by Beth Rinyu
I took their coats, hung them in the closet, and then walked Ryan into the living room. Polar Express was on my TV. “Cool, I love this movie,” Ryan said as he sat down on the couch, instantly becoming engrossed in the movie.
“Do you want something to drink?” I asked the two of them.
“Okay,” Ryan said, while Dailan declined.
I signaled for Dailan to follow me into the kitchen. “Taste my cooking,” I said, feeding him a spoonful of my sauce.
“I’ve had better,” he joked as he pulled me to him and kissed me on the forehead. I quickly looked over to Ryan to make sure he wasn’t paying attention.
“Will you relax? He zones out when he’s into a movie,” he said with his arms still wrapped around me.
“Are you hungry?” I asked.
“I’m starving.” He pressed his forehead against mine, allowing me a closer look at his eye.
“Okay, that eye is seriously grossing me out,” I said.
I handed him a glass of juice to bring into Ryan. “Go sit down and watch TV. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”
The pasta was cooked to perfection. I carefully drained it and poured the sauce over top. I smiled at my beautiful creation that was on the big pasta platter, which I had bought several months ago and was using for the very first time tonight. It looked like it belonged on the cover of a cookbook. I walked into the living room to announce that dinner was ready. Ryan was still absorbed in his movie and Dailan looked like he was about to fall asleep.
Once we sat down to dinner, the two of them started to liven up. Ryan began to tell me all about Dailan’s rugby match. It was so apparent how much he looked up to his uncle just by listening to him talk.
“You’re going to work with that black eye?” I asked.
Dailan nodded at me and laughed as if I were ridiculous for asking such a question.
“Well, don’t you have to meet with clients and stuff? What are you going to tell them happened?” I asked.
“I don’t have to tell them anything. Fuck ‘em.”
Ryan gasped and shook his head. “That’s another one that goes on the list, Uncle Dailan.”
Ryan finished his dinner and went back in the living room to finish watching his movie.
“When the hell did my nephew become the curse word police?” Dailan asked.
“I told Ryan to remind you every time you say a word that belongs on the inappropriate list.”
Dailan began to laugh. “Darlin’, don’t you know there’s no hope for me?”
“Somehow, I’m beginning to believe that. It worked for him; he hasn’t said an inappropriate word in months,” I said.
“You’re emasculating my nephew.” He laughed.
“I am not. It’s not nice for a young boy or a grown man to be using those words.”
“So would it be more appropriate to say, ‘I’m banging the teacher,’ instead of ‘I’m fucking the teacher’?”
I looked at him with disgust. “Why do you have to be so vulgar?”
“Okay, how about this: I’m having sexual relations with the teacher?”
I tried my best not to laugh, but I couldn’t hold it anymore. “Keep it up and I’ll make both your eyes match!”
I got up from the table and began to clear the dishes. Dailan was trying his best to help me, but I could tell that he clearly wasn’t comfortable in the kitchen. I told him to go sit down about a million times but he refused. So instead, he kept me entertained with his sarcastic comments as I loaded the dishwasher.
“Hey Uncle Dailan, this is Miss Morgan’s brother, he’s a soldier,” Ryan said as he walked into the kitchen with the picture of me and my brother. I smiled at how impressed Ryan still was over that picture and the fact that my brother was in the military. My smile soon turned to panic when I realized Dailan thought my brother was my boyfriend. Oh shit, another thing he’s never going to let me live down. Maybe he won’t realize that the guy in the picture is the same one that I introduced him to as my boyfriend that day. He did only have one good eye tonight, after all.
I watched in angst as he examined the picture closely and I could tell immediately by the expression on his face that the one good eye worked perfectly, so I admitted defeat.
“No, I’m not some sicko that dates her brother,” I said. He raised his eyebrow at me, waiting for an explanation. “I lied when I introduced you to him as my boyfriend.”
“Well, I hope so, or I’d say you belong on one of those trashy talk shows,” he said, laughing. I rolled my eyes at him. “So tell me, why did you lie?”
