A/N: Sorry to take so long to update, it's tough getting computer time around here…anyway, hope you like, please review!!

Rita was having a hard time concentrating in English class. It was her favorite class, but somehow thoughts of Mr. J. kept intruding on her concentration. He was so…interesting.

So much more so than any of the boys in her classes, or even in the senior classes, although Robbie Maxwell was so cute…and so beyond her…he'd never noticed her, not even that awful time that she was barreling around the corner after lunch and she ran smack into him and made him drop his books and sandwich. She had stammered out an apology, but he acted like she was some irritating bug that needed to be brushed off his shoulder, picked up his stuff and never looked back.

Mr. J. would never treat her like that. He seemed genuinely interested in her…and when he touched her cheek…she hadn't wanted to think about it, but now, a day away from that moment, she had to admit—she'd liked it. It was a little act of intimacy, and yes, maybe it was too much for an older man and a teenager, but it made her feel like he thought they were friends, like he could tell her something meaningful instead of just making stupid small talk. Condescending small talk, like what she got from most of her teachers, if and when they bothered to talk to you at all….

***

Rita thought over Mr. J.'s remark about her hair, and she finally asked her mom to leave her some money so she could get her hair cut. Her mom was thrilled; she had been after her to do something with her rather lank, brown locks for a long time, and was only too happy to come up with the cash for a decent style.

"Now, don't get it cut too short, but for God's sake, tell 'em to get it out of your eyes," her mother admonished.

"Ok, ok, don't worry, I'll get something cute…" Rita promised. She wasn't so sure that that would be the result, but it was something to aim for.

The haircut was cute…longish bangs she could do different things with, and layers that made her natural waves come to life around her slim face. Rita couldn't believe the difference as she stared at her reflection in the hair stylist's mirror. A big smile slowly crossed her lips; she wondered what Mr. J. would say.

She hurried home, and excitedly tapped on his door; but no one answered. Disappointed, she went home and called Lynne and got permission to go over to her house to show off her new 'do. Lynne was amazed, and also a little put out.

"Oh, great, now you're going to be little Miss Cutie-Pie and I'll still be dumpy old me," she whined.

"Oh, Lynne, for heaven's sake, you're not dumpy. But a new haircut wouldn't hurt you either, you know. If you want, I'll go with you and help you pick something out…"

"Forget it, Ritzy. I'm perfectly content with my lot in life. I thought you were too—what's gotten into you, lately, anyway?"

Rita didn't answer; she wasn't aware that anything had gotten into her, at least to the point of anyone else noticing…she'd have to pay more attention to how she was acting.

***

Rita stopped at Mr. J.'s door every day that week, but he was never home. She was beginning to wonder if he had moved out overnight, when one afternoon she spied him pulling up in his big black sedan as she returned home from school. She hesitated; on the one hand, she was so nervous at seeing him she wanted to run up to her apartment and slam the door; on the other hand, she couldn't bear to go without at least saying hello to him, now that he was so close. She stayed rooted to her spot by the building's entrance.

Jack was carrying a bag of groceries. His eyes lit up when he saw her; a huge grin stole across his scarred face.

"Well, would you look at this…my little Margie…with a dynamite new haircut, waiting to open the door for me! It's my lucky day….You look gorgeous, beautiful, what are you trying to do, break my heart?" The wind was blowing his long blondish-brown hair around his face in a way that made him look wild and carefree.

Rita thought she would melt into the sidewalk; she rushed to open the door for him, and he flashed another smile at her in thanks.

"Listen, I've got a whole smorgasbord of junk food here, you want a snack?" he asked.

"Uh…ok, sure!" she answered just a tad hesitantly. Her knees felt a little weak.

"All right, come on over…" He propped the bag on one knee while he fished his keys out of his pocket.

"Where you been, Mr. J.?" Rita asked shyly.

"Oh, here and there. Say, did you hear about that explosion across town yesterday? Did they ever say what it was?" he asked, shooting her a look of curiosity as he turned the key in the lock.

"Uh…no, I guess I don't listen to the news enough," she replied. She made a mental note to start listening to the news.

"Umm, pity. I was wondering what it…was." He grinned cheerfully, and headed to the kitchen to unload his grocery bag.

"So, what goes with barbecue chips, white or red?" he mused thoughtfully, holding up first a can of lemon-lime and then a can of strawberry soda.

