Deja wanted to ask if she was okay, but she already knew the answer. The life of an adjunct professor was as unpredictable as it was unappreciated. Marie normally did her best to weather the storm of her more-than-full load of classes with a smile, but Wednesdays were her longest days this semester, and she looked every bit as tired as Deja knew she was. Besides, Marie shouldn’t have had to hide how overworked she was anyway.

“Any word on your application yet?” Deja asked carefully.

Marie shoved the last bite of her muffin into her mouth. Crumbs cascaded down her shirt. “Shit.”

Deja reached into her purse and grabbed the napkins Jerome had given her. She pushed the stack toward Marie and grabbed the plastic container to pick her own muffin. She set her treat on a napkin in front of her, deciding to save it until she needed a mid-meeting sugar rush.

She and Toni waited patiently for Marie to answer Deja’s question.

Marie fidgeted with her name plate — Marie Lau, Ethnic Studies — for a while before she answered. “Got the phone interview.”

“Good,” Deja cried.

“Good, my ass,” Toni cut in. “She’s been teaching more than a full load for that department for four years. A phone interview for the job she’s already doing is the least they can do.” Toni gently nudged the container of muffins back toward Marie as she spoke.

Marie grabbed another muffin and took a smaller bite.

“It’ll be ‘good,’” Toni continued, “when they start paying her and all the other adjuncts what they’re worth, put them on the tenure track, and give them professional development money.”

Marie put the rest of her muffin on a napkin and plucked another from the stack to wipe her mouth and hands. She finally pulled the strap of her bag over her head and dropped it on the floor. She shifted in her chair, moving the littlest bit away from Toni and Deja.

They knew Marie was often uncomfortable talking about her job, so they took her silent cue and dropped the subject, but Deja reached around Toni to squeeze Marie’s elbow lightly. Marie didn’t make eye contact, but Deja saw a small smile on her lips.

The room was louder now as more faculty arrived and chatted before the meeting started. Deja took the time to pull up the essays she needed to grade, ready to get a head start on her work, but she was interrupted when Toni leaned into her side.

“Look who’s here,” Toni whispered to Deja.

Deja automatically slumped down in her chair and narrowed her eyes, refusing to respond.

“Oh, don’t hide now, girl. Your man has arrived,” Toni cackled.

“He’s not my man. Shut up.”

“And with that attitude, he never will be.” Marie huffed a small breath of laughter that sounded so loud to Deja’s affronted ears.