"Edgar Allan Poe was a writer in the 19th century who exemplified the American..." The opening sentence of what seemed like the millionth essay on Poe droned through my head as I tried to convince myself that it was actually worth it to pay attention to the remainder of the essay. "Next time, kill me if I use Poe as an example for anything ever again," I mutter to myself. Rubbing my eyes, I glanced at the clock for a moment, sighed, and returned to grading. My eyes had actually started to drift closed when I was "awakened" by the sound of the heavy metal classroom door clicking shut.
"Mr. Stone?" I squinted toward the front of the room, and when my eyes focused, I saw a woman that I vaguely recognized from parent-teacher conferences several months ago. Whose mother...damn last night's faculty party! Half of the campus has a hangover today and I can't figure out who the parent is who just walked through my door...
"Yes," I responded, "can I help you?" I leaned back in my chair, finally taking it all in. Her hair drifted down to her shoulders in gentle waves and curling up coyly at the ends. She wore a collared, v-neck t-shirt that came down and revealed just enough to tease at a fit, middle-aged belly. Her belly button seemed to wink at me as my eyes fell upon the clingy skirt that flowed down to her calves. I cleared my throat, suddenly aware that I had just looked her up and down - not professional at all.
"No, not really - well..." Her voice trailed off as she smiled slightly. "I just wanted to thank you." Her smile broadened at the sight of my obviously confused face, and she laughed. "I'm Brittany Oakwood's mother. She has just had such wonderful things to say about you this year."
Clarity was a welcome feeling, and this was now a pleasant distraction from the endless Poe essays. Brittany had been disillusioned with English class and with school in general - she was endlessly fighting with her teachers and her trust in authority figures was a distant memory from elementary school. Slowly, I had gained her respect and trust by being patient with her and showing her that I wouldn't let her fail, no matter how hard she tried to do so. During the course of the year, she blossomed before my eyes, and grew more and more confident throughout the year. She had been working with me during lunch for the last three weeks, working out the details of an essay she was putting together for admission to a private New England college - writing, rewriting, and rewriting again. "Well, she's a smart and ambitious girl - I'm just glad I was able to help her." Usually, this is how these kinds of meetings end...boy, was I in for a shock!
She smiled again, and came around my desk and sat on its edge, to my right, leaning against it. Ice-blue eyes flashed at me. "She was admitted to the college she wanted - and she credits your essay for her full-ride scholarship." Her leg moved over slightly, brushing against my own. I felt a sudden rush of blood and I licked my lips, aware that I was beginning to swell under my belt.
"The credit is all Brittany's, Ms. Oakwood. She's a talented writer." I adjusted my hips slightly to allow my rapidly growing erection to point toward my belly instead of uncomfortably downward. I must have moved quickly, because she caught the movement and her eyes flickered upon what must have been an obvious bulge by now.
She smiled again, and tilted her head to the left somewhat, allowing her hair to slightly cover one eye. Her hair looked soft to the touch...I came back as her leg pressed more firmly against mine. "Even so, she wouldn't be close to where she is now without all of the help you've given her this year. I guess I just wanted to come in and thank you." Placing her hands upon the desk, she lifted herself slightly so that she was now fully sitting upon it, her toned legs dangling slightly off of the floor. Her eyes drifted over me, and she bit her lower lip.
My heart was beating. What was going on? Was this actually happening, or was I lying in bed at home, asleep with a hard-on? I cleared my throat. "Is there something else I can help you with, Ms. Oakwood?"