After Absalom got his haircut, he went over to the school for his writing lesson. Kathleen was grading papers when he walked in. She put the papers up and started to get out Absalom's work ready for him this afternoon.

She remembered when the young man had brought her something that he had written. He had wanted her opinions about getting it published. She thought that the content was good, but he needed a little work with his grammar. She had offered to tutor him twice a week after school to help him get it ready for publishing.

Today there was something different about him. She couldn't place it right away, but after a moment�s hesitation she said, "I like your new haircut."

"Thank you." Absalom seemed to be nervous about something. "Miss Boudreaux . . ."

"Absalom, I've you told you before you can call me Kathleen." She interrupted. At age 16, Absalom was considered to be an adult and being just three years older, she felt him to be a friend that could drop the formalities.

"I was wondering," he continued, "if you were going to the dance with anybody?"

"Well, no has asked me to go, so I'm going alone."

"Well, would you like to go with me?"

Kathleen was stunned. She didn't think anybody would ask her to the dance. She was glad that Absalom had asked her. "Sure."