Those Wild Eyes

There was a snort of laughter and quiet applause from the young-old poet-god, his hands clasping with a wring of fiendish glee following her declarations. “Ye would be t’e one t’speak up! I’m not surprised, but I amimpressed. Ye were what–in ‘igh school?” His eyes danced with laughter. “Maybe ye’ll be teachin’ folks yerself someday. Besides t’e ‘ula, I mean, and don’t get me wrong–that’s fabulous, too. But if y’ask me, and I’m not sayin’ ye ought to–but ye’ve got quite t’e talent fer stating much-needed trut’s.”

“Middle school. But I will be honest and say it happened again in high school. Didn’t get detention that time, though. The teacher budged, just a little.” Aolani was grateful to her parents; most wouldn’t have delved into everything she needed to know at thirteen, much less even touch upon the resources available to her. But they were of the opinion that they needed to do everything on their part to make sure their daughter was as informed as possible. So naturally, she became irritated when others were denied the same courtesy in class meant to provide that very information. “Thanks, Angus. I’ll give your compliments to my parents and the other women in my family.”

Nodding appreciatively, Angus folded his hands on his middle and watched Lani with fond eyes. That’s right. She was going to have a proper doctorate and everything. It was unbelievable. She was, in some way, going to change and/or save the world. He always felt that about her. He felt that way about a few people. But none who so ardently put their heart and soul into it as Lani did. Literal firepower.

“Och, well, I’m obligated t’be a cat person due t’me friendships wit’ certain parties. But I do love me a puppy now and again.” He’d had a few hounds in his day, but like most things in his life, they were mercurial friends at best. He smiled at Lani over the top of one of several coffee cups, sipping his oolong with a contented sigh.

“Did ye really,” Angus snorted, putting the cup down and propping a hand under his chin–prepared to fully dedicate all of his scattered attention to Lani and Lani alone (despite the blue of that one woman’s sweater being trulyappealing and the leaves blowing outside calling him to dance). “T’is one I’ve GOT t’ear.”

“I started out as a cat person for the same reasons, eventually dogs and bunnies were added. Stop by soon – Rocky and Buttons aren’t pups anymore, but they’d love to see you again. And yes, I did.” Lani shifted around in her chair with a proud, nostalgic smile. “The only class material that applied to everyone was the stuff about STDs and STIs. Everything else, much like the textbook, was catered to boys. Now, my parents talked to me about pretty much everything. So, when things like basic female anatomy, contraceptives for women, and things like Planned Parenthood weren’t addressed, I asked about them. Just because I knew about them already didn’t mean others in the class did, too. Teacher brushed me off.” 

A pause to sip her tea.

i never claimed to think things out well

“You will see.”