Of dating men and boys

My classes ended at noon yesterday and from then until 4:30, I stayed holed up in the caf with some of my blockmates, studying for the Math diagnostic test.

After swimming neck-deep in college algebra two hours later, I decided to take a break and go over to Female Blockmate A and Female Blockmate B were seated. We ended up talking for an hour about our boyfriends and such, and I kind of can’t get over how the entire conversation took a slightly disturbing turn.

“Hey Female Blockmate A, tell me about that 27-year old guy,” Female Blockmate B said.

I was kind of daydreaming about something at this point (it was probably about Jason, since the conversation made me miss him), and that statement made me come down from the heavens to reality. “What 27-year old guy?” Iasked.

Female Blockmate A giggled. “Oh, I mentioned to her how there was this 27-year old guy who courted me before.”

I made a face. “Really? Ugh.”

“So what happened?” Female Blockmate B asked.

“Well, nothing happened because I didn’t really like him. He’s not my type. But my mom was all for us getting together,” Female Blockmate A replied.

“She was? Wow. Even though he’s 27 years old?” I said with raised eyebrows.

“My mom liked him for me because he’s really nice to her. He helped around the house and stuff,” Female Blockmate A said.

I shrugged. “Wow. Good thing you didn’t go out with him, then. I would never date somone that old.”

“Why not?” Female Blockmate A said, casually. “I once went on a fling with a 40 year old man before.”

Blockmate B and I exchanged looks of surprise.

“No way!”

“What?“

Female Blockmate A giggled. “Mm hmm.”

“Who was he?” I demanded, my curiosity stimulated to the point of no return.

“He was a professor of mine back in high school, but he wasn’t my teacher anymore when we started dating,” she replied.

I was speechless.

“How long were you two together?” Female Blockmate B asked.

“Seven months. He broke it off because he said it wasn’t right. But he was really romantic though! And he drove a nice car.” Female Blockmate A added that last sentence thoughtfully.

“Okay.”

“Your mom know about this?” I asked, still rather incredulous. My parents would have two heart attacks apiece if my taste should ever change from cute freshman boys to rugged-looking college professor men.

“Of course she did,” Female Blockmate A said.

“She didn’t mind?!”

“Why would she? He’s rich anyway.”

Disturbing indeed. And since Female Blockmate A is sixteen right now, she must have been what. Fourteen? Fifteen?

The fact that her mom approved of it is just…scary. And isn’t there a law against student-teacher relationships or something out there? o_O

Oh well. Just wanted to share.

As for the Math diagnostic test….well. I don’t know if I did well or not but whatever the outcome, I will try to worm my way out of summer classes no matter what.