by Beth Rinyu
“Hello.” I tried my best to hide my surprise of seeing her and not Dailan.
“Hi. I’m sorry if I’m late, his uncle is stuck in Boston and called me at the last minute to let me know,” she said. “So typical,” she muttered under her breath.
“Am I staying at your house again, Aunt Lisa?” Ryan asked as he began to pack up his stuff.
“Yupper, kiddo,” she answered.
“Has he handed in everything that he’s needed to so far for the week? His uncle had a last minute work emergency and had to leave for Boston Monday morning and he’s been staying with me.”
“No, he’s good,” I said. I was feeling a little better, knowing that maybe Dailan was busy with work and maybe not totally ignoring me.
“Good, because I’m never given much instruction when it comes to that man; of course that would actually require him to communicate,” she said as she shook her head. I gave her an uneasy smile. “I’m sorry to be unloading on you. I just don’t know how he thinks he’s going to do this on his own when he moves back to Dublin. Chasing women, holding down a demanding job, and raising a child on your own isn’t an easy thing. I don’t know what my sister was thinking when she let her husband talk her into giving him custody,” she continued. “Oh God, there I go again,” she said as she stopped herself.
“Well, Ryan finished up his homework and he got a hundred on his spelling test,” I said, trying to change the subject as Ryan smiled widely.
“That is awesome, Ryan,” Lisa said, giving him a high five.
“Miss Morgan, can you hang out with me and my uncle again? That was fun!” Ryan blurted out of nowhere.
I felt my face start to burn and I was hoping that the floor would open up and swallow me as Lisa looked up staring at me intently. “Oh my God! I’m sorry; are you dating Dailan?” she asked, covering her mouth as if she was in shock.
“No, no, no.” I shook my head. “I just went to the tree lighting ceremony with him and Ryan.”
“Yeah, and Uncle Dailan killed her at air hockey.” Ryan smiled.
“Well, you’ve done wonders with Ryan. My husband and I always say what a positive influence you are on him.”
“Well, thanks, Ryan is a great kid,” I said.
Ryan was out the door as Lisa followed behind. She was halfway out the door as well when she poked her head back in. “Now, if you could just work your wonders on Dailan, that would be even better.” She raised her eyebrows and gave me a quick smile.
* * *
Thursday was my day for bus duty, which meant I would have to stand outside and wait for all the second-graders to get off the bus and line them up according to class. It had been complete chaos the first few weeks of school. But now, a few months into it, I had it down to a science.
“You do such a good job at this, the other second grade teachers may volunteer you do it every day,” Valerie, the school principal, joked. Valerie and I had become very close over the few short months that I had been employed at Pineview Elementary. She was always so supportive and such a positive mentor. I knew that she had played a big part in my employment and I was very grateful for that.
“Oh boy, let me see what’s going on over there?” Valerie said upon seeing a group of fifth-graders hovering around, looking like they were up to something. I had most of the second-graders lined up and was just waiting for the last bus to unload. I watched as Ryan made his way down the steps of the bus, greeting me with a huge smile. I smiled back, unable to resist his adorable dimples. I quickly looked behind him to see Cameron Aymes, another student of mine, whispering to another child and laughing, right before he pushed Ryan down the steps, causing him to fall face down on the concrete. I rushed over to help Ryan, but before I could get to him, Cameron kicked him in the back. Ryan quickly got up, with blood dripping from his nose and mouth. He took his best shot at Cameron, hitting him square in the face. Valerie came running over to help me break the two of them up. I looked in my pocket for a tissue to place on Ryan’s nose, in order to control the bleeding.
“Oh boy, what happened?” Valerie asked.
I explained to Valerie exactly what I had witnessed and how Cameron initiated the whole thing. “Oh geez, his mother is not going to be happy. I’m dreading this phone call,” she said as she rolled her eyes.
