I decided the following weekend as I was skiing that I would have to tell Samantha on Monday; well, Wednesday, as that was when I called. Emma and I had been seeing a lot of each other. Mostly class and lunch and the occasional beer after a long day of classes; but now, she had mentioned having a "movie night: at either my place or hers. While innocent in its very nature, I still felt compelled to talk to Sam before moving any further.

When I phoned Samantha on Wednesday, she was in good spirits. She was not surprised that I had made a few friends until I told her about Emma. I could hear the hesitation in her voice when she stated that whether or not I chose to see her in more than just an academic setting was up to me. I could tell she didn't mean it. "Who was I...", I thought; with many endings to that sentence? Who was I to see others, when it was Samantha who had helped me plan this sabbatical? I struggled.

I put Emma off for another week citing planning issues around my next stop in Vermont. "Who knows where I will be", I stated? This was entirely true, as I had picked out several destinations for my journey. Upset, she stormed off after organic chemistry toward the library. She had wanted to spend some additional time to get to know me; and reluctantly, I her; but I was still unsure how I felt about it.

October was coming to a close. It was now the 10th, and there was not a break until Thanksgiving. Samantha and I talked about Emma a time or two more, but I continued to sidestep her citing the fact that I was soon leaving Burlington; as it was just one part of my sabbatical. Emma was relentless, but she would not be victorious. In the end, it was Samantha that I desired, and I realized that these passes may become common on this trip.

Samantha finally stated on Saturday, after I explained that I had not wanted to pursue Emma, that she thought we should see each other. She was willing to come to Vermont for the weekend, and soon after she hoped that I would come to her home for Thanksgiving. It would once again have to be approved, but having gone there for Easter; I was most likely a "shoe-in" for Thanksgiving.

I agreed that she should come to Burlington.