Bronze Anniversary

The door swings open and there he is. Mrs. Walker, Natasha, perched on the couch like she’s been counting minutes. She hears him coming in, snaps to, ready to pounce. Mr. Walker strolls in, plants himself beside her, leans in for a kiss. She blocks him with one finger. “Hope you didn’t forget my present.” She grins, eyes glittering. He laughs, tells her tradition’s tradition. Gift’s arriving any second. Her whole face lights up—she wants her special treat, nothing less. The bell rings and both of them light up like kids at Christmas. He leaves to fetch it. Walker's back in moments, trailed by a student of his, Jason, carrying a book bag. Jason says how honored he is to get private tutoring. Walker claps him on the shoulder, says he’s got potential the department shouldn’t waste. Natasha stands up, eyes narrowing with interest, giving him the full once-over like he’s fresh meat on a hook. “You brought me a good one,” she tells her husband, circling slow. Jason catches the vibe, tongue-tied, shifting his weight. They sit, Natasha still sizing him up. She asks him to tell her about himself, and as he stammers through his major and future plans, she doesn’t blink. Walker just sits back, enjoying the show. Jason looks to him for an out, but the professor only smiles. Finally she laughs, drops the bomb with zero ceremony: Jason is the present. Walker nods, making it clear he’ll watch every goddamn second. Tonight’s Jason’s lucky night, and everybody in the room knows exactly what that means.