The semester is all of two days old and it's only my third day on the job.  I'm finishing up some paper work and almost ready for lunch when Jennifer walks into the office; my office and I see she's not alone.  She has a girl with her.  She walks up to my desk with this girl and hands me a styrofoam cup.

 

    "Here," she says.  "It's tea."

 

    I take it as a peace offering, although we never really went to war.  Jennifer just quickly forgot about me.  I went back to work as an Assistant Recreation Therapist, right after Shannon left, but that only lasted for a few weeks.  I kept asking Jennifer what she thought she was doing with Tim, but she wouldn't talk about it.  She wouldn't do lunch with me, anymore.  She never went home from work anymore, so we weren't going to work together in the mornings.  I tried calling her a few times, right after I quit, but she wouldn't take my phone calls.  As a matter of fact, the first time I'd spoken to her in quite some time was when I called to see if Koa could have my old job.

 

    "This is Theresa," she says, introducing me to her girl friend.  "Theresa, this is Ben."

 

    Theresa touches my arm with her hand and smiles.

 

    "I've heard a lot of great things about you," she says and I find myself staring at Jennifer.

 

    I'm staring at Jennifer and I'm thinking, Jennifer should forget about nursing.  Jennifer should go into politics, instead.  She'd make a great diplomat.  Not only does she come with a peace offering, she brings a buffer zone, as well.  If I'm slightly irked at Jennifer, I'm not going to say anything to her, now.  I don't want to start anything in front of her friend.

 

    "When are you free for lunch?"  Jennifer asks.

 

    "Now."

 

    "Great!  We don't have another class for an hour and a

 half."
 

   "Well," I add and glance at Theresa.  
 

   There is something about her that forces me to surrender.  "Let's do the Campus Coffee Hut."
 

   "Okay," Jennifer says.  "There's just one problem.  I don't have any money.  School cost so much these days and the books for these courses nearly broke me."
 

   I'm reminded of the fact that Jennifer never has any money.  Jennifer drives around in a brand new car, so Jennifer has car payments to make.  Jennifer needs new clothes for school, so Jennifer has charge cards to pay off.  She was broke when she came back from Israel and she's broke now.
 

   "Well you'll just have to watch us eat," I tell her and the three of us are on our way.


    That night, Jennifer starts taking me home from school.  Jennifer is also taking Theresa home from school.  We leave the school at five O'clock in the evening and we go first, to Theresa's house.  Jennifer is also taking Theresa to school in the mornings and so, Jennifer starts taking me to school, as well.  Jennifer thinks it's pretty nice to be taking Theresa and I to school.  Jennifer makes a point of mentioning it every now and again.  I think it's pretty nice of Jennifer to be taking Theresa and I to school, too; but if I were Jennifer I wouldn't be mentioning it at all.
 

   The three of us start having lunch together, on a daily basis and Jennifer never has any money.  Jennifer has to feed her four cylinder, fuel efficient car.  It's a little Honda, Civic and it's amazing how much gas is these days.  It's equally amazing that this goes on through out the semester.
 

   Through out the semester, Theresa is brilliant.  Jennifer is not.  What comes to Theresa, naturally, Jennifer has to struggle to learn.  Theresa does a lot to help Jennifer learn.  She starts to spend many hours into the night at Jennifer's house.  She spends a lot of time walking Jennifer's dog.  She spends more time doing Jennifer's dishes.  I wonder if she does Jennifer's laundry, as well.
 

   Theresa is Jennifer's best female friend.  I'm Jennifer's best male friend.  Jennifer makes a point of letting us both know, every now and again.  I'm not sure what I did to deserve such an honor.  I'm not sure I even care.
 

   Thanksgiving break comes and my folks are off to New Hampshire.  The week leading up to the holiday, is insane.  Mid-semester exams are going on and Theresa and Jennifer are pulling all night study sessions.  Jennifer's folks are going to Nevada to spend the holiday with Jennifer's millionaire brother.  Jennifer decides the three of us should do Thanksgiving together.  I'll buy the food and they'll cook.  It sounds like a pretty good idea to me.
 

   Jennifer and Theresa take their last exam on the last day of classes.  On the way home from school, they stop at a liquor store for a night of celebration.  They celebrate at Jennifer's house.  I go shopping for the following days festivities.
 

