‘Only Professor Coleman is allowed in, Miss,’ said the porter, his bulk blocking my entry to the panelled room.
Rex put his hand against my cheek. ‘I’ll be fine,’ he said. ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ He smiled, a brave smile, but I was dismayed to feel tears welling. I cried so easily.
I let the porter lead me to a wooden bench along the corridor where I sat and imagined Rex standing in front of his peers, unapologetic, intransigent. After only ten minutes the door opened, and as Rex stood there looking at me, grim faced, my waters broke.
*
For those who don’t know how Friday Fictioneers works, this picture (this time supplied by Jennifer Pendergast) is our inspiration for our weekly online writing group hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Each story is only about 100 words long, so why not read a few others: click here to read some more or to join in.
And please comment below with any suggestions on mine, or just to show you’ve visited.
Claire Fuller 
This was so redolent of all that goes with acadaemia – porters, panelled rooms, committees of one peers, that the beautifully irreverent breaking of the waters came like a breath of fresh air! Well done Claire, I know I say that every week but… 🙂
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Thanks Sandra. Glad you enjoyed it. Comments after yours suggested that my hints at what happened were a little too subtle. Rex is a professor, the narrator his pregnant student, and he is facing the tribunal because of their relationship. Difficult to get across in 100 words!
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Totally got it, Claire! I loved the not-too-subtle subtlety. As I’m a romance writer, I’d like to see Rex come out smiling, but still… I loved it!
Greetings from Greece!
Maria (MM Jaye)
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Now I’m curious to know what Mr. Coleman did to get into this quagmire
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Ah, perhaps I was being a bit too cryptic. The girl’s waters breaking was meant to be a big clue for what Professor Coleman had done to a student…
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Rex is such a stud. One look and a woman’s water breaks. He’s an animal. Go Rex!
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Hahahahaha. You’re just jealous.
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🙂
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A well told story
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Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Claire
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Claire, nicely done. I hadn’t realized what was happening until the end. Delightful surprise and great end beat.
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Thanks. Glad you worked it out in the end!
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Whoa! He really DID a “service” to the student. t was a little hard to read through, but I got it. Terminology.
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Yes, I think my full meaning was a little obscure. But glad you got there in the end.
Claire
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A baby on the way and unemployed, maybe?
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Absolutely. Not good news.
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I wondered at first whether the “waters broke” line was a fancy way of saying she started crying, but then I decided that would be an unsatisfactorily cryptic ending and the straight reading was much better rounded. It took me a second, but I don’t think you should change it. And “I cried so easily” is all of: a) a great clue, b) a fantastic pre-echo of the waters breaking and c) a great character insight.
Great stuff, Claire!
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Thanks Jennifer. And thanks for the inspiring picture.
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Oh dear….well told, though I paused to get it..
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Thanks for reading. I think the comments have all made me think my meaning should have been a little clearer.
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Nice one.. (though I read it again to get it…I am a bit slow…)
This prompt inspired so many to write about college or something related to academia….
Wonder why I saw it in such a tragic way???
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No, not slow – I think my writing was a bit too cryptic. Glad you got there in the end though.
Claire
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Tsk tsk, naughty Professor Coleman! An interesting story – I hope he does the right thing by her!
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He had been bad. He’s that kind of man.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Dear Claire,
What a decidedly atmospheric story. I believe you, like the professor, nailed it.
Aloha,
Doug
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Ha! Thanks Doug.
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Claire, Good story as usual. I couldn’t quite get the bit about the waters either at first because she mentioned crying. When I read the comments I understood what was happening. She has stuck by him so I hope he accepts his responsibility. Well written as always. 🙂 —Susan
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Thanks Susan. Perhaps it was a little too cryptic – and too many kinds of waters!
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Knocked up in college! The crying so easily was the first hint, but really I had no idea what poor Rex would be facing. I hope he is not a professor and she his student! But, these things do happen. He would be ruined then. Oh well, pretty grim!
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Unfortunately he is just that and she is his student. He’s certainly out of a job now.
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Exceelent implication of the story beyond the word count!
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Thanks, glad you liked it.
Claire
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Ah.. those professors.. they pick all the cherries.. what a great atmosphere, though it’s a university world I have only seen on film… This could be the first part of an inspector Morse story…
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Hah! Could certainly be set in Oxford. Thanks Bjorn.
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Very interesting story, Claire. I’m left wondering what the Professor did, or didn’t do, that he must answer to his peers. I’m thinking that the baby is the issue… she being a student? Really well written and just the right details to leave us wanting more. Editing note: in the first sentence, I don’t think you want Porter capitalized.
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Yes, she’s a student and it’s his baby, but I don’t think I was clear enough. Thanks for your comments and spotting porter. I’ll get that changed.
Claire
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i thought it was very clear… but sometimes, I’m way off on FF, so I figured I’d check. 😉
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Troubles come not single spies.
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? You’ve lost me!
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Great job Claire, an atmospheric, well written and enjoyable read.
Dee
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Thanks Dee. Glad you liked it.
Claire
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Have to agree with the previous comments. After my initial read, the story was missing something, a crutial link. Reading a second time after the comments, it made a lot more sense. Well written nonetheless
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I think you’re right. I made the connection in my head but not on paper.
Thanks for your comments.
Claire
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Looks like with a new baby the Professor has a lot more to learn. A this was a true 100 word soap opera 🙂
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Dear Claire, Excellent story and believe it or not I understood what happened when her “waters” broke. But, it appears that he had a bad “meeting” with his peers or the Chancellor because his face looked grim – or he’s just a rotten worm that is the worst kind of man. Good job Claire! Nan 🙂
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