Learning Curves #4: Final Examination

By Maxine Clematis

David's fourth assignment involves a detailed lesson in restraint.

Cassie is at her uncompromising strictest, and David studies harder than he ever has before. There seems to be nothing he won't do to please his sultry black tutor as she guides him through coursework that makes high school seem like child's play.

Age versus youth, patience versus abandon -- teacher and student are back in the classroom!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maxine Clematis
• Release date: Sep 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370637201

Maxine Clematis

Maxine Clematis has a BA in English and has been writing for many years. She is one of the industry's best-kept secrets, but a cult favorite with fans. Her stories are richly diverse and always well written, populated by believable characters exploring raw emotion, and filled with scorching encounters that burn the page like fire.

Book preview

Final Examination

His parents and little brother were still asleep when David quietly stepped through the front door, knapsack slung over his shoulder. The grass was dew-laden, and he kicked up wetness with his waterproof clogs as he walked around the side of the house toward Cassie's place. It was early, and the neighborhood was mostly silent. Awakening birds warbled in the big maple near her driveway, and a dog barked somewheres down the street. Last night's argument with his mother remained fresh in his mind, and he was consumed with warring emotions. She hadn't been pleased about this weekend trip, and had made her feelings clear in a way that only a young man's mother could...

*****

I don't understand why a thirty-something married black woman would want to spend the weekend with an eighteen-year-old white boy, his mother said, sitting on the living room couch beside his father. Is there something going on between you two?

God no, David exclaimed, trying to sound as disgusted as he could at the mere thought of it. And anyway, it's not just going to be me. Andres is meeting us up there with their niece. How many more times do I need to say it?

In fact, Andres and the niece were not coming to the cabin. He didn't like lying, but did he really have much choice? His mother nodded sardonically.

It all sounds quite cozy.

I'm sorry, Mom, David said. I'm going, and that's all there is to it.

His mother's stare was pointed. David, if you weren't feeling guilty about something, you wouldn't have to say you're sorry.

David struggled to control his mounting irritation. This is getting us nowhere. I'm going to bed.

Don't you walk away from me! his mother shouted, leaping to her feet.

Ellen, his father said sharply. That's enough.

David retreated before his mother could reply, but took a seat midway up the stairs. He was out of sight, but could still hear them quite clearly.

That certainly went well, his father said. I hope you're pleased with yourself.

Your son was with her a long time that day, Robert. And there was a car in the driveway I didn't recognize. She scoffed. Stopped-up drain, my ass.

Robert chuckled. Maybe they were watching TV.

David grinned inwardly. He had been watching and doing a lot of things that day, but television hadn't one of them.

I'm glad you find this so amusing, Ellen replied tartly.

Robert chuckled again. So what if he's porking the next-door-neighbor --

Oh for God's sake, Robert! That's disgusting!

They're both adults, El.

"Is that the kind