Page 42 of You + Me – Against the World

It’s already past seven when I get home that evening. I have less than an hour to come up with a good excuse to go out on a weeknight and skip dinner with my parents.

“How were your classes today?” my mother asks, in an effort to make conversation.

“Is your Mr. Abrams still as eloquent as ever?” my father adds.

I think he’s a little fixated on my professor. Just like he is with any man who might be more charismatic than him. Edward Lancaster doesn’t exactly like competition, but the truth is, he thrives on it. He only enjoys a challenge when it lets him prove—mainly to himself—that he’s still the best. He passed this flaw on to Basile, but not to either of his daughters.

It’s strange that we didn’t notice sooner the damage the patriarchy has done to both sexes: men have spent decades trapped in ego battles, while women have been reduced to mere trophies. In the end, everyone loses. But between Clémentine, Lily, and me, I’d like to think this next generation will break the cycle.

In the meantime though, it gives me an idea.

“Yes, Mr. Abrams is definitely still as impressive as ever. I really admire him,” I reply, laying it on thick. “Actually, he was looking for an assistant in class today, and I volunteered.”

I’m not sure yet what I’m going to do with this lie, but at least it proves that I’m focused on my studies, just like they asked me to be. And it might be a good cover for when I want to go out.

“Very good initiative, honey!” my father congratulates me. “Rubbing shoulders with the best is how you’ll climb the ladder and achieve your ambitions.”

“I’ve never heard of a professor having an assistant!” Basile, whom I hadn’t even seen enter the living room, shows up just in time to make things harder for me.

“Who are you? The dean? It’s true, you do dress like him… But do you really know everything that goes on in every major?”

“No, so please enlighten us. What does an assistant do?”

“You should quit marketing and become a detective, Basile,” I say to buy time. “You’ve definitely got a bright future in interrogation. Do you want to hit me with a phone book like they do in those old cop movies?”

“Nobody is going to hit anybody,” my mother says. “But why don’t you tell us all about it, Alma?”

Time to improvise…

“Well, it starts tonight. I have to go to his place to do some filing, sort tapes, and watch film clips that he wants to show us tomorrow.”

“Well, that sure sounds like you’re on your way to becoming a director! Are you going to do his laundry, too?”

“Like you know anything about laundry. You can’t even iron a shirt! You do realize there’s no such thing as a female housekeeping gene, right? Georgia hates it; she’s just paid to clean up after you with a smile!”

“Alright, Simone de Beauvoir, relax. I get it—you want to work instead of doing chores too. Anyway, it’s still not very clear how being his assistant is going to help you break into cinema.”

“Well, at some point I’ll be able to go with him to events, but I have to start with the menial tasks and prove to him I can be useful. Help him prepare classes, take notes when he has ideas, do everything he doesn’t have time to do.”

I feel less and less convincing and more and more furious the more I try to justify myself.

“Artists always have help behind the scenes. And there’s always someone taking care of the lives of brilliant men,” my mother says, smiling at her husband.

“Well, even if all you are is his personal assistant, being in the man’s good graces can only help your career,” my father adds, ignoring his wife.

“Are you serious?” Lily sighs. “It’s like you’re stuck in the Middle Ages or something.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be the brilliant woman one day, and there’ll be a man at your service to help you start the revolution,” I assure my little sister, hugging her tightly.

Basile rolls his eyes and huffs, but doesn’t say anything.

My mother takes advantage of this apparent truce. “Well, when will you be off, Alma? Do you have time for dinner beforehand? Georgia says it’s almost ready.”

“No, Mom, I’ve got to be there at eight, so I need to go get ready.”

“I’ll drive you, sis. I know where Abrams lives on campus.”

“Why are you suddenly so helpful? There’s no need… bro.”