by C. S Luis
I grinned, knowing it was too late for that because Denise already offered and had delivered. “I doubt anyone knows about that,” I merely said.
I glanced at Claudia and saw jealousy on her face.
God, I’m a fuck up!
“You’d be surprised, John” Michael offered.
“Whatever you think is best, sir,” I just said, trying to see past him at Claudia. He laughed, and I blinked at him.
I wanted to ask what was so funny, but he saw the look on my face and answered: “Look at us. What a big turnaround with you taking orders from me now.”
I blinked and then smiled big. “Yeah, big difference.” But if he only knew what I had to put up with in The Company. I’d gladly trade that for this any day.
“It’s nice to have you back, John,” he said, patting my shoulder. I could see Claudia behind him take a step forward.
“Well, I guess this is goodnight, Miss Belle,” I began, and Michael moved away to allow her in front of me. “Thanks for spending time with me today,” I said. “I hope I didn’t bore you too much.”
“Bore me, Mr. Slater? You can’t. If anything, it was me that was boring,” she softly said, timidly looking down.
I lifted her chin. “That’s a word that will never describe you, Miss Belle,” I tenderly said to her, and she dropped her eyes and then looked up again.
“I appreciate you taking the time to spend it with me. You’re such a good friend to me,” I said. She smiled up at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart.” I came in closer and whispered, “By the way, I’ll find something for you to help me with.”
I winked, and she giggled as I moved to the door and smiled. Michael playfully shook a finger at me. “You shouldn’t encourage her, John.”
“I can’t help it,” I answered, opening the door and staring back at them both.
“Goodnight, Michael, Miss Belle,” I said, smiling big and then disappearing out the door.
14
Claudia
After Mr. Slater left, Michael and I finished cleaning up the kitchen, but I must have been too quiet because Michael stared over at me, and I hadn’t even realized it. I guess I was far too distracted considering what I would plan for Mr. Slater’s birthday. It had to be something big and special, something that would remind him of me.
“Claudia?” Michael’s voice broke my concentration as I slowly looked over at him and blinked.
“You’ve been rinsing that same dish for fifteen minutes now. What’s on your mind? What has you so distracted?” I put the dish in the dishwasher and closed it, wiping at my hands.
“I’m just thinking about what to do for Mr. Slater,” I simply said, standing by the sink and turning off the faucet.
“What do you mean, dear?” I spun around. Had he not heard me? Was he so quick to forget already?
“Michael…his birthday party. We have to do something nice for him, something that will make sure he never forgets us. Something amazing!” I declared.
“Claudia, I’m sure anything you do for him will be amazing. Besides, we still don’t know the date of his birthday.”
“Michael, that doesn’t matter now. We still have to do something for him. He desires it,” I said, rolling my eyes.
God, didn’t he understand how important this was for me? He came to me and put his arm around my shoulder and pulled me beside him.
“Claudia. What is it dear? What’s really troubling you?”
What was wrong with me? Was he now trying to read my mind or expression?
“What do you mean? I just want to make sure we give Mr. Slater an awesome birthday party even if it’s not his birthday. I want him to remember he’s well liked here, that he doesn’t belong anywhere else but here with us,” I firmly said.
“Is that it?” Michael asked.
“Is what it?” I responded stubbornly, pulling away and looking up at him questionably.
“Claudia, are you afraid he’s going to leave us because he thinks he’s not well liked? Honey…”
“Michael, this isn’t about me,” I said. But was it? Why did his words suddenly spark some kind of feeling inside of me?
“I just want him to feel loved here, okay?” I firmly said. Didn’t Michael understand that?
“Claudia, he does. Honey, why wouldn’t he?” I lowered my head, and I thought of the restaurant, the call he’d gotten, and the look on his face. He was trying to hide something from me, but I knew better. And as much as I wanted to believe he would never leave, why did I doubt it? Why did I doubt him?
Michael came over, and I dropped into his arms immediately. He seemed surprise. “I just don’t want him to forget us, Michael. I don’t want him to forget me or to leave me,” I honestly said, which surprised me. I guess I cared far more than I wanted to believe. “Everyone I’ve ever loved has left,” I said, pulling away. “I don’t want him to go.”
He gently pulled me back and looked at me; my eyes had started tearing up. He wiped at the tears that now traced my cheeks.
“Claudia…he’s not leaving us. Okay? He’s not going anywhere. And besides, I’m still here.” He said with a smile. I smiled back and hugged him.
“Oh Michael, I didn’t mean it that way,” I softly whispered. “I love you. Sometimes I think you’re the only one that understands me.”
I felt his hold tighten. “I love you too, sweetheart. Now stop thinking like that. Mr. Slater isn’t going anywhere. And don’t worry, tomorrow I’ll find that information you need, and we’ll plan an awesome party for him!”
