A Lesson In Prolepsis

[Roy Hobbs]

"Dear Mister Stone,"

Many times after class you said how strong
our legs looked beneath our skirts— so,
how easy to walk kilometers back to our farm.

Then, the pickup pulled over.

Veruska giggled and got in-- a creamy wafer
wedged between two big men; and I thought,
if she can accept a ride, then why not me?
She's a prudent girl armed with her granny's
fierce instructions, and I was your best student.

I climbed in. The front seat was so high,
and dear teacher-- no one ever saw us again.

Love,
Cassie