She peeked inside the box,then slapped the top back down and glared at me. For a second I wondered if I'd broken some rule of business or cultural propriety. "Homemade?" she demanded.
"My grandmother."
She peeked again,and groaned softly. "I don't know whether I love you or hate you right at this moment." She closed the box firmly. "Of course I'll supervise your article."
"The cannoli weren't meant to be a bribe.I just...thought you might like them."
"I'm sure I will," she sid crisply, "a great deal.Just as much as I will not like the extra twelve hours on the treadmill." Then her face softened. "Thank you.What a treat. What I started to say about mentoring is that I don't normally do it. Apparently I scare students. But I would be happy to help you however I can."
It was my turn to thank her. I added, "You don't scare me."
"Really?" She stared at me over the sharp frame of her glasses.
"Well,maybe a little," I admitted. "Sometimes."
"Excellent. Now skedaddle.

Author: Melissa Jensen