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“Ready?”

“Hell yeah”

They bounced out the door after one last goodbye, leaving a very glum Brandon in my very capable hands I’d already settled him down in front of the fireplace Traded his latest attelass of water

“Midterms,” I said sternly “Remember?”

He nodded again, and we got to work At first it was slow going There were a lot of distractions; feeding the fire, answering the door to hand out candy, trying to keep Brandon’s attention focused on his work rather than our usual flirtatious banter I tried keeping things serious though For as long as I could, anyway

“You’re definitely getting it,” I said after an hour and a half, “but I still think you’re going too quickly”

Brandon groaned in frustration We were laying side by side now, the fire roaring, the workbook between us

Slon,” I told him “Read the questions If you just take your ti for”

Another knock at the door Another group of trick-or-treaters They were showing up less frequently now that it was getting a little later, but they were still co And ere almost out of candy

Brandon did his best to listen as I tutored him some more Another hour went by, but somewhere around the forty-fivethe right answers, and

showing the right work It was like so in his head just clicked

“That’s it!” I told him excitedly “Just like that!”

He grinned with pure happiness, then leaned over into kiss me, but he only planted one on my cheek

“You’re the best, you know that?”

“Well I aed