaret said. “You have an excellent opportunity to explore who you are without the glare of your family judging your every move. Take advantage of that.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Margaret.”
“Anytime, sweetie,” Margaret said. “Let me know how things turn out.”
Leah leans back on her bed and resumes reading the book. She manages about five pages when her reading is interrupted by the sound of someone pounding insistently on the door. An unfamiliar voice follows the first round of pounding. “Open this door, you bitch!”
The pounding resumes.
Leah puts down the book and cautiously approaches the door.
“Who is it?” she says.
“I said open this door,” the voice says, “I’m going to kick your ass, you slut.”
Whoever’s outside sounds drunk.
Leah looks at Heather’s bed, then says, “Are you here to kick the ass of a brunette or a redhead? Cause the brunette isn’t here.”
There’s a long pause, before, “Kind of reddish brown. Not a brunette.”
“Perfect,” Leah says to herself.
She considers calling campus security, but decides against it. As the next round of pounding begins, she quickly pulls open the door. A young woman, about Leah’s age and height, with curly, dirty blonde hair, and wearing a short, polka dotted dress and slip-on sneakers, comes tumbling into the room. She falls to her hands and knees and seems somewhat confused. Leah takes the opportunity to grab her roommate’s umbrella, which she brandishes as a weapon.
“Who the hell are you and what do you want?” Leah says to the woman. “Apart from what you’ve already stated.”
“I said I’m going to kick your ass, you bitch,” the woman says as she struggles to get her footing and rise. She looks up at Leah, then says, “Yeah. You.” She looks around for something to hold onto. At last, she pulls herself up on a table and stands up straight, but swaying, as she confronts Leah. She’s wearing a slight amount of makeup, but it’s gotten splotchy from crying. Leah holds the umbrella in front of her as she speaks.
“Okay, I gather that you’re pissed about something,” Leah says. “Why don’t we start with your name. Who are you?”
“I’m Dottie,” the woman says. “Dorothy, actually, but most people call me Dottie.”
“Okay — ah — Dottie,” Leah says, still brandishing the umbrella. “I’m Leah — or do you already know that?”
“How the hell should I know what your name is?” Dottie says.
“You showed up at my door wanting to beat me up,” Leah says, “I assume you’d know my name. What’s this about?”
“It’s about Marla,” Dottie says.
“Marla Prentice? What about her?”
Dottie begins to reply, but suddenly throws her hand over her mouth and starts to heave. Leah hurriedly points to the bathroom. Dottie quickly stumbles in and kicks the door closed. Leah can hear her vomiting. She puts down the umbrella and sits on her bed until she hears the sounds subside. At last, the toilet flushes, followed by the sound of water running in the sink. This goes on for several minutes before Dottie returns to the room, far more subdued than when she left. Leah motions to Heather’s bed and Dottie sits.
“Let’s start over, shall we?” Leah says. “You want to kick my ass and it has something to do with Marla.”
“You stole her from me,” Dottie says. “She won’t return my calls. Then I saw you with her at our coffee shop.”
“Coffee shop?” Leah says. “You mean Sandusky’s? I took her there.”
“You did?” Dottie says. “She said it was our special place.”
“Yeah, she sort of told me the same thing after our first visit,” Leah says. “When did you start seeing her?”
“Right after classes started,” Dottie says. “About a month after I got here.”
“So did I,” Leah says. An idea occurs to her. “Did she take you to The Jewel of the Nile?”
Dottie nods. “The night we first—”
Leah holds up her hand. “Same here.”
“Why aren’t you upset?” Dottie says. “I just confirmed I’ve been sleeping with Marla. That doesn’t bother you?”
“Not really,” Leah says. “I haven’t figured out exactly what our relationship is yet. I take it you feel a bit more committed?”
“I haven’t felt this way before,” Dottie says. “I was all ready to tell my family I’m gay and she ditches me. Told me I’m getting too serious. I figured there was someone else, so I followed her. That’s where I saw you.”
“Meaning you must have followed me here,” Leah says.
“Yesterday,” Dottie says. “It took me all afternoon to get up the courage to come over.”
“Speaking of which,” Leah says. “How much did you drink?”
“Bottle, bottle and a half,” Dottie says. She notices the book and points to it. “I suppose she gave you that.”
“She did.”
“I gave it to her,” Dottie says.
Leah picks it up and looks at the spine. “You’re DG? She said it was on the book when she bought it.”
Dottie nods. “Dorothy Gage.”
“Isn’t that the person in The Wizard of Oz?” Leah says.
“Oh, that’s original,” Dottie says. “Her name is Dorothy Gale. Don’t change the subject.”
“What makes you think I stole Marla from you?” Leah says. “Sounds to me like she’s been leading us both on.”
“Yeah, it’s starting to look that way,” Dottie says. “There’s this girl in my English Lit class who said she had an affair with Marla last year. I didn’t want to believe her, but then I saw the two of you together.”