Mrs. Aymes, Cameron’s mom, was the president of the PTA and under the impression that her child could do no wrong, when in fact, her son was now the most misbehaved and mean-spirited child in my class. Every time I would try to address an issue with her, she would blame it on another student or tell me how I could have approached the situation differently as a teacher. I didn’t envy Valerie at all for having to make that phone call.
Valerie called down for one of the other second-grade teachers to come and get the students as she took Cameron into her office. I took Ryan to the nurse’s office to get him cleaned up. I could tell that he was upset and trying his best not to cry in front of the other children. Once we got into to the nurse’s office, his tears began to fall.
“I didn’t start it, Miss Morgan, I swear,” he said, trying to catch his breath. “And now, I’m gonna get in trouble with Mrs. Kane.”
“No, you’re not, Ryan. I saw the whole thing. I know that it wasn’t your fault.” I rubbed his back lightly, trying to get him to calm down, while Mrs. Towner, the school nurse, cleaned him up. Ryan gasped when he saw Valerie enter the nurse’s office.
“Mrs. Kane I didn’t -” He started getting upset again.
“It’s okay, Ryan, you’re not in any trouble,” Valerie said in a gentle tone.
“I just got off the phone with Mrs. Aymes and she wants to meet with us after school,” Valerie said, rolling her eyes.
“Ryan is your uncle at work?” Valerie asked.
“No, he’s still away, I’m staying with my Aunt Lisa,” Ryan answered sweetly.
“Oh, okay, I have to get her in here too. I’m sure she wants to ream everyone out.” Valerie placed her hand on my shoulder and shook her head. “This should be fun,” she said before walking out.
“Are you feeling better?” I asked once I felt like Ryan had calmed down enough. He nodded and stood up, taking my hand in his. I felt sadness looking down at his swollen little lip and bloodstained gloves.
“Thanks, Miss Morgan,” he said, his eyes starting to fill up with tears again.
“No problem,” I said messing up his hair with my free hand as we made our way back to the classroom.
Chapter 17
The last of my students were gone for the day and I slowly made my way down to Valerie’s office, feeling much like a kid who was about to be scolded. But instead of getting in trouble with the principal, it was Mrs. Aymes that I was dreading.
“She’s in there, waiting,” Valerie’s secretary said as she rolled her eyes, having the same opinion of Mrs. Aymes as everyone else did.
I lightly knocked on Valerie’s door before walking in. She was seated at the conference room table across from Mrs. Aymes. I immediately took the seat next to Valerie.
“Hi, Mrs. Aymes, how are you?” I asked, trying to sound as pleasant as possible.
“Not too good, obviously,” she said rather sarcastically.
“Ryan’s Aunt Lisa should be here shortly, but we can begin without her,” Valerie said.
Valerie tactfully began to explain the events that transpired earlier in the day as Mrs. Aymes looked at her in disbelief. “Well, clearly there’s been a mistake. My Cameron knows better.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Aymes, but he did push Ryan, I -,” I stopped mid-sentence as the door to Valerie’s office opened and I found myself looking right into Dailan’s eyes.
I quickly looked away as he took the empty seat across from me. My stomach was in knots. I wasn't quite sure if it was over seeing him for the first time since our booty call or because I was afraid of how he would react to Mrs. Aymes’ superior attitude. Valerie stood up and greeted him with a handshake. Mrs. Aymes and I sat there silently
.
"Go ahead and continue, Nicole," Valerie said.
I cleared my throat and was just about to begin to speak when Mrs. Aymes cut me off. “You know what - I really don’t care to listen to anything she has to say. I know my son better than anyone and I know that this is not his fault,” she said as if she were challenging me.
"But it was his fault, Mrs. Aymes. I witnessed the whole altercation from start to finish and Cameron was the one who initiated it.” I quickly looked over at Dailan, who was typing on his phone, seeming very disinterested in the whole thing.
"Oh well, of course you would say it's the other child's fault when Ryan's involved. Everyone knows that you favor him,” Mrs. Aymes said with her tone growing louder.
