friend than an adversary did make studying dull subjects a little more bearable. For the next three hours, Ian actually did find himself beginning to memorize not just the names and dates, but some of what each of the eleven emperors had accomplished during their reign. He started to think to himself, "Perhaps there's hope for me yet."
1:18 pm
It was time for Lily to leave. She removed the CDR from the computer. "Well, that's it for today Ian. Tomorrow, we'll start working on math. I'm off to your school."
Ian got up and walked with her to the front door, "Lily, are you going there to file a report on my progress?"
"Actually, there's a videotape I've got to pick up. A girl had an accident and is stuck at home for a week. They're taping her first four classes for her, and I'm supposed to drop it off at her house."
Remembering Trish's words, once again Ian 'seized the moment'. "That would be Rita Hammond."
"You know her?"
"Yeah, Rita’s my gi....she's my friend. If you'd like, I can take my bike over to the school and deliver it to her for you." Although he was planning on heading straight to the Hasting school to spend some time with his biker friends, Ian realized that this was way too good an opportunity to pass up.
Lily thought about it for a second. "Ian, I've got a better idea. Why don't you hop in my car, and we'll both deliver it to her. You can direct me towards her house."
"That sounds like a good suggestion to me."
The two of them informed Ian's mother of their plans. She was curious.
"So Ian, you're spending the afternoon at a friend's? Anybody I know?"
"I think so. You've met Rita Hammond's folks, haven't you?"
His mother looked surprised. "Yes, I know the Hammond. I also know about Rita's accident. They live just nine blocks from here, right?"
"Yep."
"Well Ian, keep in mind that it gets dark a lot earlier now. If it gets late, give me a call and I'll come pick you up."
"I can probably get a lift from Mrs. Hammond."
"Alright, but don't impose yourself too much. See you at dinner dear." She turned to Lily. "And thank you very much." Mrs. Ian was pleasantly surprised that her son had someone besides Steven with whom he was friendly enough to visit at home.
"I'll see you tomorrow," said Lily, as she and Ian disappeared out the door. The two of them hopped in the car and took off. Half-way to the school, she decided to engage in some idle conversation. "So is this Hammond kid your girlfriend?"
Ian paused and smiled. "That's too premature. I only started seeing her yesterday."
Lily grinned, "I'll take that as a probability."
The car pulled up in front of the school.
"Shall I wait in the car?" Ian asked.
"What for? It's twenty after one. All the kids are in class. Nobody's going to see you. Move it."
They ambled up the school steps and headed towards the Principal's office. Mr. Raoul was slightly surprised to see both of them.
"So how did Mr. Ian do?"
Lily put her hand on Ian's shoulder. "This kid's a genius. Just give me another few days with him. Listen, there's something I've got to ask you."
"What's that?" asked the principal
"It would save me a lot of time and trouble if, for the next few days, Ian here came by and picked up Rita Hammond's videos. Besides, it wouldn't hurt him to go and study with her, after studying with me."
The Principal pondered this for a moment. "Well, I'll go along with that if Rita or her parents give me a call and indicate that she's o.k. with it. He paused for a moment then turned to Ian. "I just hope that Rita turns out to be more of an influence on you, than you are on her."
"I now consider to her be more of a colleague than a distraction," Ian announced.
The principal was skeptical. "That's all well and good, Mr. Ian, but are you sure she considers you to be a colleague and not an annoying pest?"
"As a matter of fact, Rita's probably the only girl in the school who does."
"Alright then. Here's the video. It includes everything except the drama class and phys-ed." I suppose that in her condition, Rita will be needing someone to help her type, anyway. Just make sure you time it so you always arrive here while classes are in session." He handed Ian the video. "Go now, Mr. Ian."
"Thank you sir."
"I'll be in touch with you about his progress," assured Lily.
Everyone bid each other goodbye. They hopped back in the car, and Ian directed her to the Hammond’s residence. They knocked on the door, and Rita answered.
"Ian!" she could not contain her elation upon seeing her new friend, accompanying the woman she was expecting to deliver her video.