“Why didn’t you confront Marla?” Leah says.
“I tried, but she’s not at her apartment,” Dottie says.
Leah shakes her head. “She’s never there on the weekend. Hmm. This makes me wonder where she goes.”
Dottie looks down. “Would you mind if I just lie down for a minute or two?”
“You’re not going to throw up again are you? I doubt Heather would like that, and I don’t feel like cleaning up after you.”
“God, I hope not,” Dottie replies. She lies on her side, and pulls her knees up, crossing her arms in front of her.
“I suppose you can kick my ass when you wake up,” Leah says.
“Maybe,” Dottie says as she drifts off.
Leah continues reading while Dottie sleeps. She’s still asleep when Leah goes to bed. The following morning, Dottie is awake and very embarrassed by her behavior. Leah treats Dottie to breakfast at the nearest cafe, and they have a long talk, where they discover a lot of common interests. Leah is fluent in most of the European languages, owing to her family’s many visits to the continent as she was growing up, and she’s pleased to learn Dottie is as well. They switch to speaking German to keep people from eavesdropping on them as they decide what to do about Marla. By the time they part ways, they’ve developed a plan of action.
A few days later, Leah is sitting with Marla at the coffee shop. They’re discussing The Handmaid’s Tale.
“Take that lesson to heart,” Marla tells her. “Men are not to be trusted.”
“They certainly didn’t come off very well in the book,” Leah says.
“Have you read any of Dworkin’s work?” Marla says.
“Andrea Dworkin? I’ve heard of her.”
Marla suddenly focuses on something over Leah’s shoulder and shakes her head. “I don’t believe this.”
“What is it?” Leah says. She looks to see Dottie seated at the lunch counter, wearing dark glasses, situated where she has a good view of Leah and Marla.
“Nothing,” Marla says. “Just this student who’s been giving me a hard time over a grade.” Marla rises. “Excuse me just a minute.”
She goes over and confronts Dottie in low tones. While she’s gone, Leah slides over and picks up Marla’s bag. She checks to be sure Marla isn’t looking, then she pulls out Marla’s wallet and checks her driver’s license and credit cards. Finished, she replaces the wallet, and puts the bag back where it was. She moves back to her chair, and makes an okay sign to Dottie, who abruptly breaks off her argument with Marla, gathers her things, and storms out.
“I’m really sorry about that,” Marla says when she returns to the table. “I failed her on a test and she’s been stalking me ever since.”
“Not a problem,” Leah says. “Say, where do you disappear to on the weekends?”
“Where did this come from all of a sudden?” Marla says.
“I’m just curious,” Leah says. “I figured you must be sneaking off to some cozy little bed and breakfast to write and might want some company.”
Marla laughs. “Trust me, if I was, you’d be the first one I’d call.” She reaches over and places her hand on Leah’s. “I’m free for the next hour. Want to swing by my place?”
“I’d love to,” Leah says, “but I have a midterm in chemistry coming up. I’ll take a rain check, though.”
“You’re on,” Marla says. They talk for a few minutes before Leah insists she needs to go. Marla walks her to the door and they part with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, then head off in different directions. Leah walks about half a block, then checks to be sure Marla is far enough away, then ducks down a side street and circles back to the rear of the coffee shop, where she finds Dottie seated on the back deck. Leah sits with her.
“Anything?” Dottie says.
Leah shakes her head. “Her license has her campus address. But it did have a different name, Marla Rogan.”
“Rogan?” Dottie says. “That kind of takes some of the luster off.”
Leah leans forward and says confidentially, “Know anyone who works for the university? If I can get on the computer network, I can probably hack into payroll and find out where they’re mailing her checks.”
“Actually, I do,” Dottie says, “and she spends a lot of time away from her desk.” She rises. “Come on.”
Several hours later, they’re back at Leah’s dorm room with new information.
“Shrewsbury,” Dottie says. “Figures she’d live someplace called Shrewsbury.”
“She’s also listed as Mrs. Marla Rogan in payroll,” Leah says.
“I can’t believe you got in so easily,” Dottie says. “How’d you know Barb’s password?”
“I didn’t,” Leah says. “I took the chance she used ‘password’ and it worked.”
“So, what next?”
Leah grins. “Marla has classes all morning. How about a trip to Shrewsbury?”
Dottie laughs. “So, I wonder what the husband of the ultimate feminist looks like?”
“Only one way to find out,” Leah says.
The following morning they hop into Leah’s Karmann Ghia, which Margaret loaned her as she headed off to college, and drove to the address in Shrewsbury, where Marla’s paychecks are being sent. Parked out in front of the brownstone, Dottie says, “You think this is a good idea?”
“Probably not, but I don’t see a lot of options,” Leah replies. “If we just ignore her, she’ll keep doing this.”
“I mean, rather than the dumping part, I did have a good time,” Dottie says.