"I do not! I give all of my students equal attention. Yes, I spend time with Ryan after school for extra help, but I would do that for any of my students if they needed it.” I watched as Dailan briefly lifted his head from his phone, waiting for Mrs. Aymes’ reaction.
"This is exactly why I didn't want Cameron in this class. She is clearly inexperienced!" Mrs. Aymes said to Valerie.
Dailan finally broke his silence. I bit my lower lip, seeing the look on his face. I knew all too well how crude he could be. I had a feeling Mrs. Aymes was just about to find out as well.
“Oh, because your son is a spoiled brat, it’s Miss Morgan’s fault?”
“Excuse me?” Mrs. Aymes said, looking like her head was about to explode.
“You heard me. I don’t think there’s a need to repeat myself,” he said smugly.
“You know what, you have no business raising a child, just like she has no business teaching!” Mrs. Aymes shouted.
“Oh fuc-”
I didn’t know what else to do, so I kicked Dailan under the table, hoping that it wasn’t obvious to anyone else. I shook my head at him, signaling for him to stop whatever verbal assault he was about to begin on this woman.
“Oh well, no wonder why you finally speak up when I say something about Miss Morgan. Maybe if you worried a little more about what your nephew was up to instead of trying to get in his teacher’s pants, we wouldn’t be having this meeting now,” Mrs. Aymes said.
Dailan looked at her with that sarcastic grin with which I had become very familiar. I held my breath in angst, waiting for what was going to come out of his mouth.
“Don’t be jealous of Miss Morgan, just because no one wants to get in your pants, probably not even your husband,” Dailan said very calmly.
“How dare you speak that way to me?” Mrs. Aymes said, looking like she wanted to rip Dailan’s eyes out.
“Hey, you started it,” Dailan said very matter of fact as he looked down again and started typing away on his phone.
I placed my hands on the side of my head and looked down at the table. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Valerie finally interjected. I had wondered what had taken her so long, and part of me was wondering if she was getting some enjoyment out of this. “Mrs. Aymes, that was uncalled for. Miss Morgan is an excellent teacher and I will not allow you to make vicious accusations like that about her,” Valerie said.
I just wanted to get out of there. I wanted to end this whole thing now, before Dailan opened his big mouth again and said something we would both regret. I glanced over at him and could tell it was taking everything in him to keep his mouth shut.
“You will switch my son out of her class or you’ll be hearing from my attorney,” Mrs. Aymes said as she pointed at Valerie.
“Mrs. Aymes, there are no openings in any of the other classes. Cameron is going to have to work through this and adjust,” Valerie said. I could tell by the tone in Valerie’s voice that she was losing patience with this woman.
“This is absolute nonsense!” Mrs. Aymes stood up and flung her purse over her shoulder.
“Nice to have met you,” Dailan said with an obnoxious smirk. She shot him a dirty look and went storming out of the office. Valerie reluctantly went chasing after her, leaving me and Dailan alone.
I stood up and gathered my papers off the table, trying my best to ignore him. “What are you pissed off about? What, does everyone in this room have their period or something?”
“You couldn’t just shut up; you had to lead her to believe that we’re sleeping together,” I said, finally looking into his eyes.
“Well, we are – aren’t we?” he asked.
“We did once, and it will never happen again!”
“Oh, I see how it is; use me for my body and then cast me aside,” he joked.
“No, that would be you; you’re the one who went MIA all week!” I regretted my words as soon as they came out. The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was bothered by his absence these last few days.
His grin became a mile wide as he ran his hand down the scruff on his face. “Oh, is that why you’re so pissy? Did you miss me, darlin’?”
“No, not at all.”
“Well, I wasn’t ignoring you. I had to go to Boston last minute. I thought Ryan would have told you. I would have liked to have told you myself, but my cell phone fell into a toilet in Logan Airport and I had no intention of fishing it out. I got a new phone when I was there, but I lost all my contacts.”
Even though I tried my hardest, I couldn’t contain my laughter as I imagined the inappropriate words coming out of his mouth in the bathroom that day.
