She was sitting in the back yard one Saturday morning, on the log swing in the furthest corner from the house. He'd lived next door for several years, but he'd watched her discreetly for some time. She was college age. Her parents had done a remarkable job of keeping her innocent in the ways of the world, which surprised but did not displease him. Today he watched her swing idly back and forth, more focused on some unhappiness that troubled her than on the beautiful day around her.
He cleared his throat, and smiled politely when she looked up, startled. He asked what was troubling her. Having known him for years, she felt no discomfort or inappropriateness in sharing such intimate details with him.
"My boyfriend wants me to do things with him," she said "things that I'm not sure I want to do. He says that because I won't do them, boys won't like me. But I've tried to do some of the things the girls at school talk about, and he says that I'm no good at them, that I just don't know what boys like."
His face showed nothing but polite concern, but his mind was laughing at the young pup who kept panting after this girl. It was obvious the boy had no idea what potential existed within her, and was only interested in getting his piece off the top. The time was ripe to take things in hand.
"My, it does sound like you have a problem" he said, with just the right amount of compassion and disinterest in his voice. "But I'm sure everything will work itself out." He turned as if to leave, and smiled to himself when he heard her call out to him.
"Mr. Smith! Please wait."
He affixed a look of mild curiosity on his face and turned back toward her. "Of course Penny... is there something I can help you with?"
She came to the short hedge that divided her parents' property from his. Her stance was timid, and awkward, she obviously was trying to work up her courage to ask him something. He had a good idea what she wanted, but enjoyed her discomfort too much to assist. "Mr. Smith, I never really had any boyfriends in high school, and Billy is the first boy who's seemed to like me. But he's right; I just don't seem to know what boys like. I don't want him to find another girl... could you help me understand what boys like?"
Ah, sweet satisfaction... and she came to him, innocent, naïve, with no clue just what she was asking. His mind raced with the possibilities. "No, Penny, I'm afraid I can't." Her face fell, and he could see the tears began to well in her eyes. "I'm not unwilling to help you, but because I'm a man and haven't been a boy in some time. If you'd like, I will teach you what men like... I'm sure your boyfriend will be amazed at the results."
Her smile was like the sun breaking through the clouds after a hurricane... her tears dried, and she thanked him profusely. "But there will be rules, Penny. My time is very valuable, and I don't care to waste it on those who do not appreciate my efforts. If you choose to accept my conditions, I believe you will be amazed and delighted with the results." Her head bobbed enthusiastically as she rushed to assure him of her desire to learn and willingness to accept his conditions.
He smiled to himself, thinking that suddenly the world had fallen into his lap, in the form of a confused, lovely young woman with no idea of her potential or her self. "What is your class schedule this semester, Penny?" he asked.