“Same here,” Leah says. “But she’s taking advantage of impressionable girls when they’re least equipped to handle it.”
“Right,” Dottie says. “We’re just taking a stand. That’s all.”
“Right,” Leah says. She holds up her hand and Dottie grips it and nods.
“Let’s do this,” Dottie says.
They get out and walk up to the door. Dottie rings the bell. A few moments later, a child can be heard yelling, followed by the locks being unlocked. A thin man, probably just under six feet tall, with short blonde hair and tanned, leathery skin, opens the door.
“Yes?” he says. “How may I help you?”
He speaks with the precise phrasing that’s reminiscent of someone who’s first language isn’t English, but Leah cannot detect any recognizable accent.
“Hi,” she says, “are you Mr. Rogan?”
“I’m Lance Rogan, yes,” the man says.
“I’m Dorothy,” Dottie says, “this is Leah. We’re — ah — friends of Marla’s.”
“Ah, yes,” Lance says. “Marla’s not here currently. I believe she’s teaching today.”
“We know,” Leah says. “We’re not here to speak with her.”
“More to speak about her,” Dottie adds.
“I don’t understand,” Lance says. He opens the outer security door. “Please come in.”
As they enter, Leah notes a black woman, wearing a uniform and holding the hand of a small boy.
“Nina, would you take Alexander to the play room?” Lance says to her.
“Of course, Mr. Rogan,” Nina says in what sounds, to Leah, like a Jamaican accent.
“Please have a seat in here,” Lance says, directing the women to the living room. “Can I offer you something to drink?”
“Water would be great,” Dottie says, to which Leah nods.
Leah and Dottie sit on the couch. A moment later, Lance returns with a pitcher and two glasses on a tray which he sets on the coffee table in front of them. He takes a seat in a leather chair facing them.
“Now, how may I help you ladies?” he says. “You say this is about Marla?”
Leah and Dottie look at one another and Leah says, “Mr. Rogan, there’s probably no easy way to say this, but Dorothy and I have been — involved with Marla.”
Lance continues to look at them displaying no emotion. “I see. Why have you brought this information to me? Are you here for money?”
“Oh, no. No. Nothing like that,” Dottie says.
Leah slides to the edge of the couch. “She’s right. We’re here because we feel we’ve been taken advantage of and we wanted to let you know.”
“Please, tell me your stories,” Lance says.
First Dottie, then Leah tells Lance about their relationships with Marla. Throughout both stories, his expression does not change, nor does he display any reaction, other than to occasionally nod. When Leah finishes her story, they sit for a long moment in silence.
Finally, Lance says, “What is it you wish me to do about this? That is, if you are certain you’re not here for money.”
“We don’t exactly know,” Leah says. “To be honest, we didn’t really think this part through very well before coming here.”
“I see,” Lance says with the hint of a smile. “Well, I do not wish to share intimate details of my marriage, since I know nothing about either of you. However I will say that I am aware Marla has certain needs that I’m not able to address. If you have been harmed in any way I apologize.” He rises. “I’ll have a talk with her when she gets in this evening, and we’ll decide together how best to handle this situation.”
He motions toward the door. Leah and Dottie rise and follow him back to the front door.
“I trust you will be making no further trips to visit us?” he says.
Leah and Dottie look at one another.
“Definitely not,” Dottie says. Leah concurs.
“Very good,” Lance says. “I will appreciate your continued discretion on this matter, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course,” Leah says.
“You ladies have an nice afternoon,” Lance says as he lets them out.
Back in the car, Dottie says, “What just happened in there?”
“I have no idea,” Leah says. “Let’s get lunch somewhere.”
“You’re on.”
The following day, when Leah shows up for her Humanities class, Marla isn’t there. The instructor filling in for her explains that Marla has taken a leave of absence for “family reasons”. Neither Leah, nor Dottie, see or hear from her again.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Dottie says as she and Leah are lying on the bed in her dorm room. “You think she’s okay?”
“Hard to tell,” Leah says. “That’s an odd family.”
“We make a pretty good team,” Dottie says. “I have this feeling you and I are going to get into lots of trouble together.”
“I think you’re right,” Leah says. “Still planning on telling your family you’re gay?”
“Nah, I’ve gone back to questioning,” Dottie says. “Why limit myself? My family can figure it out on their own.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Leah says.
“Hey,” Dottie says, sitting up. “What do you think about getting an apartment?”
“Now?”
“No,” Dottie says, “over the summer. You know, just stick around Boston instead of going home.”
“Summer’s a long way off,” Leah says.
“I know. But it doesn’t hurt to plan,” Dottie says. “If we strike at the right time, we could get a great deal.”
“Oh, trust me, I know real estate,” Leah says. “My father’s the man who gave Atlanta its suburban sprawl.”
“Good to know,” Dottie says.
From that point on, not a day goes by that they don’t spend time together. As summer comes along, they move off campus into a nice apartment.
