This is a concept I cam up with tonight. I hope it's a good idea. If I feel more inspired, I'll start shooting out chapters for this thing like there's no tomorrow.

The BIG game

Chapter 1: News

Ok, so, here it goes. This is the story of how I met my husband. It all started the winter I turned twenty two and my old beat up blue Volkswagen broke down. It had to be six or seven at night after a class of mine had adjourned for the night. Classical Literature 2340, the hardest class possibly known to man, or, at least I thought. I was forcing my way through the snow when a very lovely polished vintage 1950's truck pulled up. When the window rolled down, I heard a familiar deep voice, causing me to sigh in relief before I turned around. I slammed the door of my car in frustration.

"Benjamin Martin," I said with happiness, "You should have very well flown in from the sky wearing a cape. You have saved me from a night of walking through the freezing cold."

"Again," he laughed, "You need a better car."

"You're one to talk, Mr. Martin," I laughed, "My car is younger than yours."

"I know how to keep my car up," Ben laughed, "You haven't been to a mechanic for five years."

"Rub it in," I joked.

He opened the passenger door and I hopped in quickly, struggling with my massive load of bags before I could sit still and put my seat belt on. He sat there with that look on his face. Benjamin Martin was a family friend and also a former professor of mine. I had taken a small gardening class he taught at the Community Center to fill my time one semester and a history class he taught at the University. I had gotten frustrated in the green house class when one of my flowers died due to a cold snap. He always teased me whenever I had my moments of frustration and to add insult to injury he would always give me this mischievous look that made me want to punch him in the face.

He finally started driving the car when I was settled in. I must have been a sight to behold with my puffy coat and giant scarf because I could hear him chuckling from time to time. I had to say something.

"So, how is the brood?" by 'brood' I meant his seven children. Unfortunately, his wife had died four years before. It had to have been the worst I had seen him ever before. He didn't leave his house for a year.

"Nathan and Samuel are still getting into trouble as usual," he shook his head, "and Gabriel is still wanting to join the army."

"Oh dear," I laughed, "well, maybe you should let him go."

Ben glared at me and changed the subject, "so, how's life for you?"

"Studying my ass off for finals and graduation couldn't come soon enough," I said, grinning.

"You know," Ben said after a long silence, "There are two new professors coming to the university this spring."

"Really?"

"One is from England and the other is from France," he said, "The one from France is the French Literature Professor and he needs a Teacher's Assistant."

"Oh! If you could get me that job, I'd be so grateful!" I suddenly found my heart racing with excitement.

"Calm down," Ben said, making me realize I was holding onto his sleeve and shaking it in anticipation, "I'll do what I can."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I shrieked with joy, "I need a job next semester!"

"Well, since your degree is in historical literature, I thought it would do you some good," Ben grinned, "Apparently, the university is paying for him to take two of his best TA's to France in the Summer."

I cocked my eyebrow and stared at him in shock, "France," I said, sighing with excitement. I had a huge smile on my face the rest of the drive and when Ben pulled up into the parking lot, he assured me he would do his best to secure me the position.

TTTTTTT

My room mate was short and full figured like me and since it was a very late hour, she didn't expect me to come home. When she heard the door knob being knocked about as I scrambled to try and find my house key in all the clutter in my purse, she had grabbed her cricket bat and was standing on the other side of the door, thinking it was a robber. When I opened the door, I felt a sharp pain on my arm as she began to hit me with it. I scrambled to find the light switch and flicked it up. The light flooded in and she realized it was me.

"OH MY GOD!" she yelled in shock.

"What the Heck, Mary?!?!" I yelled as I grabbed the cricket bat from her.

"Jeesh! it's one in the morning, Lily!"

"Way to call on your inner cricket player," I joked as I rubbed my arm.

"So, why are you so late?" she asked.

"Ugh, I had car trouble."

"Again?" she rolled her eyes.

"Ben gave me a ride home."

"Again."

"Yes."

Mary pulled some ice out of the freezer and handed it to me in a baggy for my shoulder. She sat down beside me on the couch and started laughing.

"What?"

"I'm just going to say it," she laughed, "I think that old fogey likes you."

"Of course he- no, not in that way!" I knew what my friend was thinking.

"Look, I'm just saying," Mary defended herself. I flicked her on the arm and she grinned.

"Ok, so, this is what happened today," I changed the subject, "I was told that there's a French professor coming to the university and he's looking for teacher's assistants or interns, whathaveyou, I don't know exactly what the position will entitle but in the summer, I could be going to France if he chooses me!"

"WOW!"

"Believe me, summer couldn't come soon enough, Mary."