“Now, I’m the teacher.”
“Right.”
“Different time, different place.”
“I didn’t realize you were a teacher,” he said.
“We didn’t talk much about our work.”
He ran a hand down the back of his neck. “I guess we didn’t.”
“Did you have a concern?”
He looked through the little window on the door of my classroom. “Mollie, she’s had a hard time adjusting to school this year.”
“Oh?”
“She’s shy, but also, unhappy. It didn’t help that Mrs. Jones left, and Mrs. Layton, the temporary substitute was hard on Mollie.”
“Hard?”
“She wasn’t very understanding of her shyness.” He sighed. “Look, I know everyone thinks I’m overprotective, and maybe I am, but Mollie is unhappy here.”
I wanted to touch him because I could see how much it pained him that his daughter was unhappy.
“She needs a teacher who knows kids.” There was a look in his eyes that made me think he didn’t believe I was up to the challenge.
“I may be inexperienced in private activities, but I can assure you, I know children and how to teach them. Speaking of which, I need to get back to them.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you, I just—”
“I’ll observe Mollie today and let you know my thoughts on how to help her adjust.” I wondered if Will was overstating things because the previous teachers would have likely done the same thing. But I’d say it and do it if it lessened Will’s concerns.
He nodded. “Thank you.”
“I’ve got to get to class.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll see you…around.” His words were a reminder that our tryst was a one-time thing. Now we were back to just being neighbors.
I went into my classroom and for a moment studied my students. They were listening to Ms. Hatcher reading a story about a train. Some sat still, totally enthralled by the story. Others were listening but fidgeting. Mollie sat on the edge of the carpet, listening, but I wasn’t sure she was completely hearing the story. She seemed to have a far-off sad look.
I approached the carpet area. Ms. Hatcher finished the book and then stood, and I took her place.
“Thank you, Ms. Hatcher. Wasn’t that a fun story?” I asked the kids as I sat down.
Most of the kids nodded. One called out, “I liked the cow in the cow catcher.”
“That was funny.” I agreed. “Today, because we’re just getting to know each other, I want to do an art activity that will help me learn about you.” I reached over to my desk and picked up a large piece of colored paper. “This is a picture of me, and you can see around it I have other pictures of things about me.” I pointed to a picture of Illinois. “This is where I’m from. It’s the state of Illinois. And this is a picture of macaroni and cheese, which is my favorite food.”
“I love macaroni and cheese,” another child called out.
“Who doesn’t, right?”
The kids nodded.
“So, what I want each of you to do, is make a picture like this that tells me something about you. You can put your family and pets. You can make things that you like or like to do. Anything that tells me who you are. Ms. Hatcher has set out paper and art supplies at your tables. I also included some magazines if you’d like to cut out pictures instead of drawing them like I did here.” I pointed to the picture of a bowl of mac and cheese. “If you need help cutting, let me or Ms. Hatcher know, okay.”
The kids nodded.
“Okay so let’s start with the table back there near the cubbies. If that’s your table, please stand and go to your seat.” I did this for each table until the kids were seated and working. “Ms. Hatcher, perhaps you can make one too.”
She looked at me a little startled.
“If we’re going to be partners in this, we should know each other.”
Her features softened slightly and she nodded, as she joined a group of kids at one of the tables.
I let them work long enough to make progress, but when I sensed restlessness, I called them to attention, and had them, table by table, bring their pictures to the story rug again.
I sat in the chair and looked out over the bright faces. Mollie was still looking a bit forlorn, but she’d made a picture.
“Now, when I call you up, I want you to tell all of us about you and your picture.”
Hands shot up. “Me, I want to go first,” several students called out.
One by one, I had them come up and talk about their picture. Mollie watched, and I had the sense she wanted to share her picture, but she never raised her hand to be next. Finally, I just called on her.
“Mollie, how about you?”
She looked at me a little bit like a deer with its eyes caught in the headlights.
I nodded. “Can you show us your picture?”
She stood and came to stand next to me holding her picture up, but not saying anything.
“What’s this?” I asked pointing to a couple on the paper.
“Gammy and Poppy.” Again, she spoke so softly, I barely heard her.
“That’s your grandma and grandpa?” I asked.
She nodded.
“And this person?”
“My daddy.”
“Mollie doesn’t have a mommy,” a child called out. It seemed like it was said more as a matter of fact than out of meanness. Still, Mollie stiffened next to me.
“What’s he doing?” I asked, ignoring the comment.
“He works on the ‘puter.”
I remembered Angela asking him about his work and his response that he worked from home in marketing. It seemed like the ideal situation so he could be available for Mollie.
“And this?” I pointed to a picture of a round item.
“Pie.” Mollie leaned against me. “I made pie with my gammy.”
I smiled. “I like pie. What kind is it?”
“Cherry.”
Inwardly, I snorted and wondered if cherries would now forever make me think of Will and the weekend he popped mine.
“This is the pool where I live.” Mollie surprised me by speaking without being asked.
“Do you like the pool?”
“I want to be a mermaid.”
I smiled.
“Mermaids live in the ocean.” Another child called out.
