A wave of confusion crested over Trey. It must've shown on his face.
"Her real name's Ethyl. She likes to use a variety of names. Can't say I blame her."
"Ethyl?"
"Yeah, like at the gas station, ethyl or regular."
Trey still didn't understand. He looked to his grandfather for help. He responded while piling chicken on a plate and passing it to Trey by way of Kate. "Ethyl teaches history," he explained. "She was having trouble getting through to some of her students and decided to try something a little unconventional to get their attention."
"This was a couple years ago, and she was getting desperate," Kate said. "There aren't that many folks willing to pay for history lessons to begin with. She couldn't afford to lose any students."
Trey tried to concentrate on what they were saying, but the smell of fried chicken made it difficult. Kate put a fist-sized helping of mashed potatoes on his plate and puddled gravy in the middle. A trickle of the thick, fragrant liquid dripped down one crisp edge of the chicken.
"What'd she do that was so different?" Trey asked.
"They were studying ancient Egypt at the time," Trey's grandfather said. "She came to school dressed like Cleopatra."
"What a shock that must've been," Kate said. "She found a costume from the old show days--harem pants, a skimpy top, lots of jewelry and make-up--then she waltzed into class and introduced herself as the Queen of the Nile. Wouldn't say anything more until the students addressed her properly. Pretty soon they were asking questions and she was giving answers. I daresay those kids learned a lot. Then, when word got out about her skimpy costume--"
"Which took about ten minutes," the old man interjected.
"--a whole bunch of boys signed up for her class. She wouldn't let 'em in unless they agreed to stay the whole year, and paid in advance. She chose one new character a week after that, and just played the roles. I know--I helped her with a lot of the costumes. She got so good at it, and had so much fun doing it, that she let it slide over into her non-school life. She even wears the costumes when she's working at the café. Customers love it."
"I thought you said she was a teacher."
"She is. She's also a business owner. Co-owner, actually. She and a friend run a pastry shop in town."
Trey nodded. "Do you know who she is this week?"
"Wait, don't tell me," said the old man, his food untouched. He clenched his eyes shut in concentration. They all sat in silence until he shook his head in defeat.
"Think Christmas," Trey said.
"Mary! Of course," Kate giggled. "Bet that took you by surprise. 'Course, she's hardly a virgin."
Feeling his role as a southern gentleman had been compromised somehow, Trey said, "I wish y'all wouldn't do that."
"Do what?"
"Tell me you're not virgins."
"Who said anything about me?" Kate asked, as she coolly met his gaze.
Trey chomped down on a fleshy drumstick and chewed to cover his discomfort. He couldn't remember the last time he'd tasted anything so flavorful.
~End of excerpt~
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