he knew this about that

                        an what that was was a simple fact of physics that she helped him understand

not that she taught it to him specificallyhe had instinct enough temperament enough to recognise its application  theorise then test its practicality

she was his tutor

he didnt know that she would be

                            however struggling with physics an needing its credit to eventually graduate high school he reluctantly threw himself on the mercy of theretofore unknown upper classmen who the department head selectedconfirming they were apt an competent students who possessed the necessary aptitude an abilities to tutor other students   the head insisted a fee be paid     

the suggested fee wasnt unreasonable(it came out of his pocket)  then it became ridiculously reasonable when saw he was assigned to her    

they were left to their own recognizance to figure out their schedule

since he was an athlete afterschool was out of the question  

they decided theyd meet an hour an a half Tuesdays Thursdays after dinner rather than the recommended hour three days a week   

coy  her parents preferred that she tutor him in their home 

                                                               explaining there was room enough an privacy to study(he capitulated  sought to ease any suspicions they may have) she was their youngest their four other children were either in college or off on their own

Thats a fine idea she enjoined  then to her parents chagrin Ill tutor Joe in the basement

compromise can be a bitch   

it was a neatly finished pinepaneled front room at the foot of the stairs

it was cool  that was due to the houses brick foundation  it would have made a fine root cellar

while there was overhead lighting she preferred lighting the individual lamps that were divvied between two seating areas on thick colourful throwrugs an a long leaf wood table pushed up against the wall opposite the steps

above the table were two windowwells that(seductively) allowed natural light into the room

they sat sidebyside and studied under the light of two greentinted bankers lamps on the table 

their knees often touched

they didnt make anything of it

though secretly he flushed

secretly he felt faintshe smelled wonderful  

she smelled wonderful to the point of distraction

                                      an when he was subdued by the glowing spark from touching her knee an appeared to misunderstand or err during her lesson  she didnt get upset   patiently she redressed the parcel or took a different tack to illustrate the seemingly troublesome concept -- which he gathered the first time

quietly she misunderstood his momentary confusion distraction as a balk    

what he knew when he knew this about that wasnt what she taught him specifically  

what he realised

              was that in a lighted room standing before a glass window the black night acted as a mirrors silver an quietly reflected ones image  an also due to the opacity of the glassan the night behind it  someone could not see very far beyond what was outside the windowpane 

that which was outside was unseen an would have to come very near the glass to be hinted or betray itself

she was very pleased that he was a quick study

he said it was his intention to please her

while he had a decided inklinga strong hope for a warmer relationship as their friendship developed  it did not manifest itself until he intimatedan not by accidentperhaps a confession the curiousnessthe bond between teenage girls an their stuffed animals the two or three favourites who the girls positionlay the animals heads on their pillow as if to keep their place warm an secure   teddy bears  giraffes  monkeys  cats  raccoons  quails she had a quail

he didnt know if voyeurism was attractive  I couldnt help myself

And what did you see

I saw you

                  I left before you began readying for bed

Before I got ready for bed

Yes

Then I may have surprised you a couple of times

Yes

Thats not an easy tree to climbI quit climbing it when I was expected to wear dresses

No  not easy 

            You ought to lose your dress an put on a pair of pants an climb it with me

I should shouldnt I

Yes

You wouldnt let me fall Im unpractised now

No

    I wouldnt let you fall   Rather I wouldnt let you fall too far  he smiled

You wouldnt let me fall too far  she smiled

No

    Just far enough to get your heart beating

Youd let me fall far enough  just to get my heart beating

Yes beating hard an fast an loud enough so I could hear it

I suppose I should lose my dress

Yes  

        To climb with me

To climb with you

To climb with me

he knew a little something about this about that

2251,  Twosday,  14  11. 17

0005,  Thursday,  16  11. 17