(Peggy is narrating)
The paper consumed itself, in a puff of greasy black smoke. I stood. “Do you believe too?”
“No, but I approve how you didn’t pray for revenge upon those who hurt you. Your wisdom is far beyond your years.” I nodded.
We heard my stomach rumble. “I’m so starving!” I whined.
“You are starving for a lot of things, Margaret, I am sure. Have patience, fledgling. You will soon be old enough to take your rightful place among us, but to fuel your ambitions, you first need fuel.”
He called out for Chinese. I asked for pork fried rice. He added wonton soup and egg rolls to the order. I rested on the couch, holding my plushy, until the doorbell rang with the food delivery. “Doctor DuQuesne, should I destroy my plushy too?”
“What does your intuition say?”
It was a white, stuffed cat with a golden crescent on its forehead. I hugged it and kissed its head. “This was the one good part of that time.”
“Then, not just yet,” he advised.
We dined on takeout as we began a lively conversation into the night. He would have me privately tutored at home during the day by the best he could afford. In math, the best was himself, so he’d tutor me at night. “You will get practical skills too, as part of the package. I do not think it asking much to be doing chores for it.”
I shrugged. “I’ve no problem earning my keep.”
Delighted, he shook my hand. “Well said, my loyal minion!”
***
Marc himself proctored my end of year tests, showing me at mid eighties across the board. “I knew you could do it!”
Hells, yeah! “I could take on the whole world with your help!”
Marc grinned. “That, is the idea! Summer will be eighth grade.”
***
My next two years were an amazing journey of discovery. The Professor, while not my parent, was maybe better. He was rational, explaining my mistakes, not emotional like a parent would be.
My pace in ‘high school’ was a year per semester! Finishing at fourteen, my education was rock solid enough to get SAT college boards high enough to enroll in Spokane Tech.
Math was what I loved most, so that would be my major, and Marc would be my academic adviser. I felt honored to have him.
Martin and I kept in touch. He grew up to be a well mannered and selfless gentleman, as I recall oh so vividly…
If you enjoyed this, buy me a coffee? If you really enjoyed this, buy the book?