Chapter 7: Lisa and Julie - In Which They Celebrate a Birthday

It was late afternoon on a perfect fall day in the Public Garden as Lisa and Julie walked hand in hand on the path across the pond from the Swan Boat dock. It had been two weeks since their trip to the beach, the boats were shut down for the season, and Julie was already immersed in her schoolwork. The sky was clear and the sun was bright, but there was a definite feel of fall already and there were already a few leaves rustling along on the path ahead of them. They made their way to a quiet bench facing the water, where they sat side by side, their shoulders touching. Lisa took one of Julie’s hands and gently rubbed it.

“So, your birthday, it’s Sunday. How do you want to celebrate?” she asked. “We could meet up here in the city, have a nice dinner, then maybe,” she lowered her voice, “a romantic night at my apartment? If you think that might be fun.”

Julie’s face lit up momentarily as she replied, “I would love that more than anything, but...,”

“But?”

Julie paused for a moment as she watched a family of ducks progressing across the pond.

“But, Monday morning will be the first time that I lead a discussion section in the Art History class I’m TA’ing. I know the material, but I need to be ready to answer any questions that students might ask. I need to go over the readings and the lecture materials a few more times before I feel comfortable. Professor Smith will be there to evaluate me and I want to make a good impression, but I also want to make a good impression on the students.”

“That sounds like a lot of pressure. Do you think you’ll feel ready by then?”

Julie sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I think I will be, but I will need most of the weekend. I really want to get this right, Lisa.”

Lisa gave her a quick hug. “I get it, Julie. This is a big deal. We can celebrate another day. We can do all of that sometime next week, right?”

“Oh, no, no, no! It has to be on my birthday! I want birthday sex!”

“You want what?”

“Birthday SEX! Birthday SEX! Birthday SEX!”

“Julie, could you shout ‘Birthday sex’ a little quieter. People are starting to stare. And what do you mean by ‘birthday sex’ exactly?”

“It’s sex on my birthday and that means that you have to do whatever I want.”

“And what do you think you might want me to do for you on your birthday?”

“Hmm, let me think about that. Yes, I know. I want you to eat my pussy.”

“Um, sweetie,” Lisa’s voice lowered a little, “I love to eat your pussy and I will happily do so on any day of the year, birthday or not. Is there something else you want? Something else that would make your day special?”

“I don’t know what else I might want. Are there any kinky lesbian sex things that we haven’t tried? Something I might like?”

“There are so many things we haven’t done yet. You wouldn’t believe. Don’t worry. I’ll come up with something super fun and we’ll do it on your birthday, OK?”

“What will it be? Julie asked.

“You know I can’t tell you, because then it wouldn’t be a surprise. And where are we going to do this kinky lesbian sex thing? Somewhere closer to campus?”

Julie smiled brightly. “We could have dinner at the dining hall and then, well,” she paused and her smile became mischievous, “I could sneak you into the sorority house after dark.”

Lisa raised her eyebrows, instantly intrigued. “Sneak me in? Really?”

Julie nodded, lowering her voice as if sharing a naughty secret.

“Yes. You remember the back staircase, right? As a senior, I was able to claim one of the singles on the third floor and the staircase leads right to it. When no one is looking, we can come in the back door and go right up to my room and no one will know we are there.”

“As long as the birthday sex doesn’t get too loud.”

“It’ll be a little adventure, don’t you think?”, Julie asked playfully.

Lisa smiled, watching two squirrels chasing each other frantically around the trunk of a nearby tree.

“It sounds very exciting. Us doing unspeakable things to each other bodies while the sisterhood is sleeping peacefully all throughout the house. I love this idea, but I do want to make one suggestion to make it even more amazing.”

“What’s that?”

“What if we ditch the dining hall and eat at the Faculty Club instead?”

“Uh, remind me which one of us is a member of the faculty?”

“We can do this. I joined the alumni association when I signed up for the reunion in June and access to the Faculty Club is one of the perks. So, I can make the reservation and you can be my guest. Not only will we have an elegant dining experience, but we will minimize the chance of you being spotted by one of your sisters. That might require a little bit of explaining, you know.”

“Yes, those are some very good reasons to skip the dining hall.”

“And one more thing,” Lisa continued. “I remember what the food was like in the dining hall when I was at St. M’s. it’s a risk every time. We do not want to celebrate your 21st birthday with food poisoning, do we?”

Julie smiled. “This is sounding better and better. An elegant dining experience and birthday sex! This will be the best birthday ever! I can’t wait!”

The sun had been slowly descending behind the Hancock and the Pru while they talked and the air was beginning to feel a little chilly. With their plans made, Lisa and Julie left their bench and continued their walk with their arms tightly intertwined. They were both excited for the upcoming celebration of Julie’s birthday.

Sunday evening arrived and Lisa pulled into the parking lot by the Student Center, looking around to see if Julie was there yet. Lisa had made a reservation for 7:00 PM. She hoped that that would give Julie enough time to fully prepare for leading her discussion session in the morning and also leave some time for her to relax and enjoy herself. She also wanted to make sure that it would be fully dark when it came time to sneak in the back door of the sorority house after dinner.

Lisa spotted Julie waiting near the entrance to the Faculty Club wearing a very elegant sapphire-blue fitted dress that accented her beautiful blue eyes. Lisa reminded herself as she walked up just how lucky she was to be with this woman.

