Michael skimmed the paper with a smile. He looked up at the boy.
"Well kiddo, you're stuck with a pretty tough book for a kid your age." He winked at the boy as the boy chuckled. "And I know your mother raised you with better manners than the ones you're displaying now."
The boy sighed and looked at me. "I apologize for the interruption Ma'am. I'm just very overwhelmed with this assignment. My name's Walt though I preferred to go by
Wally." He pulled out a dirt-covered hand from his pocket, whipped it on his jeans then held it out with a smile.
I couldn't help but smile. "That's quite alright, Wally." I shook his hand. "My name's Jane and since I'm going to be staying around this place for awhile you can call me Birdie." I winked at Wally and he reviled a sheepish grin. I nodded my head toward the paper, "So what book do you have to read?"
"Beowulf."
I raised a brow, "How old are you?"
"Nine and three quarters."
Michael chimed in, "Wally here is an incredibly smart young man. He started reading Shakespeare last year and didn't stop until he read all the sonnets and understood them well. I made a point to tell his teacher not to go easy on him." He looked at Wally, "I offered him my help any time he needed it. Day or night." Wally grinned from ear to ear and nodded his head. Michael just smiled. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to look for a copy of the epic poem."
I watched him walk away as Wally plopped down in his spot on the couch opposite to me. Wally didn't say much for the first few minutes then said quietly, "He's a good guy." I looked at him almost startled. "After my dad died Michael helped mom and me take care of my younger brother and sisters. He took me under his wing, kinda. I'm very protective of him." He stopped staring at his shoes and looked at me. It was the kind of look that kept my focus so that I couldn't look away. "That's why I looked at you like I did when I first got here. I'm very suspicious of strangers, especially ones that show up in Michael's nook. I'll be polite to you Jane. But until I know for sure that you aren't going to hurt him," He struggled for words. I still think he didn't know quite what he wanted to say, "That's all I will be." He nodded for emphasis and then smiled as he saw Michael walking back.
I suppressed my chuckle and looked up at Michael. He winked at me then handed the book to Wally. "Read it twice then come over and we'll discuss whatever it is you don't understand. Okay?"
Wally nodded while flipping through the book. "Thank you Michael." He looked at me with a polite smile, "Jane, it was nice meeting you."
As Wally left the store in a proud strut, I looked at Michael and started to say something but was caught off guard by his giggling. "He gave you the speech didn't he?"
I nodded a very confused nod and just looked at him while he got control of himself. He sighed, "His father was killed three years ago in a car accident. Since then, he's been told time and time again that he's the man of the house. I helped the family out here and there without interfering with that idea. I took him under my wing. I left so he could get his speech out now instead of hunting you down later. He's done that with everyone I talk to or help out.