Barbara thought Tim was very proud, showing her his home. The room was very sparse, very military. It was okay to her, since it was obviously wonderful to him.
"I like my roommates," Tim said eagerly. "They're nice guys. We're even like brothers sometimes. The four of us. Except Joe. He's kind of mean sometimes. But the three of us jump on him, and then he's okay."
Life in a barracks, Barbara remembered. I know how that is. It may not be perfect, living with strangers. But at least you're not alone. "And Captain Collier is just great. Instructors can't show favorites, but I think I'm his."
Barbara had sensed that. "He seems very nice."
She needed to know if Tim knew about his mother's arrangement for him. He said he did not, so she explained it as simply and briefly as she could.
"We didn't expect this to happen, but it did. I miss your mother very much, too. And your father."
Tim looked at his aunt longingly, and her heart nearly broke. "Mommy told me about him a lot, but I don't remember him."
"He was a very wonderful man. And I can see you're already a lot like him. Not only in how you look, but in many other ways. Especially one. Some day, I'll tell you about that. It's something very special, and you and your father are the only ones I've ever known with it."
"It's how I ride a horse, isn't it!" Tim burst out.
"I know I bounce my butt up and down too much in the saddle!" Barbara laughed and hugged him close again. "I didn't notice. But if you think so, maybe I can give you a tip or two, to refine your riding style. Do you like horseback riding?"
"I love it! I just wish we could ride together, right now!"
Barbara was very glad to learn he felt as she did, and her mother had, about riding.
"As for 'bouncing' in the saddle..."
"Captain Collier says it's called 'posting.'"
"Yes, well, It's about rhythm or timing. When your horse is trotting, you raise and lower yourself in the saddle by 'standing' in the stirrups. Actually, it's not really standing. By applying pressure, squeezing the saddle with the inside of your legs from the knees up through the thighs, you can time the horse's gait. What is happening is, you the rider are up one or two counts and down one or two counts, giving the illusion of a very smooth ride. Maybe the main thing is just relaxing. Ask Captain Collier about it, and then practice it. You'll catch on real fast, I'm sure."