My stomach was doing flip flops as I stood behind stage,
listening to Beth's presentation. She was good, I thought to myself as I
sighed. Dammit, I didn't think mine was that good. I sighed again willing
my body to relax, I lectured in front of hundreds of people everyday.
Yeah, teenagers mostly, my mind reminded me. I looked through the
curtain and could see a least 100 people sitting in their 'Sunday Best'.
Dammit, I was nervous. I was so nervous that when my phone rang in
the pocket of my dress slacks I jumped a foot. I smiled as I saw Evan's
number flash on the caller id.

"Hey you!" His happy voice flowed through to me.

"Hey, how are you?"

"I'm just peachy as I can be. But I wanted to call you and wish
you good luck."

I smiled, "Thank you."

"You're more than welcome, and don't you worry you will be
wonderful"

"How did you know I was nervous?"

"Darlin, I have known you for years, I know you better than I
know the back of my own hand." He said and I could just see him
holding up his hand looking at it.

I laughed, "Thank you. I needed to hear someone tell me that."

"Well of course. Now, go knock em dead. Well not dead, you
want them alive so they will give you money. Lots and lots of money." I
couldn't help but laugh. He sounded just like Anya from Buffy. "Yeah,
now there we go. I wanted to hear you laugh. Now good luck. Call me,
okay?"

"Okay I will. Thank you Ev."

"You're welcome. Bye"

"Bye." I smiled as I hit end and looked up as Beth came back
through the curtain.

"Good luck" She said as she passed me. I nodded and waited for
the President of the University to call my name.

"And now, I'm pleased to present our one and only Medieval
Historian, Dr. Madison Montgomery."

"Thank you President Todd." I said as I took my place at the
podium. I began my presentation, flipping through the PowerPoint that
I had created, trying my best to keep my voice from shaking and trying
even harder not to see all the people in the audience.

"So in conclusion, most professionals agree that the best way to
learn something is to do so through hands on learning. With history it
can be difficult to do so. With American history is can be a bit more
simple by going on field trips to tribal grounds or to museums. With
Medieval History, I don't have that option as it stands right now. That's
why I'm here tonight to ask for your help in funding trips to Europe so
that the students of the University of Kentucky can see first hand what
it means to really study Medieval History. Thank you all very much for
your consideration."

I stepped behind the curtain and finally took a deep breath.

"Wow, that was really good." Beth said walking toward me.

"Yeah right, it was horrible."

"Shut up, I'm jealous. That was great"

"You're serious aren't you?" I looked at her.

"Yes, that was great. Dr. Todd even said so while he was back
here." Beth said with a huge grin on her face.

"Oh wow." I stared at her shocked.

"Montgomery, good job out there. Some of the guests want to
talk to you." President Todd said placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Oh, okay." I knew I went pale, I could feel the color drain from
my face.

"It will be okay, they may ask you what you teach, nothing major.
You did great." He said and left. I looked back at Beth and smiled.

"Told you. Come on lets get this over with. I'm itching for a
drink." Beth said and pulled me toward the stage door.

I sighed as I sat down in my office almost an hour later. I looked
up as Beth stepped into my darkened office.

"Well that was an eventful night." Beth said sitting down.

"I am so tired, you have no idea."

"Why are you so tired?"

"I can't get any peaceful sleep." I said leaning my head back
trying to stretch the sore muscles.

"Why not?"

"Dreams."

"Oh, I hope they are hot and nasty."

"Oh if you only knew." I said with a groan.

"Oh do tell."

"Not a chance in hell." I said looking at her.

"Oh, so there about the mystery man."

"He's not a mystery. I know exactly who he is."

"Yeah, that's the point. You know and I've known you over a year
and I know absolutely nothing about him." Beth said sounding a little
disturbed.

"Beth, he is an ex. There isn't anything to tell." I said sighing.

"Oh but I do believe there is something to tell." I heard an all too
familiar voice comment from the door.