While Miss Murphy was home changing clothes the Mother Superior took over the class, and she called Max up to the desk to get his homework paper. But, she dropped it next to her boots which stuck out under her white robe. Max bent down to get the paper but she stepped on it first, just missing his fingers. Max kept trying to pull it out while she fought to keep her boot on it. The whole class was laughing. And when Max looked up she was smiling but it was ugly, her mouth was all crooked. Then she kicked the homework at him and made believe nothing happened.

The climax of Max’s feelings came during the final Graduation Pageant held for the parents. The class sang songs with choruses of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat!” But when Max saw Miss Murphy dressed in her tight sailor costume his feelings shot through the roof. It was a little red, white and blue bathing suit, high heel shoes and stockings which ran all the way up and looked like fish net. She was pretty for sure—he knew that! When she walked around the stage and then she sat down right next to him it was thrilling! But it also made him feel confused and sad at the same time. The year was over so maybe this was the last time he would see her. And, when they sang their songs for the audience little Max sang his heart out as they merrily rowed their boat next to each other. They were laughing. Her face shined from having so much fun and her legs opened and pumped in rhythm to the music with him. He had another stiff dickie and was scared and excited too, realizing it was all because of his feelings for Miss Murphy. That night there weren’t enough choruses of “Row Row Row Your Boat” for him!

His thought was right about her. During the summer he went on an errand for his mother and walked by the school which was on top of a hill. From a distance he saw the Mother Superior and the other nuns sitting at an outdoor table with Miss Murphy. By now he could spot her perfect round face a mile away. She rose from the table with the nuns and everybody was smiling. She shook all their hands and seemed to be thanking them. They did likewise, but Max had a feeling they were doing it to part ways forever. The sadness of the pageant hit him all over again. So, he continued on his way for a few more minutes while thinking over and over about chasing after Miss Murphy just to say Hello, or Good-bye.

He took a wild chance and ran after her. Sometimes she waited for the bus at the bottom of the hill and maybe she would today. Just like he wished there she was waiting, sitting on a bench and wearing a mini-skirt, too. So she wouldn’t be working for the Mother Superior again, he could see that! All her white skin made Max think about those legs rowing hard with him again.

“Miss Murphy…”

She looked up. “Oh…” She changed from a surprised face to a happy one. “Well, Hello, there, Max. What are you doing here?”

He wanted to touch her or kiss her, it felt so good to be near her again, but neither of them did anything. “I’m getting some stuff for my mother and I saw you talking to the Mother Superior.”

“Yes.” She looked down at his shoes and pants and made an angry face. “But, how come you’re such a mess? Your shirt’s not even tucked in right.” Then she smiled. “Come on over here.”