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socks and my toothbrush and my paper and slides? I know, I know you’ve got a handle on the small things.”
    “Exactly. I was just being helpful. And speaking of which, I also had to deal with that sink full of ladylike unmentionables you left for me.”
    “What ladylike unmentionables?” I could practically feel heads swiveling behind me. “What are you talking about?”
    “You know. Your moon pies, your jockstrap.”
    “It’s not a jockstrap,” I said. “It’s a female groin protector. There’s a big difference. And you should just call them breast shields. Sorry about that—and thanks. I meant to get to it, but I just didn’t get a chance.” By the curious glances of my colleagues, it was more than time to change subjects. “What are you two up to while Marty’s in New York?”
    “Movies. Lots of explosions, gunplay, and semi-naked women. Meat, cheese, beer. We’ve been planning for two weeks now. Kam’s desperate for male company, someone over the age of two. He’s had enough of play dates for Sophia, this one’s for him.”
    “Well, you can help there. Okay, have fun. Careful out driving.”
    “Yep, you too. Good luck with your paper. And did you have a chance to take care of you-know-who yet?”
    I turned away from the table. “Yep. Just did.”
    “Good. Wouldn’t want to ruin a tradition.”
    We said our I-love-yous and goodbyes and I returned to the table.
    “Trouble in paradise?” said Brad.
    I looked at him, surprised. “No. Why?”
    “Little spat over domestic duties.” He smirked.
    I shrugged, annoyed with him. “Please. That was a discussion. Brian and I are both lead dog–types, and sometimes, without anyone else around, we start both trying to lead at the same time. We know what’s up.”
    “I’m surprised with your enlightened view of the world, you’d be so unsympathetic,” Carla said to Brad.
    “Not at all,” he replied. “It’s just that we schedule everything out so there is no distraction from what’s important in life.”
    “Well, if you all aren’t going to ask her, I am,” Lissa said to the table at large. “What the heck are you doing, wearing a jockstrap?”
    “Like I said, it’s a female groin protector.”
    “Groin protection. Breast shields.” Lissa chewed that over. “What are you and Brian up to? I’ll give you credit, you’re into some advanced stuff. Most of us just muddle along with nubbly condoms and vibrators.”
    “Ha. Ha.” I looked over my cards. “It’s for my Krav Maga, to keep from getting kicked or punched somewhere fragile.”
    “Krav Maga like Kama Sutra?”
    “Do you always have to take the low road, Liss?” Carla asked. “It’s E’s fancy self-defense class, Israeli martial arts.”
    Brad shuddered. “You’re going to ruin your joints with all that violent stuff. You should try yoga. More yin, less yang.”
    “Right.” I made a face. “In my abundant spare time.”
    Brad was insistent. “It would help with your stress. And by the way, you were late tonight, Emma. It’s not like you to keep us waiting.”
    I wasn’t about to tell him what I’d actually been up to; Carla and I had a thing about playing practical jokes on each other. “I ran into a student of mine,” I said as casually as I could; it was true anyway. I just made a detour after that. “She wanted to ask me something before her paper. Besides, Jay was here only a minute before me and Sue’s later than both of us.”
    Carla was eyeing me hard, and I worried she smelled a rat. She made a rude noise. “And Jay? Where were you?”
    “Oh, I was talking with our illustrious guest of honor,” he said, stacking his chips. “Garrison had some questions for me. More like demands.”
    “Ha!” Carla snorted. “I hear that.”
    Jay continued. “But where’s Sue anyway? She trying to save money by not showing up to let me take it?”
    A knock at the door answered her before we could, and I got up to find it was the woman herself. Her eyes were