“I had never anticipated teaching people older than me. But in those days the literacy rate wasn’t what it is now. Frankly, I had a lot of nervousness about teaching Bernard…to be honest, I didn’t think he would actually show up for his lesson…but come 7:00, there he was to finish off my fourth day of teaching.”

***

Bernard lifted his hand to knock once again. However, before he could, the door swung open before him. There before him, wearing a plain brown dress and strict black glasses, was his tormentor.

“Well, it’s 7:00, you’re punctual, that is a quality I always appreciate in my students.”

“I’m not your student.” Bernard protested.

“That’s what you think. The first step to learning is admitting that you don’t know everything. Now, where should we start?”

“Let’s make one thing clear, I’m only here because I don’t want the town to find out I don’t know how to read.”

“Very well then. Come inside and sit down please, class is in session.” Miss Auclair stepped backward. Seeing his way clear, Bernard made his way into the simply furnished living room.

“Tell me. Have you ever learned any reading at all?”

“No,” Bernard muttered as he settled into a worn wooden chair.

“Does your wife Rebekah know how to read?”

“Ha. Rebekah is a lot of things but she certainly isn’t my wife.”

Miss Auclair paused. Startled by this revelation. “I see…it just seemed to me that, she might be…”

“My wife died a few years ago and left me with those two children. I raise them the best I can…but it isn’t easy.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Miss Auclair felt a familiar crimson blush creep up her face. “Anyway, I guess we’ll have to start at the beginning. Have you ever heard of Dick and Jane?”

“Of course. Dick and Jane Collins live out by Arden, I know them well.”

“That’s not what I meant. Dick and Jane is the reader for beginners.” She presented a well-worn book to her student. “Ahem. Let’s start on page one…yes, open it to page one. Good. Now, repeat after me, See Jane run…see Jane go…”

“This is for children!”

“Never mind that this is exactly what you need right now…repeat after me please, see Jane run…see Jane go…”

“See. Jane. Run.”

“See. Jane. Run.”

Bernard stood to his feet. “I’m too old for this!”

“You want to win the next election, don’t you?”

Bernard made his way to the door. “I can do that without learning anything.”

“You probably could, but think a little bit, wouldn’t you be able to do a better job as mayor if you knew how to read?”

Bernard paused. His hand was on the doorknob and his mind was in turmoil. Finally, he seemed to make up his mind about something. “Listen, I tried,…you saw me, but I can’t learn. Now, how much money do you need to keep quiet about what just happened here?”

“Bernard, I need you to try again. Trust me…it’s hard, but it’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Alright, I’ll try, as long as you keep all this a secret.” He said as he returned into the uncomfortable wooden chair.

“Of course. Now, tell me, what does that sentence say?”

“What does that sentence say?” Bernard repeated obediently.

“Oh.” Miss Auclair stifled a chuckle. “What I meant was, that line right there…what does that say?”

“This is never going to work,” Bernard grumbled.

“Stop grumbling and start trying, you might be surprised what happens. Now let’s try this again.” Miss Auclair pointed to a sentence. “What does that say? Remember, we just went over it.”