Daniel With the Cummy Pants by Tom DeBeauchamp
Daniel With the Cummy Pants
You with the cummy pants, she said. Come here. I have a shiny nickel for you in my hand if you care to take it. What is your name? Good boy.
Daniel.
Daniel, I care to teach you about the world and the ways of women. Do you care to know about the ways of the world and of women? Shiny nickel, there you are.
Yes ma'am.
Do you think I can tell you the ways of the world and of women?
Yes ma'am.
Why, do you think?
Because you're so old.
And how old do you suspect that I am?
Eighty-seven.
I am eight-eight and wiser too than you suspect. Sit on this bench and face the sun. There, what do you see?
Buildings.
And in front of the buildings.
The field.
In front of the field.
Traffic.
Yes, that's right, Daniel. A race of cripples; see them shine. What's in front of the traffic, Daniel? Daniel, am I making you uncomfortable?
The old woman cleared her throat and spit out a tooth. She picked it up and put it in her handbag.
Yes, you are.
Is it my tone of voice?
No.
Do my lessons startle you? Are you uncomfortable that I insist?
Maybe.
If I am harsh Daniel, it is only that we haven't much time. You are a lucky boy, but no boys are that lucky.
That's not it.
What is it, then? You can tell me Daniel. If I am to be your teacher, there aren't to be secrets. Daniel? What is it in front of the traffic Daniel?
The leaves.
A leaf fell, maybe from an oak tree, or else up from the chewing wheels of traffic. It tumbled on a gust and drew shapes in the air, shapes neither Daniel nor the old woman could read, shapes that nonetheless moved them deeply. Inside. Someone somewhere honked. Suddenly, the air was chilly, and the park cast in orange. It was as if the clay of the ball field had grown. It was the sunset. The old woman started to cry. Daniel didn't understand. The woman didn't understand either. They held hands.
You're a real good teacher.
***
About the Writer: TOM DeBEAUCHAMP
Tom DeBeauchamp is a writer and printer living in Seattle, WA. Of the many works published in Hobart and Burrow Press this October, a few of them are his.