Oblivious to the dazzling autumnal colors around him, Hank plodded through the outskirt woods following the hard-packed trail to the campus, worrying a mental thread. He was jazzed to play this afternoon against the Northern Heights Technical School Panthers. This would be his first time starting for Central Junior College and he was determined to make a good showing as point guard. But the weeks of drills had scrambled his brain. So much to keep front and center. He'd been trying to let it all go and allow his instincts to take over - that's what Coach Dawson kept dogging the team to do - but he had been wound up with nerves for days. Just as he closed his eyes to practice clearing the clutter, the sound of staccato heels approached from the left. It registered, but not before he slammed into someone rounding the steep limestone outcropping.
"Hey, watch out Hank," a familiar feminine voice barked.
He fought to keep his balance and keep the body he was suddenly entangled with from falling to the ground. "Sorry, Miss Harper," Hank said as he made sure she was steady on her tall shoes. From those, he couldn't help noticing the graceful curve of her stockinged calves rising into a pleasingly draped black skirt. As his eyes rose to meet hers, he took in the remainder of her outfit: a plunging, short-sleeved, white silk blouse, set off by shoulder-length chestnut hair. Not exactly hiking attire. He struggled to keep his eyes on hers. "I was completely lost in thought."
"That's okay, Hon. I didn't expect to run into anyone on this trail either. Thought I'd take a short cut home from the school. It's beautiful here." She looked him over. "You playing today?"
He looked down at his shiny basketball uniform and the splayed toes of his high-tops. Next to her, he felt oddly juvenile. Awkwardly, he pushed aside his long blond bangs. "Yeah. Big game today. I'm starting."
"Congratulations, Hank. That's wonderful."
Her wide smile warmed him, as always. He hadn't paid attention to Miss Harper's looks during his twice-weekly visits to her office for help with his math class. She was what, in her thirties? Just one of the "adults." Here in the secluded woods, however, finely dressed Miss Harper stood out like a glowing beacon, and Hank found himself quite aware of her sinuous form.
A cloud cooled her features. "I missed you this past week."
Hank dropped his gaze. He hated to disappoint. "My bad. The game." He shrugged sheepishly. "You know."
"Yes, I do know. The big game." A long sigh left her lips. "What about your big test this Friday? Isn't that more important?"
"Sure, but there's time. After today. Nothing but studying for the test. I promise."
She folded her arms and glared at him. "Damn it, Hank. Stop bullshitting me."
He stepped back, stunned. "Hey, what did I...?"
"That's exactly what you said before your last test. And you scored a D. 'Distracted by our big win,' you said. And here we are again."
"But..."
"Save your excuses." She crossed her arms. "Jesus, you're just like the other 'boys' on the teams. So full of yourselves and only focused on the moment. No thought of your future."
Hank had never heard Miss Harper swear, much less raise her voice. Man, she was pissed. And it stung. He didn't know what to say, but he tried to smooth things over. "Listen, I goofed up. I know. And I'm sorry. Tonight, I'll work twice as long on my..."
"On what, Hank? Do you even remember where we left off?"
"Of course I do. It was polynomials...no wait...that's done. It's the...shoot, what are they called again? The...the..."
"Enough!" Miss Harper looked around and eyed a tree stump behind the slouching young man. She stepped around him and sat. As she did so, she grabbed Hank's shorts by the wide hems and yanked them down.
"Hey! What the...?" He reached down to pull them up and lost his balance. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him over her lap. Other than the narrow diagonal strips of his supporter, his pale white cheeks were fully exposed for her intended handiwork.
Hank felt dizzy. What was happening? Suddenly he had a face full of weeds and a ferocious fire was spreading across his backside as his tutor spanked him like a bratty child. He tried to squirm free, but Miss Harper was surprisingly strong. Every time he reached back to protect himself, she swatted his hand away. More than the growing pain, he was overcome by the humiliation. What if someone came by and saw?
"You listen to me, young man," she said as she rained down the spanks. "If you want me to help you pass your tests, you damn well better shape up."
"I will, I will," he groaned. "I promise." He could not get a firm purchase on anything. His feet kept sliding on the slippery leaves and now she had one arm pinned against his back and the other trapped between his side and her stomach.
"I've had enough of words. I...want...action!"
"Yeowch! All right, all right. Tell me what you want and I'll do it."
"Right. More words." She spanked him even harder and a new embarrassment kicked in. He felt tears rolling down his cheeks. "Please stop, Miss Harper. I'm sorry. I'll do everything you ask."
She stopped. To her amusement, Hank was still kicking. "Everything?" She heard a sniffle and muffled cough, and was pleased.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Miss Harper helped Hank to his knees. "Okay, come here, Hon." She pulled him in and wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. He wasn't crying outright, but she felt the wetness of his cheeks against her bosom. Progress.
Hank's kept his face pressed against Miss Harper, not wanting her to see his tear-stained cheeks. Her hand slid up and down his back and he found that comforting, warm. His mind cart-wheeled with too many thoughts and feelings to track. He let them all go and just let her soft words and touches console him.
