Free In Loco Parentis by Nigel Bird

bounces in and lights up my life like the summer sun.
    â€˜Let’s go into the garden,’ she says, dropping her jacket and bag to the ground.
    We open up the back door and go to sit on the lawn.
    As usual she’s draped in silver and I’m dazzled.
    Her bare arms are lightly tanned.
    I trace my finger from her wrist to the top of her shoulder where I reach the sleeve of her white, knitted top. I take a moment to admire the way her clothes compliment her pale lipstick and quickly shift my hand underneath the wool to find her naked breasts.
    â€œHorny?” she asks. It’s not a bad opening line.
    â€œA little,” I confess.
    She looks around at the windows that surround us then smiles. “Want to screw?”
    It’s the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer.

the girl and the pile of clothes
    Something was different about the sex. It wasn’t the hungry, animal bonk I had in mind. Instead it was slow, gentle and affectionate. I wonder if we’ve just made love and ask her.
    Her answer is a purr into the pillow and a little choked laugh.
    â€œDo you know,” I tell her, “that I think I’m falling in love.”
    It’s a crazy thing to say. It wasn’t something I’d been thinking. She’s married and I’ve only really known her for a month. But my cards are on the table now and they don’t seem very high.
    I wait for her to respond. To let me know how she feels. “I’d kill for a cup of tea,” she says.
    I try not to look hurt. Wander into the kitchen not caring who might see me naked through the window and put the kettle on. It gives me time to think. When I’ve finished I bang my head on the kitchen counter and set to making the drinks.
    She’s smoking. The light that’s worked its way in lines through the blinds catches the clouds as they fill the room. It’s a beautiful sight, the smoke and my lover and my bed.
    â€œI was thinking about the Jolly Postman.” What the? “You should do it with your class. Vince loves it.”
    â€œAhlberg knows his onions.” He does. I mean, he’s written some of the best books for kids I’ve ever come across.
    â€œIt’s a shame about his wife.”
    Before I know it I’m wrapped up in her words, the life of the author, her tales of the stories she knows. It’s hypnotising.
    Something about the way she talks tells me she’s revelling in her captive audience of one. Scared to disrupt the flow, I let her go on until the urge to kiss her becomes unbearable.
    Soon as we kiss, the urge to get inside her builds until getting inside her is the only possible solution.
    She lies back and helps me in. I feel my body fill with the chemicals of pleasure.
    2 o’clock and she has to go. Over to playgroup for Vince, then to school for Sheena.
    Watching her dress is bitter sweet - seductive to watch yet signalling the end.
    She’s dressed and has her hair brushed within minutes.
    I see her to the door.
    As she opens the outside door she turns around.
    â€œI think I love you too.”
    It’s the best sick day of my life.

refugee
    When I get home from therapy, last thing I need is Wolf sitting at my door.
    â€œHey man,” I say to him, then realise he’s sitting on two bags that are stuffed to the point of bursting.
    He doesn’t get up, just puts out a fist for me to touch.
    â€œBad fucking news, man,” he says looking at the floor. He sobs into his hands. I’ve never seen him cry before. Don’t know what to do. I just stand there and wait for him to stop, hoping none of the neighbours appear. “Real bad news.”
    I wonder if someone’s dead until I remember he has bags.
    â€œCome on Wolf, let’s go and get the kettle on.”
    Pulling him up by the hand he offers, I pick up one of half his luggage and fish around in my pocket for my key.

black
    â€œIt’s all black,” Wolf says.