Rita snickered, and he scrunched up his face as he pondered the difficult decision.

"Well, if you have no opinion, we'll go with red." He handed her the soda can and opened the bag of chips, motioning for her to join him on the couch. He flicked on the TV to a news program, and after a bit, an article came on about the west-side explosion.

"…a storehouse of police munitions was blown up last night. Police investigators still have no leads as to the identity of the perpetrators, and no apparent motive…" intoned the reporter on the scene.

"Tsk, isn't that awful? What kind of a person would do something like that?" Mr. J. asked rhetorically as he munched.

"Yeah…that's, uh, bad." Rita wasn't sure what the significance of the explosion might possibly be, and she certainly couldn't imagine why her host cared one way or the other, but she was glad he thought she was mature enough to have the discussion with her.

"Hey! I just had a thought…" Mr. J. startled her by clapping his hand down on her thigh.

"How would you like to help me out with something?" His hand remained on her thigh, making her quiver.

"Uh…sure, Mr. J. What is it?"

"I've got a ton of stuff I need to take to the recycler's and a bum back; you want to ride over there with me and help me unload? I'll give you part of whatever cash I get for the materials."

She would probably not have sounded so much like a babbling idiot if he hadn't kept his warm hand on her leg; as it was, all she could come up with was "Uh, um, ok…"

"Great! That'll be a big help." He squeezed her thigh approvingly, leaving her in a jelly-like state. He stood up, found a pair of gloves, strode over to his closet and began pulling out boxes full of copper wire, steel cabling and various other metal pieces.

They toted several boxes down to his car, and she hopped into the passenger seat next to him.

"Gosh, Mr. J, what're you doing with all that stuff?" she asked curiously.

"Oh, I have a number of hobbies…electronics, mostly…that scrap just builds up after a while…." He aimed a charming smile at her. They drove to an area on the outskirts of town and pulled into the recycling center's parking area.

Jack pulled the boxes out of his trunk and Rita carried them to the weigh station table; she waited for the man to do his calculations. She looked back at the car and noticed Mr. J was already back in the driver's seat. She went over to him and leaned in the passenger window.

"Don't you want to hear how much money you're getting?" she asked curiously.

"Naw…listen, doll, you were such a big help to me, taking a load off when my poor back is killing me…you just sign the form and keep the money. I don't care how much they give, it's yours." His dark brown eyes were full of gratitude and sincerity.

"Well…I don't feel right about that…" she said uncertainly.

"Trust me, sweetie, I don't need the cash, and you earned it. Go ahead, the guy's ready…"

Rita went back to the attendant and, after signing her name, was given $50.00. She was amazed at the price scrap copper brought, and carefully put the money in her pocket.

"Gosh, Mr. J., he gave me fifty dollars!"

"Excellent…hey, listen, kid, you should spend that dough on some clothes for yourself."

"Really?"

"Yeah, doll—I gotta be honest with you, sweetie, your clothes…they don't fit ya! Too baggy…hard to tell there's a girl under all that fabric…" He waggled the front of her oversized sweat shirt and shook his head as though mystified by her wardrobe.

"Well…maybe I will."

"Sure…pick out some real feminine stuff, you know, stuff that shows off your figure…you'll have the boys at school going nuts for ya."

"Yeah…well, maybe..."

"Oh, yeah. You just need confidence…you gotta believe in yourself. Look at me! Here I am, looking like some kind of freak—these scars, you know—but do I let that stop me from doing what I want to do? NO! I just believe in myself, and I know I can do anything. Right, kid?"

"Right, Mr. J. You…you kind of inspire me…" she said in a shy voice.

He gave a small chuckle.

"Aw, you flatter me, Rita Mae! I'm just tellin' ya the truth. A gorgeous gal like you….Look, it's tough being your age—trust me, I was a mess at seventeen—but things will get better. Maybe I can give you some…tips. You know, for handling high school boys and such. After all, I used to be one!"

"Wow, that'd be great, Mr. J.! I'd really like that!" Rita suddenly felt a surge of optimism; maybe her junior year of high school wouldn't be a total disaster after all.

Jack grinned to himself. This Henry Higgins thing was taking a lot of time. But he had a feeling it was going to be worth it. Very worth it.

Oh, yeah.