Mollie looked at me. “I don’t like the ocean.”
“I don’t see why mermaids can’t live in a pool. It’s water, isn’t it?”
Mollie’s lips quirked up slightly.
The rest of the day I worked to stick to the students’ regular schedule, but I knew I’d probably change it up, even if it took a while.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted, but very pleased and happy. After I got my group of kids on the bus and Mrs. Hatcher got her group to the parent pick up loop after school, we cleaned up the classroom for tomorrow.
“Thank you so much for your help today, Ms. Hatcher. I feel like it went well, but perhaps you have some insight for me?”
Her eyes narrowed as if I was speaking a foreign language. “It went just fine.” She paused for a moment. “I am paid. I’m not a volunteer. You don’t need to thank me.”
That took me off guard. “Just because someone is paid doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be appreciated.”
“No one has ever included me in activities. Or thanked me,” Ms. Hatcher said as she got ready to leave.
“As I see it, we’re in this together.”
She smiled, the first real one I’d seen from her all day. “It’s nice to feel appreciated. And you did a wonderful job. I’ve never seen Mollie Mathers smile before. And Joey Wallace has never been so well-behaved.”
“Thank you.”
She nodded and headed out the door. I was packing my bag getting ready to leave myself when Mrs. Snyder came into the classroom.
“How did everything go today?”
“Very well,” I said.
“I noticed you talking to Mr. Mathers this morning. What was that about?”
Oh god, could she tell that I’d been naked most of the weekend with him? “He was sharing some concerns he had about Mollie.”
“Yes. He’s an attentive father, but a little overprotective.”
“Mollie does seem withdrawn in class.”
“Sometimes children carry the fears and worries of their parents. He’s a good parent considering—”
“Considering?” What the heck did that mean?
“Well, he was quite young when he became a single father. He’s built his life around her, which is admirable. But perhaps it’s too much? He’s still young and hopefully, he’ll find a better woman and marry her.”
I frowned. Did she really think Will needed to marry for Mollie to have a better life? What did she mean by ‘better’? What was Mollie’s mother like? “I don’t know their family history.”
“Mollie’s parents were never married, but I believe her father would have married her mother if she hadn’t run off. Apparently, she relinquished her rights, wanting nothing to do with either of them.”
Ouch. No wonder Will was so against commitment.
“But a little girl needs a mother. Maybe not at this age, but as she gets older.”
“It sounded like she’s close to her grandmother.”
Mrs. Snyder nodded. “Yes, but that’s not really a mother, is it?”
It sounded old fashioned to me, but I nodded.
“Well, I’m glad it went well.”
“Yes. It was a great day.”
When Mrs. Snyder left, I finished packing up my things and headed home. I wondered what Mollie told Will about her day at school. While she probably wouldn’t gush about her day, I did get the sense that she enjoyed it.
As I approached my condo door, I saw a paper hanging on it. I studied it and laughed. On it was a picture of a man, a little girl, the ocean, and cherries. There was also a note, “We’re having mac and cheese. Want to join us?”
He was inviting me over for dinner. I didn’t know what to make of that. Because he’d made a picture similar to the one I’d had Mollie make, I decided he just wanted to thank me that she’d had a good day. That’s all it could be, because, for one, Will was clear he wasn’t into relationships, and two, the school policy was that I could be fired for seeing a student’s parent. It’s possible a friendly dinner was out of bounds too.
“So, you going to come?”
I whipped around to Will’s voice. He was standing in his doorway and my body went into overdrive with desire. He looked so sexy in his jeans, white t-shirt, and bare feet. His hair was wet, which I imagined meant he and Mollie had been swimming.
Around his legs, a little head peeked around. “Is she coming?” her soft voice asked.
He quirked a brow.
“Let me put my things down and I’ll be right over.”
They both smiled, and new longing filled my heart. A desire to be a part of their little unit.
Chapter 6
Will
This was probably a mistake, but anyone who could make my child smile while talking about school, after she’d been so miserable, deserved a little thank you. What made it not a good idea was how much I continued to crave Ellie. It didn’t make sense. Even Mollie’s mother hadn’t filled up so much space in my head as Ellie did. I dreamt of going down on her last night, something she never did let me do. I jacked off to the image of her riding me while I was in the shower when I woke to a raging hardon from the dream.
To see her outside of Mollie’s classroom confused me, partly because my first thought was wanting to see her naked. Not a good thought when taking your kid to school. But also, I didn’t know she was going to be Mollie’s new teacher. It highlighted just how much we didn’t talk about anything significant despite the fact we’d spent the weekend together. I usually preferred that when I was with a woman. There was no future, so there was no reason to learn about each other beyond the basics, such as ‘do you like it when I suck your tits’. But now, I wished I’d gotten to know more about Ellie. And at that thought, the warning bell that said I was thinking too much about this woman went off in my head again.
“Daddy, do you think mermaids can live in pools?” Mollie asked me when I picked her up from school. I’d been hoping to catch a glimpse of Ellie then, but Ms. Hatcher had done the parent-pick-up duty.