   I get home around nine in the evening and the phone rings.  It's Jennifer.  Jennifer insists I come over.  I tell Jennifer, I'm tired; it's late; I haven't had anything to eat and I want to take a shower.  Jennifer tells me there's Chinese food in the house and I have to come over.  I have to have a celebration drink with her and Theresa.  I tell Jennifer I can have my celebration drink tomorrow.
 

   Jennifer puts Theresa on the phone.
 

   I have a soft spot for Theresa.  She isn't anything like Jennifer.  She's quiet; shy.  She really seems like a sweet girl.  She has eyes like Koa; puppy dog eyes and the same kind of moppy hair.  That, however, is where the similarity ends.  Theresa is brilliant while Koa had given up on herself long before she gave up on her education.  Koa is school girl petite.  Theresa looks like a model.  Theresa loves to party, but she doesn't live for it.  It isn't a means of escape.  Theresa is sensitive.  She has a lot of depth.  Sometimes, it seems as if Koa can't see beyond the tip of her nose.  Theresa wants me to come over and just like with Koa, I can't come up with a way to say no.
 

   I put away the groceries and go straight up to Jennifer's house.  Theresa answers the door.  I follow her into Jennifer's mother's bedroom where she climbs onto the bed with Jennifer.  There's a big bottle of J & B on an end table, along with a bottle of ginger ale.  I'm sure they've been drinking for quite some time.  Jennifer tells me to get a glass with some ice, out in the kitchen and Theresa climbs off the bed to get it for me.  Jennifer slaps me on the leg.  She rubs my thigh.
 

   "I'm so glad you're here."
 

   Theresa returns with a glass full of ice and Jennifer grabs it from her.  She pours me one hell of a drink.  She hands me a glass of J & B whisky, with a splash of ginger ale.
 

   "To us," she says, raising her glass.  "To all three of us."
 

   I nod my head and stare at Jennifer.  She has this look in her eye.  I can't quite shake the feeling that she's up to something, but I can't quite put my finger on it, either.
 

   We drink.
 

   Theresa wants to know what I'm doing for the rest of the evening.  I tell her I have nothing planned.  I tell her I intend to finish my drink, go home and eat; hit the shower and call it a night.  I'm tired.  It's been a long day.
 

   Jennifer reminds me that they have Chinese food and crawls out of bed to get me some.  I really don't have anything in the house to eat and the plate of Shrimp Lo Mein is quite appealing.  I eat.  Jennifer keeps urging me to drink up and I finally finish my drink.
 

   Jennifer pours me another one.
 

   I finish dinner and put down my drink.  Once again, I decide to go.  Theresa doesn't understand why I'm in such a hurry to leave.  I tell her I want to hit the shower and call it a day.  It's been a long day.  I thought I had pointed that out already.  It's been a long day.  I'm really very tired.  Did you ever point something out to someone and then have to point it out to them again and again and again?  Isn't it strange how that happens?  I mean, hasn't that ever happened to you?  Why do you suppose that happens?
 

   Jennifer pours me another drink.
 

   "You can use the shower here," she suggests.  "Besides, you have to have one for the road."
 

   She passes me the glass.
 

   "Yeah.  Why don't you use the shower here?"  Theresa asks.
 

   I didn't want to say why I didn't want to use the shower there.  Twice, since Jennifer and I started talking again, Jennifer showed up at my house just as I was about to get into the shower.  Both times, after I got into the shower, Jennifer got into the bathroom.  The second time, I told Jennifer I hoped we weren't going to have a scene like the first time.  The first time, while I was in the shower, Jennifer drew back the curtain and kept apologizing for having to look.  I kept insisting she should join me and do a little bit more than just look, but she kept insisting that she couldn't.  I never understood why she couldn't, but the second time it happened, it really pissed me off.  She pulled back the curtain and lifted her shirt for compensation.  I wanted the girl to climb in with me, but she swore she'd cry rape if I tried anything.  I wasn't bucking for a third encounter.
 

   Jennifer was cruel.
 

   Jennifer was insensitive.
 

   Jennifer sat straight up in bed and looked at me.  
 

   She looked at Theresa and then looked at me, again.
 

   "Can I tell Theresa something really personal about you?"
 

   "No," I said.  I knew exactly what she was thinking.
 

   "Please?"
 

   In that moment, I hated Jennifer.  Jennifer was going to say to Theresa what she intended to say, whether I was there or not.  I was surprised she hadn't already said it.
 

   "You're going to say it anyway, so you might as well say it now."
 