“Been waiting long?” she asked as she approached Julie and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“A few minutes. I’m just so excited to see the inside of the Faculty Club. I have always wondered what it’s like inside. Can we go in?”

“We’re a few minutes early, but sure, let’s go! I’ve never been inside either.”

They stepped up to the doors of the Faculty Club together, and Lisa pulled one open, bowing slightly as an invitation to enter. The restaurant’s interior was elegant, with dark wood-paneled walls, subdued lighting and richly upholstered chairs at tables set with crisp white linens. Lisa saw Julie’s eyes widen a little as she took in the room.

The host approached. “Good evening. You have a reservation?”

Lisa smiled. “Yes, for seven o’clock, under Brooks.”

The host led them to a table by a window, with a view of a courtyard with a few dry leaves blowing across it. Soft music played in the background, adding to the cozy ambiance. Once they were seated, Julie took Lisa’s hand on the table, looked at her and smiled.

“Thank you for all of this and for being so understanding. This is going to be my best birthday ever.”

Lisa gave Julie’s hand a gentle squeeze. “You deserve an incredible birthday. I’m just happy I get to share it with you.”

Their waiter came with glasses of water and menus and spent a few minutes describing the specials. Immediately after he left, Lisa excused herself and followed after him. Moments later, she returned and took up her menu.

“Some of those specials sounded good, but I want to study the whole menu before I decide. Should we get some wine to start with?”

“Why did you run off just now?”

“Nothing, really. Just a question about the menu. What looks good to you?”

When the waiter came back, they gave their orders and Lisa asked for a bottle of Pinot Noir and then gave the waiter a little wink.

“Excellent choice with this meal, madam, but I ‘m afraid that I will have to ask the young lady for some ID,” he said, turning to Julie.

“What’s that?” Julie said, looking up in surprise.

“ID, miss. I need to be sure that you are of age,” he said with an even subtler wink at Lisa.

“Ohh, I understand,” Julie replied, smiling now in Lisa’s direction.

Julie spent a few moments fishing around in her purse and then presented her driver’s license with a flourish. The waiter examined it gravely and then handed it back to her.

“Happy birthday, Miss Hartman. I hope everything about your birthday dinner is to your satisfaction.”

Lisa was no longer able to stifle her laughter as Julie turned back to her.

“You did that, didn’t you? You rat!”

“It was pretty funny, wasn’t it? You looked so flustered for just a moment.”

“OK, it was funny. It was funny and I forgive you.”

“Oh, good. I didn’t want to be sleeping in the doghouse tonight.”

“Don’t worry, you will not be sleeping in the doghouse tonight or any night.”

As the waiter was clearing the plates from their main courses, Julie noticed someone familiar entering the restaurant.

“Oh, look who just came in,” Julie exclaimed.

“Please tell me it isn’t one of your sisters,” Lisa replied, “Are we busted?”

“No, it’s Professor Smith and I think that must be her wife with her.”

Julie wanted to call out, but thought it might be undignified in such a setting. She didn’t have to, though, because Professor Smith saw her and they came over to greet them.

“Julie! Good evening,” Professor Smith said with a smile, glancing between the two of them. “And Lisa! It’s lovely to see you both again.” She turned to her wife. “Claire, Julie is the new TA I’ve been telling you so many wonderful things about and I met Lisa with Julie in July at the Friedrich gala at the MFA.

Claire extended her hand to Julie with a warm smile.

“I’m Claire and it’s nice to finally meet you. I have heard wonderful things from Professor Smith. And I am happy to meet you as well, Lisa.”

“Thank you, it’s lovely to meet you too.” Julie replied.

Julie was feeling bashful and a little bit in awe.

“We’re here celebrating, actually. It’s my 21st birthday today.”

Professor Smith’s eyes lit up, and she gave a pleased nod. “Well, happy birthday, Julie! You certainly deserve a celebration, especially after all the hard work you’ve been putting in. I’m really looking forward to seeing you lead that discussion tomorrow.”

Julie blushed slightly, nodding. “Thank you, Professor. I’m a little nervous, but I’m excited too. I’ve been reviewing the readings about Lascaux and the Venus of Willendorf. Those are some of the things that I think the students might want to talk about.”

Professor Smith placed a reassuring hand on Julie’s shoulder.

“With your passion, I have no doubt you’ll do wonderfully. But don’t forget to celebrate your birthday properly and then get a good night’s sleep.”

Lisa couldn’t be sure, but Professor Smith may have winked at her just a bit. Lisa laid her hand on Julie’s on the table, a silent gesture of pride, and looked at Professor Smith. “Thank you for saying that,” she said. “Julie has been working so hard. I know she’s going to be amazing tomorrow.”

Claire, sensing they shouldn’t take any more of the young lovers’ time, said “Well, we’ll leave you to your dinner, but I would like for us to get together away from campus sometime. It would be lovely to get to know you both better.”

They all shook hands again and exchanged parting words, and after Professor Smith and Claire left, Julie looked down at her plate, for a thoughtful moment.

“You really think I can do this?” she asked quietly.

Lisa leaned in, her voice low and affectionate. “You can and tomorrow, my love, you’re going to inspire everyone in that section to sign up to be an Art History major. Just you wait and see.”