“I don’t know, because I didn’t want you to think that I was really interested in you after how I behaved at the bar that night. So, I figured if you thought that I had a boyfriend, then maybe you would—”
“That I would what? Believe your hokey story that it was really the alcohol and that you really didn’t want to…” I was amazed that he stopped himself before something crass came out of his mouth in front of Ryan.
I nodded.
“Yeah, well it didn’t work.” He laughed.
The rest of the night was spent in front of the TV watching Christmas movies. Ryan and I were shocked that Dailan had never seen A Christmas Story, so we made him sit through it. Ryan fell asleep about a half hour into it.
The movie ended, and Dailan looked over at Ryan. "I better get him home." He moved over to where I was sitting on the couch, taking me totally off guard as he kissed me with great intensity. I was a little reluctant at first, but when I heard Ryan snoring, I knew it was safe. So I kissed him back with the same vigor.
"You better get going," I said as I ran my thumb along his face. Even though my body was screaming for him to take me into the bedroom, I controlled myself. I knew that would be at the top of the inappropriate list, with Ryan just a few feet away.
Dailan must have been thinking the same thing. He quickly stood up from the couch. Even though I scolded myself for thinking this, I was so hoping that he would give me some indication of when I would see him again.
“I have to go to Texas on Monday for three days,” he said.
“Texas? What the heck is in Texas?”
“That Fuck-head Kincaide screwed up the paperwork for one the firm’s major accounts and now it’s got to get fixed before the end of the year or they’ll lose them as a client. It just pisses me off that I’m stuck fixing that jerk-off’s mistake.” When Dailan spoke about him, it was more than his usual crass tone; there was a sound of pure loathing for this man in his voice. It was apparent from that night at the Christmas party.
I stood up and he took my face in his hands. “I promise I won’t be droppin’ my phone in anymore toilets,” he said as he kissed me gently on the forehead.
I was hoping that meant I would be hearing from him, but I wasn’t quite sure; he was always so vague. I instantly began to sympathize with Ryan’s Aunt Lisa when she said he didn’t know how to communicate. Why did I even care anyway? This was just supposed to be a casual thing.
I was impressed at how he had gotten Ryan’s coat, hat, and gloves on without ever waking him. He easily picked him up and walked to the door, while Ryan remained sound asleep, draped over his shoulder.
“Thanks for dinner,” he said, sounding so sincere.
“You’re welcome.”
“I’ll talk to you this week.” He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.
“Have a safe trip.”
“Don’t fuckin’ remind me.”
I opened the door as he repositioned Ryan to his other shoulder. I waited until he was down the stairs and in his car before I shut off the light and closed my door. It was bitter cold outside and there was nothing that I had wished for more than for Dailan to be in my bed, keeping me warm. Must stop with these crazy thoughts, I said to myself as I locked the door behind me.
Chapter 21
It was the last day of school before Christmas break. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. The kids were bouncing off the walls during our class Christ
mas party. Of course, our lead room mom, Mrs. Aymes, was there being obnoxious as usual and going out of her way to ignore me. I just killed her with kindness, not falling into her trap.
I tried my best not to think of Dailan. It was easier than I thought. I had been super busy this week, preparing for this party and doing last minute Christmas shopping. I did get one text from him that said, “hi, beautiful.” He didn’t tell me exactly what day he would be home, but if my calculations were right, it would be tomorrow.
I looked over at Ryan sitting alone; all of the other children had a parent or grandparent here with them joining in on the festivities. I walked over to his desk where he was quietly coloring his Christmas tree and eating a cookie.
“Your Christmas tree came out awesome, Ryan!” I sat down in the empty desk next to him.
“Thanks,” he said, never lifting his head up.
“So your Aunt Lisa couldn’t make it?”
“No, she couldn’t leave work.”
“Oh, well, I’m sure she would much rather be here with you than working.”
“I guess,” he said.
“Well, just think, tomorrow Santa will be here!” I said in an effort to cheer him up.
