Chapter 7

Alice's parents looked like they had just stepped out of the judge's chambers, and not just because I felt guilty. That's how they were dressed.

Her mother painted her hair blond, which I suppose is in part responsible for Alice's vociferous objections to dying her hair that color, and looked sort of like Hillary Clinton, with a somewhat narrower face. Maybe it was the disapproving expression that brought that comparison up.

Her father isn't quite as tall as I am, if somewhat broader, his valiant struggles to keep his stomach from ballooning mostly successful. Not quite bald, he kept a good poker face, which was strange, as that was something I expected from the lawyer.

Alice leaped to the rescue. "Jack, Denise, I'm sure you've met Mark before. I've been helping him with math and he's been helping me with ... other things," Alice had a cheeky grin pasted on. I could feel her hand trembling, but she managed to make her dad smile, if only slightly. Her mother had a frowning cloud face on. "Mark, these are my parents. As you might remember."

"So," Denise addressed me directly, trying to stare me down from almost a foot below, "you're responsible for her new clothes and look?"

"I'd say guilty, but my lawyer advised me never to use that word," it just slipped out. "I also bought the jewelry," I added, noting that Alice had the exquisite platinum crown I bought her on, holding her hair back from her face.

"Do you really think you can buy my daughter with that?" Denise tried.

I controlled the urge to say that I bought them after, looking at Alice when she started laughing and laughing again. It was funny enough that I couldn't help but join her, moving her before me and hugging her back tight to me, hands folded beneath her breasts.

"Just what is so amusing?" Jack asked, his voice deep and his tone patient.

"Oh, you see, I didn't even pay for the tutoring she gave me. I thought money didn't matter to her," I replied once I had my voice back.

"You didn't even... ," her mother's voice crossed mine as I said that, "I've already remedied that."

"Oh?" Alice stiffened in my arms.

"Look at your bank balance," I suggested. "The transfer should be in, by now. Just how long does it take?" I asked the bank president, holding back a smile.

"Just what are you doing here now?" Denise demanded, as Natasha came up the stairs with a tray of cookies. I stopped to take in that wondrous smell, before replying, "Tutoring, math. I left the papers downstairs, if you'll excuse me for a moment. Many thanks, Tasha, I think I'm going to live another week," I winked at her and shot a brief questioning look at Alice, who nodded minutely. With a heavy heart, I left her to the lions for a minute, passing by Natasha and stealing a cookie as I went by, humming my appreciation. Damn, that was tense.

I hurried back, everything in hand. Voices were raised, but only for a moment. They went quiet again as I approached.

"That is not papers for math," Denise declared.

"That is not just papers for math," I agreed. "I got Alice some bathing suits."

"You did what?" Alice squeaked out.

"One piece suits were fine fifty years ago," I explained gently, "but now? Alice is anything but dowdy," I gave her a very appreciative look.

"You'll be studying math?" Jack said with some measure of finality.

"He's taking some math courses at the college," Alice told her parents.

"Most certainly. I have some homework to hand in tomorrow. Alice can test out of the math classes, but I need help."

"Help which I'm here to give. Now come on," it was clear that she wanted to drag me away from her parents, but she managed to just guide me gently. With visible effort. As if I didn't know the way to her room.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," Alice muttered, picking up her pace as soon as we were out of sight, "they just had to come back early. They have a positive talent for fucking things up for me."

"Don't worry, I have every intention of fucking something for you tonight," I whispered back, "as long as you went over the security?"

"Cameras and motion sensors outside, best come in through the front door, I'll give you the code for the alarm," Alice's voice picked up as we entered her room. She jumped back, sprawling on her bed, seeming to will herself to relax. "So, what did you get me?"

"Without you there to try it on, I picked what I liked and got three sizes for each. I don't trust my judgment of that so I'd rather have you amused and comfortable. There's an exchange cert for you for everything, so think of it as another shopping trip. I really wanted you to model, but... ," I nodded at the door.

"Better not risk it," she chewed on her lip. "Well," she pointed at the desk, "let's get to work."

Alice was quite a bit sharper with me than usual, perhaps thinking that I had by some miracle improved my understanding of math with my understanding of her body. Alas, it didn't quite work out that way. We were both yawning by the time we were done, and I could see that our thoughts were working in tandem. Or parallel, whichever.

"Instead of me sneaking in tonight, why don't you leave early, come over to my place? Would that be safe?"

"Will you be awake? What about your mother?" Alice looked worried.

"If not, wake me up. As long as you don't make too much noise, mom won't wake up, and therefore won't care. Or care too much, anyway. What of you?"