Look at me! Barbara cautioned herself. I'm already sizing him up as a dating prospect, and we've only just met! But he is... yes, I have to admit it... rather gorgeous! And he seems nice, too! Gail, is your hand in this, our meeting? "There's a small park right over there, and a bench," Stephen Collier suggested to Barbara, motioning to one side. "Riding class is over, Tim, and I'll have one of the other cadets finish grooming your horse."
Barbara noticed that Tim looked glad his instructor called his pony a horse.
"Why don't you and your aunt have your reunion there? Unless it's too cold, Miss Markey, and you'd rather go inside."
"No, the weather's fine," Barbara replied, turning her divided attention back onto Tim.
She almost laughed, thinking, And Tim's sunshine even makes it warmer! "Would you see me before you leave?" Tim's counselor asked Barbara. "I'd welcome a chance to talk to you."
She said she would, then followed as Tim led her eagerly to the park.
When they were sitting close to each other on the bench, Tim came close to tears. Barbara thought he held them back like the little soldier he looked.
Her godson's thoughts then poured out of him like water from a faucet turned on full-blast. "I miss Mommy very much. But I'm so glad you came. You're home for good now, from England? I read every letter you sent me at least four times and keep them all. I hated when they put Mommy in the ground. I knew I'd never see her again. Are you going to take me to live with you? I'd like that, but if not, I'd rather stay here than live with my grandmother. She's okay, and Grandpa too, but I love you!"
After more hugs, there was a lot to tell and learn between them. But Barbara knew it could not be done in an hour sitting on a park bench in the growing cold of the late morning.
"Let me see where you live?" she asked.
"I'll probably only get an hour with you," Tim said, then led the way.
He took her eagerly to the second floor of one of the dormitories, a white brick and wood New England-style building that looked like the rest of those on campus. Leading her down a hall with rooms on either side, he took her into his. The small room, empty of occupants because his fellow cadets were in class, contained two bunk beds covered by brown military-type blankets. Two tall green metal wardrobes stood near the head of each bunk and there were two green metal footlockers and four small desks and chairs in the room.