The Sexy Conversation

Dark, buff male student #1
during 10 minute break in the class:
"Yeah, why don't women want to be called ma'am?"

"Totally. I don't get it," thin, intellectual extreme sport type
student #2. "It's a term of respect." Flicks his pencil
against his cheek and makes the WTF motion.

"Honestly?"
Engage SquirrleyMojo mode.
Teacher steps up,
in front of the two men
in a private gesture.
"Frankly, it has to do with age. How we culturally construct
the meaning of age. You see--"
motions extended hands and fingers
along her frame,
"Inside this body, I am one of you. I am 18.
I am--"
motions to class & others who may or may not be watching,
"one of you."

Smiles. "Just a girl."
The two sexy students grin and look at eachother.

"Also--" Teach feels particularly squirrley,
"It's about power," eyes narrow,
"sexuality, and negotiation." Leans forward.

"Age signifies a loss of sexuality [the ability to reproduce]
and women, who have learned to access power through their sexuality
do not like to be reminded that they are becoming 'othered,'
that they are losing their power to . . . negotiate."

Eyebrows lift. Young men look down. Clearing of throats.
Squirrleymojo grins crookedly. Steps back,
swings arms:
"Sorry guys for that awkward moment--" assumes teacher posture,
"It's just a theory."

Teach feels like an awkward adult who just
explained condoms for the first time.