Matilda is autistic - br intense and strangely beautiful. br Trapped in her clockwork body, br she talks at the top of her typewriter voice. br br Matilda's eyes are dusty blue. br They flit back and forth like a frantic moth. br Course tangled curls shower her shoulders. br Her rigid hands clutch at the air. br br Matilda is strong. br She frightens the others. br No one wants her for a partner. br She's too fiercely physical. br br But today was different. br She touched the soul of Piazzolla. br With tambourine fluttering and eyes shining, br she lost herself in the pounding bandoleon. br br And when we waved goodbye, br her cheeks were aflame.