Tall girl, beautiful brunette pony tail, overalls, all curves and soft lips and lightup eyes, answers the hall phone: "'Allo?" Beaming, giggling, runs into my room, tells us all, giggling, proud of herself: "I spoke French on the phone!"

My girlfriend follows, pleased to have found her - my - lost key, leans over the chair for a kiss. Friends see her backpack in the lobby, all roads lead to me, the room is filled, beers are handed 'round in violation of dorm policy and state law.

Nine days into the term and all is well.