Through the Window - chapter 2 (youngsters:adventure, 1569 words) [2/2] show all parts
Author: Walt	Added: Apr 23 2013	Views/Reads: 8893/1960	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
In Chapter 2 Jerry begins the adventure with Li

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story


Li was certain she would enjoy none of those wonderful comforts if her
father forced her to marry this Fang Lu monster. All her father could 
tell her about him was that he was a great equestrian who fought the 
bandits in the hill country. He rode at the head of a troop of cavalry. 
Hah, Li thought – who would want to marry such a brute? 

More than once, Li thought she could run away. If she could get to a
city, she could find work keeping house for someone or working in their 
garden. However, she put aside these thoughts when she realized that 
she loved her teacher and must be with him. If they had children, they 
would never force them into an arranged marriage. Never! Cheng believe 
very strongly in the rights of each individual, man or woman. He had 
said so many times in classes. No one should be a slave or a serf. 
Someday, people would revolt from the old ways and begin a new, just 
society where everyone was equal. 

The old teacher was asking her a question, breaking her sad reverie.
Yes, she knew the capital city of England. It was London, she answered. 
Li tried to pay more attention to the class but in her mind, she kept 
thinking about running away from home. Perhaps she should not only run 
away from home, but also run after Cheng. She could ask directions to 
the monastery. Surely when she found her lover, he would forget his 
idea of becoming a monk. After class, she would inquire of the old man 
if he had any details on where instructor Cheng had gone. She wanted to 
write him a thank-you letter, she would say. 

That afternoon, the old teacher led them in a class of tai jiquan and
then told the students they could use the last hour to study on their 
own. He recommended that they consider the moves of the mediation set 
during this hour to settle their minds and reflect on what they had 
learned that day in class. He called it a study period. It was a method 
of teaching his instructor had used and he had found the practice very 
helpful. The old teacher did his tai chi at night, to relax. Li's 
mother and father did their tai jiquan in the morning, saying it 
prepared them for the day. It was just like adults, Li thought – unable 
to make up their minds about the simplest things, like when to do Tai 
Chi. 

The other students were reading quietly to themselves and the old man
seemed to be dozing at his desk. Li looked out the window near her 
desk. She blinked and then rubbed her eyes. She was certain she could 
see someone, standing in a field, beckoning with his hand for her to 
join him. She tiptoed to the window and put her hand out to touch the 
clear glass. Her hand passed right through the glass, as if it was not 
there! She hesitated for only a second and stepped through the window 
into the field beyond. Li grasped the proffered hand and stepped 
through the magical window of time.” 

Jerry glanced at his watch. He had used too much time. He had better
make his conclusion short. 

“The hand she grasped was mine. Anthony Breckenheimer was going on the
trip with her to find teacher Cheng. You can come with us, classmates, 
as long as you are quiet and do not break the spell. Each day, for 11 
more days we will pretend to teleport through a portal into the past. 
The time we spend each day will depend on where the journey takes us – 
even I do not know what lies ahead.” 

Jerry's mouth was dry. He had everyone's attention – even Shingles was
staring at him. “I will end this class with the demonstration of the 
move called ‘Grasp bird's tail'. This move could be a defensive move to 
block an attack by an opponent.” Jerry tried to do the move, and it 
felt as if someone was guiding his body through the easy step left and 
push with hands. 

“If everyone wants to try the move a few times we then can have an open
discussion about arranged marriages. I will ask Mr Shingler to moderate 
the discussion.” 

The class clapped and Jerry Breckenheimer felt six feet tall. 


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