Ms. Phoenix sat upon the edge of her desk. Her long curls piled lightly on her head, gray hair marbled at the sides. Louise Phoenix had a way of using only a few combs to work her hair into a style all her own. She indeed had an air of distinction. The dusty blue long sleeved buttoned down blouse was neatly tucked into a long a-line skirt, the skirts multi-colored blend complimented the blouse. The upper two buttons of the blouse were opened, exposing a delicate silver chain with a lapis pendant.
Ms. Phoenix caught my gaze. Bending slightly downward, she lined up her eyes with mine insuring she had my true attention. Her china blue eyes were alive with life and knowledge, knowledge I hungered to experience first hand.
Other students in the class looked at this Social Science Instructor with boredom, but I knew there was something "alive" and powerfully "sensual" about her. It may have been the casual air about her attire, the earthen tones, the tousled strawberry blonde hair with the scattering of gray, announcing her experience.
Her birth certificate might have shown her to be 54, but I felt she was timeless in age.
Other young men my age, (which is 21), have labeled me a romantic, looking for something magical amid a world of flesh and triple-X stimulation. Louise stimulated my mind as I watched her gesture while trying to pay attention to that which she was lecturing on at the moment. The low tones of her voice gave me the impression she was talking strictly to me, as though I was the only person in the room.
Her body was almost well hidden in the cottons that she wore...but as I stole glances at her breasts, torso and legs, I suspected that even with the extra pounds she carried, all was in balance.
The next words she spoke riveted me..."I hope you have been reading the material assigned and taking thorough notes, because we will be having an oral examination tomorrow. Each of you will stand and give, at the very least, a five minute summary on what you have gotten out of this class thus far." The moans ringing through the room were hardly those of enjoyment as the students began closing their books, and gathering up their belongings for their escape at the end of the class period.
If there was ever an opportunity to speak with her it would have to be now...I waited for the room to be emptied, and ventured forth, a bit of a tightness in my throat as I spoke..."Ms. Phoenix...I feel totally unprepared for tomorrow. As you know I am not too adept at public speaking. I lack the confidence needed to captivate an audience, especially of my peers."
Ms. Phoenix looked up and replied..."My dear young man, I could see you looking at me with those analytical eyes of yours. I believe you are ready for this oral examination, and actually you may be overdue for it."
A slight blush of delight came upon me, warming my face, causing me to look down briefly at the floor, and just as quickly upwards and meeting her gaze. "I believe it is your instruction that holds my interest, and makes the material assigned come alive. The fact that you are attractive and pleasing to my eyes only makes the class work more enjoyable."
"My dear young man, are you looking for an "A" without working for it?"
"Ohhh my no, Ms. Phoenix...I only speak the truth. And I feel that you might know so much more than you are able to share with a group in a classroom... a type of life experience." I had now opened the door to an area I hoped would bring a dialogue to a destination I so earnestly sought. "Ms. Phoenix, since this is the last class of the day for us both, I was hoping we might share some time over a cup of coffee. The coffee can be stimulating to the body as we stimulate each other with conversation."
Almost a girlish laugh came from her before she spoke..."Well, I will be pleased to join you...in...that cup of coffee."
I bounded ahead of her as she moved to the door, opening it wide, as she stepped lightly through.
A small cafe across from the University, offered a quiet setting for private conversations. The booths were in the high old style. They were likely actual antiques from years past. As we slid into the booth, and ordered the hard core espresso, we became settled, and it seemed a more relaxing, informal way of conversing.
Politely, I asked if I might call her Louise, and she replied, "Anyone who requests my company after class, can be given the ability to call me by my birth name...Feel free to do so, as long you tell me what you prefer to be called." I said that my birth name is Kyle.
For the next hour we talked of family, friends, and I shared my future plans. The content of the conversation was important and yet, the feeling of relaxation and simply talking to each other was what I remember most fondly.
Lamp light outside let us know it was getting late. Because I had kept Louise longer than she normally would stay after her final class of the day, I offered to walk her home. The early fall air was a bit brisk, so we walked a bit faster than I had hoped. I wanted as much time with this woman as possible, and her house was only three blocks from the University. Upon reaching the steps to the house, I paused, while Louise got out her key and opened the front door. My look of sadness at the inevitable parting must have stirred Louise, for she then asked me if I would care to come inside for a few minutes. My hands, which had been resting in my slacks pockets were now available to hold the front door open for Louise, as we entered her house.
As Louise turned on some lamps, I noticed the light scent of lavender in the air. Such a scent was so appropriate for this woman. As she went into the kitchen to put on a tea kettle, she said I could sit down and relax a bit. I sunk into the overstuffed couch, graced with the name of "love seat."...sinking deeply into its cushions. As I briefly rested my eyes, I soon heard the tea kettle's shrill sound of completion, within a few minutes, Louise was back in the room with two cups of herbal tea which she sat on the coffee table in front of us, and she then sat down to my right.