Chapter 9: Spring Semester and Persona Non Grata

After spring break, I decided to pay a visit to the fraternity house to check how my former college pals were doing. It was during the Greek Games that I decided to go. This was generally the highlight of the spring semester, allowing fraternity members to let off steam after being cooped up inside for the most of the winter.

Instead of driving my automobile, I chose to ride my bicycle. It served as both a mode of transportation and a form of exercise. I had gained a few pounds during the previous months caused by prolonged sitting and eating at fast food restaurants. I rode up to the rear of the house to the parking area, where I was met by my younger fraternity members. Comments like “Where have you been?” and “Look what the cat dragged in” were prevalent.

My comment back was, “Yeah, I am glad to see you too.”

I strolled over to the kegs to pour some beer and observed that my presence made a number of the females who frequented the frat house uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure what that was about, so I figured the less said the better. I approached my fraternity little brother and greeted him. His girlfriend was beside him, and she expressed with her eyes for me to follow her. She moved over to the opposite side of the parking lot, near the basketball hoop, and sat on the retaining wall. I waited a few seconds before proceeding in that direction. I sat beside her and nursed my beverage of choice.

“What’s up?” I asked.

I looked around, taking in the whole festive atmosphere.

“Be careful what you say and do while you’re here,” she told me. “Word is out that you are dangerous and abusive towards women.”

“What?” I replied incredulously. “Angie, you know me. I was around you for three years. Shoot, I’ve walked you back to your room countless times when Romeo over there passed out after drinking too much. Who would say such things? I’ve always respected girls and have never done anything with them.” Then it occurred to me, Ginny. She swore she’d make me pay.

“Was it Ginny?” I asked. “She spreading crap making me look like a potential rapist or something?”

“Yeah, it was something all right,” she said. “Just be cautious and don’t go into a room alone with any female. I don’t want to bail you out.”

When it was almost dinnertime, I helped pull out and set up the charcoal barbecue. I kept myself occupied and engaged so that no one would suspect I was hanging about in general. I even offered to assist man the grill so the brothers could dine with their girlfriends or dates.

After supper, I helped clean up and stow the grill. I shot hoops with a couple of the new brothers, who I hadn’t met as they joined last year. I was getting into the game and taking my outside shot when I spotted Ginny. She stood there looking at me with a frown on her face. I tried to ignore her. For a couple of shots, I even missed the backboard with a clean air ball.

It was getting late and so a few of the members decided to set up the house’s sound system for an informal dance. I opted to assist with speaker positioning while remaining away from the females. I planned to leave shortly so that I could get home before it became too dark.