   Jennifer turns towards Theresa.  "Ben has the biggest schlong you'll ever see."
 

   I didn't think it was any of Theresa's business.  I did think that I wanted Theresa to find out, but I didn't want it to be because she was curious.
 

   I also didn't think it was particularly true.
 

   Theresa looks at me and it's as if she's looking at me for the first time.
 

   "Why don't you take a bath?"  She asks.
 

   "I want to wash my hair."
 

   "Jennifer and I can wash your hair."
 

   I should have left.
 

   "Yeah," Jennifer yells.  "We can all take a bath together."
 

   "Right," I tell Jennifer.  Jennifer would never climb into a tub with two other people.  Jennifer was too good for that.  Jennifer was too special.
 

   "I'll go run the tub," Jennifer announces and she's off to the bathroom.
 

   Theresa is smiling.  She is sipping on her drink and a bit more drunk than I knew.
 

   Jennifer returns from the bathroom.
 

   "The tub's ready," she says grabbing me by the arm.
 

   The two of us make our way into the bathroom.  Theresa lags behind.  I face Jennifer.  Jennifer faces me.
 

   "Let's go," I begin and pull off my shirt.  "We'll undress together."
 

   Jennifer is all smiles.  She keeps nodding her head up and down, but she isn't doing anything.
 

   "Well?"  I ask throwing my shirt to the floor.  "Are you coming?  This was your idea."
 

   "Uh huh," she says, smiling and nodding.  "You go first."
 

   "You are so full of ****, Jen, it's running out of your ears."
 

   I'm just about to turn around and walk away when Theresa walks in.  She pushes herself between Jennifer and I, strips off her clothes and climbs into the tub.
 

   She looks at Jennifer and then at me.
 

   "What are you waiting for?"
 

   I look at Theresa.  I thought bodies like hers were only found in men's magazines.  I remind myself that she is loaded.  She has to be loaded.  I should really leave.
 

   "Is something wrong?"  She asks.
 

   I'm staring at Theresa and thinking about how often she's called Jennifer her best friend.  I'm thinking about all the times she's rubbed my arm affectionately and told me how much she values our relationship.  "You and Jennifer are my only real friends."
 

   Theresa is sitting in a tub of warm water because she has no reason to doubt us.  She took us at our word and she was duped.  She was caught in Jennifer's little game.  I should go.  I should leave, but I think she'd be hurt.  I think she'd feel so used.
 

   Besides, she is absolutely stunning.
 

   I undress and climb into the tub with her.
 

   She looks at Jennifer.
 

   "Come on," she says.
 

   "Yeah," I add.  "Come on, Jennifer."
 

   Jennifer isn't happy.  Jennifer is angry.  Jennifer has lost control of the game.
 

   "There isn't enough room."
 

   "Sure there is," I tell her.
 

   Theresa grabs a disposable razor hanging from a plastic tray.
 

   "Would you shave my legs?  They're nubby."
 

   "Are you kidding?" I ask looking at her.
 

   Theresa raises one leg up so that the back of her foot is on my shoulder.  I grab a bar of soap and soap up her leg.
 

   Jennifer turns around and walks out of the bathroom.  She walks in and out of the bathroom, three or four times, in the time it takes me to do Theresa's legs.
 

   Theresa asks me to turn around.  She says she wants to wash my hair and I let her.  Jennifer keeps walking in and out of the bathroom, mumbling under her breath.  Theresa is oblivious to her.  I'm not.  One of her trips to the bathroom, features an empty J & B bottle.  She is clutching it around the neck.  She raises it above her shoulder, but when I spot her, she freezes.
 

   "What am I doing?"  She asks and walks out of the bathroom.
 

   She walks back into the bathroom and rolls up her sleeves.  By now, Theresa has rinsed all the soap off of my hair.  I turn back around so that I'm facing her and Jennifer pulls the legs of her sweats up above her knee's.  She climbs into the tub and sits down on the ledge.
 

   I guess she decided if anybody is going to wash the part that matters, it's going to be her, because she grabs the bar of soap, soaps her hands up and tells me to lean back.  By now, I'm fully aroused, but I'm also angry.  Jennifer had set the wheels in motion.  Theresa is totally drunk and not someone I want to take advantage of.
 

