"Hey," said Greg. "Need any help?..."
"No," I replied. I sensed he needed something. What does he need? He always needs something... I've begun to think his taking the guest house wasn't such a hot idea. It is fun though, to stay up late at night goofing and laughing 'til we scream, then falling asleep only fifty feet away.
But so far I've lent Greg - half a dozen eggs, my favorite tie (that came back with egg on it), ten postage stamps, a pair of brand new Calvins, four condoms, assorted colors, my favorite new video and now....
"What do you need, Greg?"
"What makes you think I need -- ?"
"Spill it," I bark with a smile on my face and he caves. Wow. This time it's gotta be something real big 'cause he's all nervous. What could be bigger than asking if he can move into the guest house, which technically is Eric's guest house and technically, Eric can't stand Greg. What could be bigger than asking me to ask Eric to see Mike and his messed up knee? And then having Eric find out and asking Eric to forgive him?
Come to think of it, Greg asks an awful lot, doesn't he?
"Yes, Greg? You were saying?"
"uh, uh, uh, well, I uh, was thinking....I thought maybe you'd like to, I mean it's totally up to you, of course but...uh, uh, you maybe wanna pose for some pictures for my art class?" he whispered to me.
"Sure, but you don't have to whisper."
"Well," he said. "I don't really think Eric would want you to do it, so I don't think he should hear. "
"Eric? He'll get over it. Besides, it's not like you're taking pictures of me naked, or anything."
BEAT
BEAT
BEAT
"You want me to posed naked?"
He nodded. That's exactly what he wanted.
Well, it does two things. It makes me nervouse as hell, and horny as hell, not necessarily in that order. Naked. I mean, of course, Greg's seen me naked before, that's not it -- it's his class, or some stranger seeing me naked... I don't know if I can deal with that aspect.
But Greg swears up and down they're just for him. Just so he can learn how to light nudes; and coming from anyone but Greg, I would call 'em a liar. But I do know how serious he is about his art
And then of course, there's Eric's reaction.
Right now, he was yelling at some football player on the television. "RUN, YOU MORON!" Fran was countering with "GET 'IM, GET HIM!!!"
I think about if for a moment. I feel kind of -- honored.
"I swear, no one else will ever see these photos."
"Swear-swear??"
"Cross my heart."
"Okay. Sure, let's do it."
