“Look, I don’t know what to do with her.”
“We can’t put her in another class. Tag. You’re it.” She said.
“TAG is exactly the problem.” He sighed. “She’s too TAG.”
“Has she tried to escape?”
“Twice this morning.” He said with suspicious eyes.
“There is…something.” She replied without meeting those eyes.
“I’ll take it.” He said this far too quickly.
“You’ll have to be careful. If Dickens sees you’re doing this…”
“I’ll let Dickens tutor her privately.”
“You know, that might just work.”
“Quit stalling. Give.”
“Music. Let her have her earbuds. Best of all if you let her have her earbuds and let her draw. Or read.”
He raised an eyebrow, “Will you give me a heads up if Dickens is en route, when appropriate?”
She leaned in, “Still coming over Saturday to…help grade papers?”
“When have I missed a day in the last two years?”
“I do love a diligent student. Your…language skills are impressive.”
“Flatterer. What kind of music?”
“Oh, best to let her decide that.”
“Thank god she moves on to the fourth grade soon.”
“We both know she belongs someplace better.”
“We both know they all do.”
“Fair.”
“Love you.”
“I know. See you Saturday.” She left with a touch more hip sway than was strictly necessary.
He walked back into the classroom. Most of the children were still working on their math. A few were whispering to each other and giggling, one was contemplating a crayon, burnt umber.
She was sitting there, quietly, watching the door, a beaming smile on her face. As soon as he made eye contact with her, she held one hand out to him, palm up. She rapidly curled just her fingertips towards that palm, three times.
He laughed in spite of himself. Walked to his desk, retrieved a pair of earbuds that were nothing special, if one didn’t notice how well worn they were.
He walked to her desk and placed the earbuds in her outstretched hand.
“What am I going to do with you, Mathilda?” He asked.
She lowered her chin so her eyes were looking up at him in angelic innocence.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that question?”
Corcovado
Quiet nights of quiet stars
Quiet chords from my guitar
Floating on the silence that surrounds us
Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams
Quiet walks by quiet streams
And a window that looks out on Corcovado
Oh, how lovely
This is where I wanna be
Here with you so close to me
‘Til the final flicker of life’s ember
I, who was lost and lonely
Believing life was only
A bitter, tragic joke have found with you
The meaning of existence, oh, my love
Quiet nights and quiet stars
Quiet chords from my guitar
Floating on the silence that surrounds us
Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams
Quiet walks by quiet streams
Climbing hills where lovers go to watch the world below together
We will live eternally in this mood of reverie
Away from all the earthly cares around us
I, who was lost and lonely
Believing life was only
A bitter, tragic joke have found with you
The meaning of existence, oh, my love