"I was hoping that you would have sent me another one of your dirty messages telling me how you couldn’t wait to have me in your bed again, so I could get your number,” he said with a smirk.
“You’re awful sure of yourself, Mr. O’Maley, aren’t you?”
“Only at things I’m good at, and sex just happens to be one of them.”
I rolled my eyes, trying to disguise that I was in total agreement with him. He stood up like he was getting ready to leave. “Don’t forget, we have a date tomorrow night,” he said.
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“’I’m missing out on front row seats to a hockey game because we have a date – remember? So be over at six o’clock; I’m making dinner.”
“You – making dinner?” I laughed.
“I know how to cook,” he said defensively. “If it makes you feel any better, Ryan will be there. We’re going to decorate the Christmas tree.” I looked at him, not saying a word. “One other thing, I need your number again.”
“Hmmm, let me think about that,” I said with a smile. “If I decide to let you cook me dinner tomorrow, I will text you and let you know, and then you will have my number.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll be hearing from you later,” he said as he moved closer to me, planting a quick kiss on my lips, taking me totally off guard.
“Dailan!” I said as I pushed him away. I couldn’t believe how brazen he was, kissing me right in the principal’s office of all places.
He laughed at my edginess. “See you tomorrow, beautiful,” he said as he walked out the door.
* * *
Donna and I were taking a break from trimming my tree, eating our Chinese food that had just arrived. She had been working the night shift all week and I hadn’t talked to her in days, which meant that we had some serious catching up to do. I filled her in on the week’s events and what had transpired in the principal’s office today.
“Well, I think that was pretty noble of him rushing to your defense in front of the nasty woman.”
“Oh, please, Donna, there is nothing noble about him. He has one thing on his mind.”
“Well, you did enjoy that one thing – didn’t you?” She laughed. I gave her a sarcastic smile and flung a fortune cookie at her. “So are you going out with him again?” she asked.
“I don’t know. He invited me over for dinner tomorrow and the only reason that I’m considering it is because Ryan will be there.”
Donna looked like she was disappointed. “Oh, I guess that would make it kind of hard for another booty call.” She laughed.
“I don’
t do booty calls,” I said as I threw another cookie at her.
After Donna left, I sent Dailan a text, letting him know that I had agreed to come over. I asked him if there was anything he would like me to bring besides Pepto-Bismol. I responded with my usual shake of my head and roll of my eyes when I saw his response.
Just that sexy pair of underwear that you had on the other night.
Chapter 18
The day went by quickly. Cameron Aymes had been more ornery than he normally was. I knew it was probably due to his mother egging him on in her assault against me. I handled it smoothly, even though inside, I was screaming my head off at him.
I arrived home and jumped in the shower. I looked at the week’s worth of laundry piling up, knowing exactly how I would be spending my entire morning tomorrow. I searched through my drawers for a pair of underwear. The only two clean pairs I had were an actual pair of granny panties that I only wore during a certain time of the month and the sexy black ones that I purchased to wear with my dress. I decided to go with the granny panties, even though it wasn't that time of the month. I would never give Dailan the satisfaction of wearing the underwear that he had requested. Not that I had any intention of letting him see what underwear I had on under my jeans; it was just the principle of it all.
I stopped off at the bakery on the way to dinner. The smell of freshly baked sweets as I walked in the door was intoxicating. I was overwhelmed and took forever trying to decide on what to bring for dessert. I wanted to make sure that I picked something good, knowing this may be dinner as well, with Dailan cooking. I finally decided on the chocolate fudge cake with sprinkles, adding an adorable snowman cookie for Ryan to the order.
I looked down at my phone to double check the address that Dailan had texted me. I had learned from Dailan the night of the Christmas tree lighting that he had been staying at his brother’s house while he was here. His brother had willed the house to Ryan when he turned eighteen. For now, it was placed in Dailan’s name until Ryan became of legal age. Since Dailan planned on moving back to Ireland, he would be placing the proceeds from the sale of the house into a college fund for Ryan.
