Jane Actually

proceedings, at least cognizant of the topic.
    “You have something to add, Mr Abrams?” asked the department head, who had been unnerved by the smile upon Stephen’s face.
    The smile melted from the unexpected question. He had no idea what the topic had been.
    “No, it sounds like a good idea,” he ventured to say, only then noticing the amused glances in the room.
    “We are all gratified you approve of reducing your expense reimbursements. No doubt you are aware of the serious nature of the budget shortfalls affecting our department. I am sure your fellow graduate students will share their opinions with you. And with that, let’s call it a day.”
    Naturally Stephen had to face a good deal of friendly abuse from the others because of his inattention, including a dope slap 1 that caught him off guard and that hurt slightly more than the giver had intended. He waited in the room until his advisor stood next to him.
    “Is there something you wish to tell me, Stephen?” Dr Davis said, with a wry smile.
    They left the room together and walked down the hallway to her office.
    “You were preoccupied this morning and I see that hasn’t changed. And from that stupid smile you’re wearing … I assume you’ve met someone.” They arrived at her office and she opened the door and entered. Stephen followed, feeling foolish for allowing his emotions to so openly show. But he could hardly deny his feelings.
    “Uh, yeah. Sorry for being so …”
    “Smitten?” she suggested with a laugh. “God, you don’t get to say that word often enough. So out with it, who is she? Not someone I know, I hope. I would hate to see you making googly-eyes at someone I know.”
    He grinned sheepishly. “You know her; you definitely know her.”
    For a second, he couldn’t think how he could relay to her the enormity of his revelation or even if he should, and then he remembered the task his advisor had given him. He reached into his bag and retrieved the signed copy and handed it to her.
    “Oh, thank you, I was afraid you’d forgot …” but she stopped because he didn’t quite relinquish his hold on the book as he handed it to her.
    She looked at him quizzically, and then he nodded at the book and released it. The exchange left her puzzled. She looked at him and he again looked at the book and back to her. She opened her mouth, shut it, and then asked, “What are you trying to say, Stephen? I had previously thought you a gifted young man, but you are seriously testing my patience.”
    But Stephen couldn’t quite say the words, “I think I might be dating Jane Austen’s avatar.” It sounded so preposterous in his head, but finally, haltingly said something to that effect.
    “I sent you out to get a book signed. I didn’t mean for you to fall in love. Well, well, Jane Austen’s avatar. Tell me about her.”
    The invitation prompted Stephen to tell her the entire story of waiting in line, getting the book signed, later meeting her at the coffee shop and spending the day with her. He also snuck in an apology for not getting around to some of the other tasks she’d set him.
    It would be unfair to say that Dr Davis wasn’t pleased for Stephen, for she truly did like him and appreciate him. But her immediate reaction was that his news could prove immensely useful to her. And as he continued in his praise of the woman, she thought of a way that she might control the situation to her advantage.
    “I’m very happy for you, Stephen, but you do realize some of the ethical considerations that arise from this?”
    Stephen, who had just expressed his hope of meeting the avatar in Colorado, looked puzzled. “What? What ethical consideration?” But he realized the implications of her question as he responded. “Oh, I hadn’t thought about that.”
    “Your objectivity will be called into question if you’re romantically involved with the avatar of the subject you’re … dating.”
    His serious expression, however, warned her not to overplay her hand. His seriousness and integrity were the reasons she valued him and she didn’t want him doing anything noble.
    “I wouldn’t say we’re … so you’re saying I should …”
    “Wait, wait, I didn’t say anything, just that you should be cautious. If I may be allowed a little self-aggrandizement, that is precisely why you have me as an advisor. I can tell you if you’re allowing your feeling for … what is her name again?”
    “Mary, Mary Crawford,” he said, and then