SEVENTY

Maxine sat on the back porch watching Abby play on her swings. She’d gotten a call from Jessie saying she’d be a little late getting back from town. Could Maxine stay and watch Abby for just a little longer? She’d pay her overtime. Maxine had told her not to worry about that. She was glad to stay.

It was a lovely autumn day to sit on the porch. There wouldn’t be many more days like this with winter waiting just around the corner. The sun was high and warm and felt good on Maxine’s face. After she and Abby had finished their lessons, Maxine had told the little girl she could play in the backyard until her mother got home. The tutor settled into the wicker rocking chair and enjoyed an unexpected bit of relaxation in the middle of the day. Watching Abby swing up and down, her little feet pointing out in front of her, her blond pigtails flying in the wind, almost lulled Maxine to sleep.

But then suddenly Abby shouted out in excitement. “My friend! My friend!”

The little girl jumped off the swing, her face lit up with joy. Through the tall yellow grass a small boy came walking. Maxine watched him closely. He was a dark-haired, dark-eyed child whose gaze was fixed on Abby. He wore a dirty T-shirt and a pair of dungarees, and he was barefoot.

“Aaron!” Abby was shouting. “You’ve come back!”

She ran through the grass to meet him. Maxine stood, watching. She saw Abby take the boy’s hand and lead him back toward the swing set.

“Abby!” Maxine called. “Don’t leave the yard.”

“I won’t,” she called back. “Maxine, this is my friend Aaron. Can he play on the swings with me?”

“May he play on the swings with you,” Maxine corrected, smiling.

“May he play?” Abby tried again.

“I don’t see why not,” Maxine replied. “Hello, Aaron.”

“Hello,” he called over, lifting his little hand to wave at Maxine.

What an adorable little boy, Maxine thought. She settled back into her rocking chair. Although she recalled Jessie’s uneasy expression when she’d heard the boy’s name, Maxine thought no one could object to the children playing together when Abby looked so happy. And after all, Maxine reasoned, they were only swinging. Surely no harm could come from that.