It was the start of another academic year. I had been teaching the upper division courses but was asked to teach a College Algebra Class for this term. I was looking forward to doing so as I had heard how ill prepared the students were. Most of the incoming students must take remedial course work due to their low understanding of mathematics at the major university where I teach and I wanted to see just how ill prepared they were.
I waited in the classroom for my students to start arriving to see how they looked, acted, dressed, and talked. Most of then were dressed in jeans and tee shirts and talked about finally being at a university and meeting new people.
I noticed a striking blonde wearing a dressy blouse and skirt that accentuated her womanly curves. She appeared to be rather nervous and I wasn't sure if she was a student or a parent until she took a seat.
When class began and I took roll call, she answered in a pleasant voice, while the other students raised their hands or mumbled. I passed out the syllabus and went over it explaining how I wanted things done in my classroom. While doing so, there was the usual moaning and groaning that new students do so well.
After class, I noticed the blonde had stayed behind. I walked toward her saying, "May I help you Ms. Stone?"
"I hope so Mr. Brook, I lost my husband last year and I have come back to school because I need an education to support my child and myself. I have concerns about this math class. It's been a number of years since I was in school and algebra was not my best subject."
I told her that there was help available in the open math labs that the university offered and private tutoring available for all students on campus. Since this was my last class of the day, I offered to help her after class on the days I was free.
Ms Stone was the hardest working student in class. She met with me after class on a number of occasions and the one on one instruction enabled her to pass.
I have to admit it was no hardship on my part. She was easy to look at and had a most pleasant personality as well as a fabulous smile. She also had a great looking ass and I watched it sway everyday as she walked out the door.
I had considered asking her out to dinner, but thought she had enough on her plate going to school and raising a child alone. It was a let down for me when the semester was over and our sessions ended.
It was the start of the fall semester and I was in the cafeteria having coffee before the first class began. Some of my former students came to my table, sat down and started talking with me, telling me how much they had leaned in my class, what classes they were taking this semester and trying to decide what their major and minor were going to be. This kind of thing happened at the beginning of every semester and I was used to it, so I just sat and listened. Some of the students were quite entertaining.
I glanced across the room and my eye caught a glimpse of Ms. Stone sitting alone at a table and poring over a book. She looked beautiful and I couldn't take my eyes off her. Maybe her sixth sense kicked in, because she looked up and saw me staring at her. She smiled in such a way that told me she knew what I might be thinking. I waved back feeling somewhat embarrassed, but not embarrassed enough to keep me away.
I stood up and said to the students, "Excuse me please, I see someone I need to talk to."
She watched me walk toward her and smiled again.
"Hello Mr. Brook."
"Hello Ms. Stone. I see you're studying, but do you mind if I sit with you for a few minutes? I promise I won't take much of your time."
"Not at all, please have a seat. I was checking out this new math book to see if I was getting in over my head."
"Are you getting in over your head?"
Laughing softly she said, "I might be. You know me!"
I knew about her difficulty with math but I didn't know her and I wanted to.
"Ms Stone, even though I'm not teaching your class, it would be my pleasure to make myself available to you should you be in need of tutoring."
She looked at me and smiled. I thought I could see relief in her eyes.
"Thank you, Mr. Brook. Don't be surprised if I take you up on that offer."
"Do you mind if I ask a personal question, Ms. Stone?"
"Not at all and please call me Sally. Ms. Stone is so formal and it's isn't as if we're strangers."
"Sally it is, if you call me Sam."
"Deal," she said, offering her hand to seal the deal.
I shook her outstretched hand and held on longer then necessary. She slowly withdrew her soft hand from mine.
"What is your question, Sam?"
"How are you and your child doing since your husband's death? Do you have a son or a daughter?"
"I have a thirteen year old son, Sam. His name is Ted and he has taken his father's death very hard. It's been over a year now and he is trying to cope, but it's been difficult."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Sally. Death of a parent is difficult for anyone much less a child."
"Thank you, Sam."
"How are you doing? You're coping with your own grief, the loss of your husband and also raising a son alone. It has to be difficult for you, plus going to school out of necessity."
"It is difficult, but I'm a strong woman and I have to be strong for my son. I miss my husband. I miss the tender moments. Going to bed together and waking up together, intimacy. Loving someone and knowing they love you back are what marriage is all about and now that is gone. But I'm making a new life for my son and myself. We will get through this together."
"I admire you, Sally. If you ever need to talk or just need a friend, I'm here for you." I reached into my shirt pocket and pulled out a piece of paper and pen, jotted down my phone number and handed it to her.
"Please call anytime. I have to go to my first class now. If you need help with anything, you know where my room is. It was so nice talking with you." Having said that I rose from the table and started to walk away.
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
I couldn't seem to get Sally off my mind. I found myself watching for her in the cafeteria, the hallways, and the parking lot. When I did see her she was looking at a book or writing, not seeing me at all. It had been a week since we had talked.
One late afternoon after class had been dismissed; I was doing some computer work with my back to the closed door when I head a knock.
"Come in."
"Hello Sam, am I disturbing you?"
It was Sally's voice. I immediately stopped my work, stood up and walked toward her. She had to know by the big grin on my face that I was happy to see her.
"You're not disturbing me at all and if you were it wouldn't matter, because I would stop whatever I was doing to talk with you."