“I don’t know.” I drove the few miles to our condo.
“Ms. Webb said they could because it has water too.”
As I parked the car, I looked at Mollie. Her face was lighter and her eyes brighter than normal after a day at school. “That makes total sense. Especially since you love the pool and I’m certain you’re at least part mermaid.”
“Daddy.” She laughed, and the sound of it was the most glorious thing in the world.
I’d been scared shitless when Tiffany told me she was pregnant. Even more scared when Mollie was barely home from the hospital and Tiffany walked out, leaving the signed papers that gave me full custody and rights. It had thrown me because I’d been considering asking Tiffany to marry me, not out of love because that was gone by then. No, my intention to marry her was to do right by her and Mollie.
I’d had a good upbringing and supportive family, but I hadn’t ever thought about love and marriage and kids until then. I was just about to graduate from college. But once Mollie was in my arms, it was like she’d been my future the whole time. My life was hers, and I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy. So, it was really frustrating that her last teacher and the principal patronized me regarding Mollie’s complete misery at school.
When Mollie showed me her picture today, I knew I had to thank Ellie, because, for the first time since Mollie had started kindergarten back in September, I’d seen her be excited about school. So, I drew my own picture and taped it to her door. I considered not adding the cherries because…well, she was my kid’s teacher now. But in the end, I thought she might get a laugh, which she did.
“I hope you like mac and cheese.” I winked at Ellie as I let her in.
“She does daddy, I told you.” Mollie stood next to me.
“I love mac and cheese.” Ellie squatted down to Mollie’s height. “Thank you for remembering and inviting me to dinner.”
Mollie blushed. “Welcome.” Then she hid her face in my leg.
“Dinner is ready if you are. I slaved all afternoon.” I nodded toward the boxes of macaroni and cheese on my kitchen counter.
“It does take a special talent to mix up mac and cheese.”
The next bit of amazement was how much more talkative Mollie was during dinner. She was always open with me but would clam up when others were around. The fact that she chatted with Ellie was a new thing. For a time, I could only stare at her Ellie in awe. She looked at me and raised a brow, an indication that perhaps I was gawking.
After dinner, Mollie took Ellie to her room to show her all her mermaid items while I did the dishes. Ellie offered to help, but I was so glad that Mollie was opening up that I didn’t want it to stop. When I was finished cleaning up, we all played a game, which Ellie won. I was surprised she didn’t let Mollie win, but I was touched when Mollie gave her a hug to congratulate her.
“Time to get ready for bed little bug.” I put the lid on the game box.
“Aww…Just a little longer?” Mollie clasped her hands together in a prayer position.
“It’s a school night. Go get your jammies on and brush your teeth.”
She pouted, and I hated it when she looked so sad. I suspected she knew it as she often used it to try and get her way. I looked at Ellie instead.
“That’s my cue to go,” she said.
“Actually, can you wait?” A strange desperation came over me. Like Mollie, I wasn’t ready for the evening to end. “I’d like to talk with you for a minute before you go.”
“Sure.”
“You can wait on the balcony if you like. It’s nice out th
ere tonight.”
She nodded and I watched as she made her way outside. Then I went to check on Mollie.
“I like Ms. Webb, daddy.” Mollie was tucked into her mermaid sheets with her mermaid doll in her arm.
“I could tell. I hope school is more fun for you now.”
“Billy told the whole class I don’t have a mommy.”
Billy was an asshole, or whatever the five-year-old equivalent of asshole was. “Honey, you have a mommy, she just isn’t here.” I wish I knew how to explain this to her especially since she seemed to take it so personally. Like there was something wrong with her that made Tiffany leave. The truth was, Tiffany was a selfish bitch. Mollie deserved better.
“Do you think I could get a new mommy? I like Ms. Webb.”
I nearly choked. I decided to change the subject, a trick my mother called redirection. “Maybe we can take Ms. Webb for a picnic sometime. You like picnics too, don’t you?”
Mollie nodded and yawned.
“I love you.”
“Love you, daddy.” She turned over hugging her doll to her.
I closed her door and picked up the monitor from the living room as I headed out on the balcony. Yes, Mollie was five, but I still had to be able to hear her. I set the monitor on the little patio table.
“She’s all set?” Ellie asked standing at the rail looking over the ocean.
“Yep.”
She nodded toward the monitor. “Does she get up a lot or sleepwalk?”
I could feel the heat of embarrassment on my cheeks. “No. I’m just a cautious parent.”
Ellie smiled and it made my heart stop. “There’s nothing wrong with loving and protecting your child.”
I stepped closer to her, wanting desperately to kiss her. It was maddening just how much I needed to touch her. A part of me said to send her home, but the ache in my body wouldn’t let me.
“Thank you for coming tonight, and for making her happy.”
“My pleasure.” A soft pink blush rose to her cheeks and I wondered if she was thinking of the pleasure I’d given her over the weekend. She cleared her throat and looked out over the water again for a moment before turning her attention back to me. “She’s shy, but with a little coaxing and patience did well today.”
Blind Date: Single Dad-Baby Romance Page 4
