;Youplayoutofthisworld."Shesmiled,and,buoyedbyherremarks,Igavemymostinspiredrecital.Intheweeksandmonthsthatfollowed,weslowlygottoknoweachother.Shewouldhangarouudiolisteningtomeplaythesamepieceoverandover,Mr.Martinwhisperinggruffly,"Adagio,adagio."WearraohavelunchtogetheronSaturdays.Oversandwichesspreadoutonaper,wedchataboutthatdayslessons.Iusuallyhadafewdollarsinmypocketfromperformances,sowecouldgotoashoworstopforanicecreamorasoda.Ourversatioeredaroundthekindsofsubjectsfifteen-year-oldstalkabout:school,friends,unbelievableparents,and,inourcase,thepiano.Orrather,Italkedaboutmusiposers,Mr.Martin,records,theaffinitiesofjazzwiththeclassidallsortsofnatteringtheoriesofmiwasnotaversation,morelikeamonologue.Ididnotknowhowtolisten,howtodrawherout,orhowtobequietandenjoyherpany.Shemaywellhavebeenalovelyperson.

    Whenthesuoheatupthespringair,wetookastrolltothepark,aplaallyavoidedbecauseofitsresemblaheforest.Butthedaffodilswereinflower,anditseemedperfectlyromantic.Thecityhadturhefountain,ann,abythewatersedge,watgthecascadeforalongtime.IdidnotknowhowtodowhatIwaodo,howtoask,whattosay,inwhatmaobroachthesubject.Sallysavedme.

    "Henry?"sheasked,hervoicerisinganoctave."Henry,wevebeentakingwalksandhavinglunchtogetherandgoingtothemoviesforoverthreemonths,andinallthattime,Ivewondered:Doyoulikeme?"

    "OfcourseIdo."

    "Ifyoulikeme,likeyousay,howeyourytoholdmyhand?"

    Itookherhandinmine,surprisedbytheheatinherfiheperspira