For a brief moment, Ian completely forgot himself, and put his hand on her cheek, just like he did in his daydreams. "Hi there Angel." Instantly recognizing his burst, he quickly panicked and apologized "Oh no, I'm so sorry!" He jerked his hand away from her face.
"What on earth are you apologizing for? So that's the nickname you gave me in your fantasies? Interesting." Lily observed this awkward courtship ritual with amusement.
"Rita, this is my tutor Lily. She was originally slated to bring you these daily videos, but Principal Raoul gave me permission to do it from now on, as long as it's alright with you and your mom."
"Pleased to meet you, Lily." She turned back to Ian. "Of course it's alright with me, but why aren't you being tutored right now?
"That's only for three hours each morning. I'm free to spend the rest of the day with you."
Lily pulled the video out of her handbag. "Here, maybe the two of you should watch this together. Are you two in any of the same classes?"
"Just sociology." Rita took the video. "Would you like to come in, Lily?"
"Thanks, but I've got another client to see in a half-hour." She turned to her student. "Ian, before you go watch that video with her, can you come to my car for a second? I need you to help me with something."
"Sure. Hang on, Rita, I'll be right back.”
Rita disappeared into the house as Ian and his tutor walked to the car.
"So what do you need help with?" He asked.
Lily turned around and surprised him. "Ian, I don't really need help with anything. I just wanted to talk to you alone for a minute."
"About what?"
"Did you notice the expression on that girl's face, when she saw you?"
"Yeah, she was pretty pleased."
"That's putting it mildly." Lily put her hands on his shoulders as she spoke. "Ian, she was elated. I'm a woman. I recognize that look. I swear, if this were the 19th century, that girl would, at this very moment, be your wife."
He was beside himself. "Well needless to say, I'm sure you must've noticed the similar reaction from me too."
"Ian, I'm going to tell you something that is more important than any homework assignment. As a matter of fact, I'm going to give you some advice that is more important than anything."
"What's that?"
"Do not leave that house today, Ian, without looking at Rita in the eyes and saying 'I love you' at some point. It doesn't matter if she says it first, or you do. Believe me, if you don't, you will live to regret it. You have no idea how many guys have." Lily got into her car and rolled down the window. "Take my word for it.”
Although Ian already had his sights set on making the leap from "friend" to "boyfriend" official at some point this week, he wasn't sure whether or not today might be a little too soon. He entered the house and closed the door behind him. Mrs. Hammond was helping Rita insert the video into the VCR. The fallen grandfather clock was still in the middle of the room.
"Hi Ian!" Mrs. Hammond seemed as h
appy to see him as her daughter.
"Hello Mrs. Hammond. Mind if I stick around and watch the tape with Rita?"
"Ian, you're always welcome here. If either of you need me for anything, just yell. I'll be in the backyard, gardening." She winked at the two of them, and left the room.
Ian sat down next to Rita, facing the television. "You know, you've got the coolest mom ever."
"I would have to agree with that any time."
"Of course, my mom would probably be just as cool, if you were her kid instead of me."
"Ian, it’s time to study. Can you do me a favour and turn up the volume a little?"
He picked up the remote, and did so. Mr. Norman's overly familiar voice poured from the TV's speakers. For a couple of minutes, the two of them just stared at the screen, while he droned on. Ian picked up the remote once again and put it on pause.
"Rita, there's something I've got to ask you."
"What's that Ian?"
"Look at all that stuff on the blackboard." Ian was referring to the jumble of lines, numbers and equations on the board behind Norman. "Do you really understand any of that? It looks like Chinese to me."
"You know Ian, here's yet one more thing the two of us have in common. Math has never been one of my strengths. Can you keep a secret?"
"Sure."
"Two weeks ago, I did Phoebe's history assignments for her, and in exchange, she did my math homework."
"Well, Rita. that's the most brilliant scheme I've ever heard." Ian was amused. "Phoebe is a certified mathematical genius, so why not?"
Rita gave him an admiring look.
"Why are you looking at me like