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