   Jennifer's hands find their way to the place they most want to be and I have to admit; I want them there.  Deep down inside, I had wanted them to be their ever since our picnic at Herman's Falls, but this wasn't the way I wanted it to be.  I'm angry and my anger alone, keeps her from accomplishing anything.  When Theresa wants to know if she needs a hand, Jennifer has had enough.  She rings out her hands, climbs out of the tub and storms off into another room.
 

   "Is something wrong?"  Theresa asks.  "Did I do something wrong?"
 

   "No," I tell her.  "I think we should get out, now.  Let me get you a towel."
 

   I start to get up when Jennifer comes back into the bathroom.  She has two full glasses of I don't know what.  She hands one to Theresa.
 

   "Is everything okay?"  Theresa asks.  "Are you mad at me?"
 

   "You're my best friend," Jennifer says.  "Why would I be mad at you?  Now, drink up."
 

   Jennifer puts her own glass to her lips and starts to sip.  She encourages Theresa to drink.  I notice Jennifer isn't drinking.  She's watching Theresa down this huge glass of what has to be straight whisky.  I'm sure it's straight whisky.
 

   Theresa is half finished with her drink when I grab the glass away from her.  She starts to get up and slips.  I catch her.  Jennifer takes the glass from me and walks out of the bathroom.  Theresa holds her head.
 

   "I'm dizzy," she says.  "I'm so dizzy."
 

   She starts to call out to Jennifer, but Jennifer won't come.
 

   "Come on, Theresa.  Let me get you into bed."
 

   "Why won't Jennifer answer me?  Why won't Jennifer help me?"
 

   I put my arms around Theresa and help her out of the tub.  I move her over to the sink and tell her to hold on while I grab a towel.  I dry her off and guide her back into the bedroom.  She keeps calling out to Jennifer, but Jennifer won't come and after a while, Theresa starts to cry.
 

   I help her into bed and she's clutching me.  She's holding my arms and she won't let go.
 

   "Please lay down with me.  Please lay down with me.  I'm so dizzy.  I'm so cold.  Is it cold?"
 

   "Okay.  Okay."  I crawl into bed with her.
 

   She curls up in the fetal position, facing me and I hold her.  I hold her tight.  She's crying and asking for Jennifer.  I keep telling her to hush, everything is okay.  I keep having to tell myself to cool off.  This isn't the ideal situation, but she's rocking and rubbing.
 

   Jennifer finally comes into the bedroom and pulls off the sheet.
 

   "Get out of this bed!"  She says and I start to sit up, but Theresa is reaching for me; pleading with me not to leave her alone and then all the booze erupts from her like water from a fire hose and guess who happens to be the fire?
 

   I'm so glad I was facing Jennifer.
 

   "Are you happy now?"  I ask, covered from the left shoulder down in recycled booze and Chinese food.  "Your best friend is as sick as a dog and all you're worried about is whether or not I'm **** her!  You go get a damp wash cloth."
 

   I turn towards Theresa.  She's back in the fetal position, rocking like a baby and shivering.
 

   I sit her up and bend her head forward.  She throws up some more and then goes through five minutes of the dry heaves.  Jennifer comes back into the bedroom with a damp wash cloth.  She hands it to me.
 

   "Go get some fresh bedding."
 

   I wipe Theresa's face and then carry her into Jennifer's bedroom.  She doesn't want me to leave.  I explain to her that I have to rinse off.  I promise her I'll be right back.  I turn on the shower and let the water rinse everything off of me and then go back to Theresa.  She's sitting up in bed, holding the waist paper basket and experiencing the dry heaves, again.  When it finally passes, I crawl into bed with her and she soon falls asleep.
 

   I climb out of bed.
 

   I find my clothes and then I find Jennifer.  She had the bed cleaned, the mattress wiped and fresh bedding in place.  She's sitting on the edge of the mattress, crying.
 

   I'm surprised.
 

   "What are you crying about?"
 

   "You hate me," she sobs.  "Theresa hates me."
 

   I laugh.  I'm glad it's finally over.  I'm glad Theresa is finally asleep, but I'm not sure I want Jennifer to know any of this.  At least, not yet.
 

   "Hate you?"  I begin and consider adding that hate is to kind a word.  "I don't hate you.  I'm angry as all hell at you, for what you did, but I don't hate you."
 

   "Then you'll talk to me again?"
 

   "I'll talk to you."
 

   I slip into my shoes.
 

   "One of these days," I add, turning around and finally leaving for home where, I should have remained to begin with.