COME TO STAY 1962

A GIRL AND BOY AT HIGH SCHOOL IN 1962 AND A SUGGESTION OF STAYING OVER AT HER PLACE.

Yochana can't wait
for the first period of lessons
to finish to tell Benedict
what her mother had suggested
about him staying over
at a weekend
(providing her father agreed
which he would she knew)

Miss G talks on
about Mozart's Requiem
and plays parts on the piano
and sings parts too
(how some boys smirk
and get away with it
she'll never know)

she gazes back at Benedict
in the back row
with the Rolland boy

Benedict gazes shyly at her
then down at the desk
she looks to the front again

Miss G says
about Mozart's death
when the bell rings
and she stops and says
all right get your books
and off you go
and remember to listen
to the Requiem if you
have the chance

the pupils gather books
and move towards the door

she waits with Angela
(moody today
because she's on)

Benedict walks towards her
with the Rolland boy

can I have a word?
she says

take your pick
Rolland says
piss or off?

it's all right Rolly
I need to talk to Yoccy anyway
Benedict says

the Rolland boy
walks off grinning

sorry about him
Benedict says  
let's go and talk elsewhere

she nods and they walk
down the corridor
and stand by the indoor beehive
with a glass front

well what is it
you want to see me about?
he says
looking at her

don't call me Yoccy
it's horrible
she says
my names is Yochana

he nods and looks at her eyes
is that all?

no my mother said
you can come and stay
one weekend

he pulls a face
me? stay?

yes if my father agrees
which I think he will
Yochana says

is your mother unwell?

no she just wants to meet you
and as you can't come
after school a weekend
is the best time

he looks at his shoes
then back at her
I thought she didn't like
you seeing me?

she doesn't but my father
had a word and she wants
to meet you
Yochana says

I see
Benedict says

kids pass by
and some stand gawking
at the bees moving
on the glass front

don't you want
to come and stay?
she says
her mind begins
to have doubts
that he will come after all
that he will say no
and that it was all
some big error on her part  

of course I'd love to
but won't it be awkward
if she doesn't want me there?

not with my father there
he'll keep things smooth
she says

Benedict stares at her
then at the bees

she feels panicky
as if he'll decide not to
and walk off
and she'll feel utterly empty
and lost

all right
he says
when can I stay?

as soon as my father agrees
and a date can be set
for both of us
she says

he nods and smiles

but my mother said
no funny business
Yochana says

funny business?
Benedict says
what's she mean?

God knows
but whatever you do
don't make her laugh
Yochana says

is it possible?
he says

no hardly
she has the humour of a nun
Yochana says

he touches her hand
she feels it
and breathes
through her nose

best go
he says
and goes.