“Yeah,” he said, still not showing much enthusiasm.
“What’s wrong, Ryan?”
He shook his head like he didn’t want to answer, and I could tell that he was about to cry. I quickly took him into the hallway, letting the other room mom know where I was going along the way.
“Do you want to talk about something?” I asked, once we reached the hallway.
He nodded as the tears began to fall, “I wish my mommy was here.”
“Oh Ryan, it’s okay,” I said, giving him a hug.
Valerie was walking down the hall, paying each of the classes a visit. She came rushing over when she saw Ryan crying. Ryan tried quickly to wipe away the tears.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. Ryan nodded as he looked down at the ground.
“Miss Morgan, why don’t you and Ryan go down to my office and talk? I’ll watch your class for you,” Valerie said, giving Ryan a sympathetic smile.
“Thanks,” I whispered to Valerie as Ryan and I made our way down to Valerie’s office.
“Am I in trouble?” Ryan asked as he took a seat in Valerie’s office.
“No, Mrs. Kane just thought you would be more comfortable talking in her office instead of the hallway.”
“Oh,” he said.
“Do you ever talk to Mrs. Brewer about how you’re feeling?” Mrs. Brewer was the school guidance counselor. Ryan had been seeing her once a week at lunchtime.
“Sometimes, but most of the time we play games.”
“Well, maybe you should start telling her about everything that makes you sad. She’s a really good listener.”
He shrugged his shoulders and looked like his mind was a million miles away. “Miss Morgan?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you come and see me for Christmas?”
“Oh, sweetie, I don’t think so. I’m sure you have plans with your family.”
He shook his head quickly. “No, I’m staying with my Aunt Lisa for Christmas Eve and then my Uncle for Christmas. So you could just come over, I think my uncle likes you a lot,” he said.
“We’ll see what happens, Ryan.” I didn’t want to get his hopes up, but at the same time, I didn’t want him feeling any worse than he already was.
He forced a smile. “Well, I’m going to tell Santa that’s what I want for Christmas, more than anything.”
“What’s that, Ryan?” I asked in confusion.
“For you to spend Christmas with me and my uncle.” He smiled.
I smiled back at him and messed up his hair. “Are you ready to go back before all the good cookies are gone?” I asked.
“Yup,” he said, much happier than when we had first arrived at Valerie’s office.
* * *
I curled up on my couch under my warm fuzzy blanket. Seven o’clock on Christmas Eve and I was already in my sweats and watching TV. What an exciting life I led. I was flicking through the channels, trying to find something funny to lighten my mood. I became annoyed at the ringing of my cell phone. I was so comfortable and I didn’t feel like getting up to get it from my purse. I knew that it was probably Donna calling for the hundredth time to make sure I wasn’t suicidal with spending the holidays alone. She was in New York, spending Christmas with Michael’s family. I reluctantly got up to answer it and fumbled through my purse to find it. The butterflies unleashed in my stomach when I looked down and saw Dailan’s name.
“Hey,” I answered, trying to contain my excitement.
“Merry Christmas,” he said. “Are you at your parents’?”
“Oh no, they actually were going away this year.”
“Oh, you’re home?” he asked, sounding surprised.
“Yup, already in my sweats and ready for bed.”
“Well, how long will it take you to get ready?” he asked.
“Ready for what?
“I’m meeting my friend Tommy and his new girlfriend at the Irish pub up the street from you. You want to go?”
I looked at the warm fuzzy blanket on the couch and then imagined Dailan’s sexy smile. Hmmm, what should I do?
“Twenty minutes,” I blurted out.
Twenty minutes to Dailan was more like forty-five, so I had plenty of time to get ready. I changed into my skinny jeans, wearing my warm black boots overtop. After trying on five different tops, I finally decided on my red boucle knit turtleneck sweater. I jumped off the couch at the sound of the doorbell. When I opened up the door, I was instantly happy with my choice of Dailan over my warm fuzzy blanket. He looked absolutely adorable; his eye was healing and was now a light shade of purple. He had on a grey button-up shirt untucked over his jeans and a black ski jacket that looked just like the one Ryan wore, but in a bigger size. He smiled and my stomach flipped. He moved closer and wrapped his arms around me tightly as he pressed his mouth against mine, parting my lips with his tongue. He ran his hands up my shirt and was starting to unhook my bra.
