called him Teach
called her Kiddo
they met when she was fifteen and
a half
he resigned from education when No Child Left Behind was implemented
Bush 4-letter word
Harvard MBA if he had one hed say My Black Ass but unfortunately he didnt
Harvard ought to
reassess it Masters programme
it ought
to be embarrassedashamed that an alumni was so assbackwardsso easily
manipulated inane inept
she broke from a gaggle of girls
crossing a timed traffic intersection pedestrians had 30-seconds
they were going one way he the
other
Hey! she called to him as she was catchingup
despite reading as he walked his
ears were attuned to what was around himparticularly that behind him electric cars his bane
he
took the book down from his facewas almost at the curb looked over his left shoulder
Hey.
Hey
slowed on the sidewalk she came up on him
Hey.
Anyone ever tellya hays for horses
My Mom.
he didnt see that coming chuckled
Very good She didnt
did she
No. Who says that?
I just did My mother was a stickler for language disabused
us with extreme prejudice if we used slang swore She shoud have gone onto college She was one bright cookie
Wha can I do for you
You’re him.
Im who
He Who Walks Books.
that halted him midstep
her
impetus took her two steps beyond she turned faced him
No kiddin Ive only heard tha . .
.
. From my Mom’s mouth.
The woman who earlier this Fall said her daughter and friends called himme tha
My Mom.
No kiddin
No kidding.
they wandered a bit then reversed
field he walked her home
Id carry your books for
you but you have a knapsack
Who says
knapsack?
I just did
she surprised himlaughed
with himrecalled him saying in kind to Hey kid was on the ball
she didnt cover her mouth hed
have to admit he obsessed over women who just laughed he liked her
We call it a backpack, if bigger,
a rucksack.
he noddedwas familiar with the
terms
Look at you edumacating
me
You’re
funny.
Ranks with conversate
Could I ask you something?
Certainly Youve been asking all along
Something. Personal.
Im an open book
Were you a teacher?
I was
I thought so. she dimmed browned out asif their shared laughter not a moment
earlier hadnt happened
Whas up
I . . I don’t like my teachers.
I’m sure I could excel if I liked . respected . . . them.
Perhapsif I may
You don like the curriculum
they have to teach
Curriculum?
Subjects Methods
They may be
good teachers wellintended teachers but
their hands are tied
Do you think you could teach me?
I could help you if your Mom and
Dad agreed
My Mom.
And she loves youI mean . . not
. love love . . . loves youyaknow?
he smiled yes
hoped his smile might return the
brightness shed exhibited a little
Ask your Mom We coud if she accedes
her mother did
he taught her ethics civics
politics History English Shakespeare learned sciences together demanded a current
event to discuss every day of the week Youre on your own come math Kiddo
he did not inform
her regarding culture religion
those were personal
choices
there was a knock at his security
screendoor
never did hear
the religious proselytisers come up on the porch though he thoroughly appreciated their stealthiness said more than once They ought to be
assassins
Ill be right there he
was everpolite informed them he was an
atheist antha he appreciated their belief as they ought to appreciate his Yacoudnt convince me any more than yacoud convince
me to have sex with a man or align myself with the former president
entering the livingroom looking out through the screen
a young woman
Teach. she
said
Kiddo he
hadnt seen her since he walked her home an agreement her mother struck Kiddo was physically conspicuous and she believed itd be inappropriate
for her daughter to be seen with an older man It’s a small town. they respected
her terms he replied Nothing to it I appreciate your candor
Whaya doin
here
Don’t say it like you’re
incredulous, we live in the same town.
Yes yes he nodded
I wasnt expecting you until our
lesson later this afternoon
Yes. About the lesson. she smiled
he opened the doorwalked out onto
the porchshut the door behind him
About
it
Yes.
Wha
I'm eighteenth today it's my eighteenth birthday.
Today
An Aries
I am. Are you? That’s why you know?
I am Marchtwentyfirst April nineteenth The extant the end of my astrology although I am fascinated by it
I’m into it. I throw tarot.
No
I do.
Another fascinating aspect I found illuminating
Found. You’ve sat for tarot?
Two Only twice
As I said remarkably illuminating
You’ve surprised me.
Yet again.
Again
That you agreed to teach me with
my mother’s consent.
I love teaching
she smiled Huge
it was Brilliant fivehunredforty degrees opposite her brownout
twoanahalf years earlier
Wha
I’m eighteen. I’ve decidedmy decision.
You’ve lectured me on reason,
decision. Philosophy.
Yes
Wha
I want to sleep with you I want
you to make love to me.
approximately1430, day-between-2-Ts, 13 12.
23
1212, Reggaefriday,
29 12. 23