“Wait, wait, wait,” I said as I released my lips from his. “I thought we were leaving.”
“We will, in a little bit,” he said as he kissed my neck.
“Mr. O’Maley, let’s save that for later, if you’re a good boy, that is,” I joked.
“You’re killing me, Nicole.”
“Remember, patience makes the outcome so much better,” I teased.
I grabbed my coat and gloves and we headed out the door. Dailan walked over to the passenger’s side of his car to get the door for me.
“Let’s walk,” I said.
He looked at me strangely. “Are you nuts? It’s freezing out!”
“I love going for walks in the winter. Okay, maybe it is a little crazy, but I do,” I said.
He was still looking at me with hesitation. “Zip up your coat, put on your gloves, and stop being a wimp.”
He rolled his eyes at me and closed the car door. “If I die of hypothermia, make sure you tell everyone it was your fault.”
I zipped his coat up for him, much like I would do for one of my students, and kissed him lightly on the lips. “You’ll be fine.”
“You just love to torture me, don’t you?”
“No, if anything, I’m helping you.”
“How are you helping me?” he asked in confusion.
“Think of this as a cold shower,” I said, unable to contain my laughter.
“You’re just wrong.” He put his arm around me and we began our short walk down the street.
Chapter 22
The walk to the pub allowed me time to talk to Dailan about what happened with Ryan yesterday. I could tell that it pained him to listen, especially since it brought up memories of his brother. I felt bad for even bringing it up, but I felt that it was important for him to know.
“Dailan, he just needs someone to talk to about it. He’s still real
ly upset and it’s not good for him to keep it all inside.” Dailan became quiet and nodded. I stopped walking for a second and took his hands in mine. “It’s okay to be upset, Dailan, and it’s okay to talk about it.” I wanted him to know that I would be there to listen if he ever needed me to. I stood on my tippy toes and kissed him on the lips. “So, have you turned into an icicle yet?” I asked, trying to change the subject and lighten the mood.
“No, and your whole cold shower theory – it’s not working.” I was happy when I saw that crooked smile of his appear on his face once again.
We walked into the pub and he led me over to where his friend Tommy and his girlfriend were sitting. “Nicole, this is Tommy and Rhonda,” Dailan said. I shook hands with the blond-haired man whom I vaguely remembered from the awkward night that Dailan and I had first met.
“Ah, Nicole, it’s really nice to meet you,” Tommy said with a smile.
His girlfriend Rhonda, who was hanging all over him, took a break from kissing his neck to look up and smile at me. “Hi, Nicole,” she said.
I gave her a smile back and said hello, right before she grabbed Tommy by the face and kissed him on the lips. Get a room, I thought to myself. I took a seat on the other side of Dailan as the two of them continued putting on a show for everyone in the bar.
“I think those two should go step outside in the cold for a while,” I joked.
Dailan turned around and looked at Tommy. “What the hell, Tommy, why did you even bother coming out if you’re just going to sit here and make out all night?”
Rhonda shot Dailan a dirty look as she wrapped her arms around Tommy’s neck. “Babe, let’s dance,” she said, pulling Tommy off the barstool and onto the dance floor.
I was trying not to rush judgment on her. I could get past all the tattoos, piercings, and the fact that she wasn’t afraid to show her affection for others in a very public forum. The thing that I couldn’t get past was when she called him “babe.” For some reason, that term of endearment annoyed me to no end.
While Tommy and Rhonda were out on the dance floor groping each other, Dailan and I sat and had a beer. Dailan quickly looked over at the two of them and shook his head. “He falls in love so quick,” he joked. “I don’t even bother getting to know them anymore because chances are, he’ll have a new one next week.”