I smiled at him as he winked.
“Now, come on; it’s late, and you should be in bed. We have a long day tomorrow.”
I gazed at him in question.
“Well, at least I do. Training Mr. Slater,” he said at my questioning look.
“Training him? What do you mean, Michael?” He smiled at me as we began to walk out of the kitchen; he had his arm around my shoulder and was leading me towards the staircase.
“Well, now that he’s back I thought I’d hand him my position.”
“Your position?” I curiously asked.
“You know…before we hired him the first time. Sort of a temporary principal for when I’m not around just in case I have to be out, of course.”
I blinked and then thought about it considering that it would help keep Mr. Slater here. He’d like the responsibility. He seemed like the kind of person that wanted to stay active; perhaps that’s another reason I feared he would want to leave.
“I think he’d like the responsibility,” Michael said. I guess even Michael was aware of Mr. Slater’s active personality.
“But Michael, what about Mr. Vasquez and Mr. Claypool? Won’t they get jealous? I mean, shouldn’t they be up for the position first?” I asked.
He smiled, “I’m way ahead of you, my dear. I’ve spoken to those two. Of course I wouldn’t just go over them. They had no problem with it. In fact, they don’t even want that kind of responsibility,” Michael said with a grin.
“I honestly can’t blame them,” Michael again said with a smile.
“Well, let’s talk tomorrow and get to bed. I’m gonna put the rest of the things away.”
I nodded and climbed the steps but stopped and turned back around quickly to plant a kiss on Michael’s cheek.
I looked into his eyes. “Thanks, Michael. Thanks for being such a great father,” I whispered and smiled, and he looked surprised and about to tear up.
Then, very slowly, he put a gentle hand on my cheek, “You’re welcome. Goodnight, Claudia,” he said.
“Goodnight Michael,” I said before I darted up the stairs into my room.
I closed the door behind me and stood there in the darkness with my back to the door. I was no longer afraid of the dark, not like before. I looked far into the room towards the window; it was closed, and that’s how it had remained. That’s how I liked it.
I was so in love with the idea Quentin had implanted in me, with the thought of b
eing drifted away into his world. But with Mr. Slater here, I think I could accept the fact that I wouldn’t be a queen or a princess in some strange alien planet. I just wanted to be me. And with Mr. Slater here, I feel I could be happy even after I had lost so much. He gave me a reason to be happy. He gave me the warmth of a family, the support and protection I had felt with my parents.
What was it about him that did that to me? I often wondered what he thought about me. I hoped I wasn’t a bother to him; although, I doubted it the way he was such a gentleman with me. I blushed. I was a mess just thinking of him.
I thought of Michael’s words and felt slightly better; perhaps this was the answer that I needed. If we kept Mr. Slater busy, he’d never leave. Did I just want to believe that? After all, didn’t he have a much more exciting life before? Why would he ever want to stay here in Milton?
But even if he didn’t, I wouldn’t let him go so easily; no I wouldn’t let him leave without me. I smiled. I would be stubborn, and I would get in his car with a bag in hand, and I’d make him take me with him. With time, I would tell Michael where I was. And everything would be wonderful, and everything would be great.
I changed into a pink top and loose pajama pants. After braiding my hair, I climbed into the bed. I hated sleeping with my hair loose because it was always getting tangled like a big knotted mess, and it took me longer to brush it in the morning.
So, that was the plan. I’d get a bag ready, and the moment he dared try to leave, I would follow him and refuse to leave unless he took me with him. Then it was settled, and with that thought, I closed my eyes, thinking of what our adventures would be like once we left Milton together.
I saw us on a boat with Mr. Slater in a white silk shirt and khaki shorts. He looked handsome, even dressed down; he smiled big, folding his lower lip as he manned the deck. He came around to me as I sat on a folded beach chair in a sunflower dress with a floppy hat. The wind was blowing waves, crushing at the side of the boat, but the sun was out, and it was the most beautiful day. It was a perfect day. Mr. Slater sat on a beach chair beside me, and he faced me, holding a glass of white wine.
“Champagne?” He offered. I hesitated at first but then took it. He smiled big and handed me the glass.
I drank, and the bubbles tickled my throat, and the feeling went up to my head quickly. Mr. Slater took the glass from my hand. I looked at him as he put a hand to my cheek.
“I never want this day to end,” I said to him, and he was still smiling in the way that he always does, the way that made me blush and shy away from him.
“It never has to,” he said very slowly and tenderly, touching my lower lip. My lip began to tremble as he came close, his breath now touching my mouth.
“I want to kiss you,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to kiss you.” I blinked. “Do you want me to?” He asked, still smiling back at me in that handsome manner. It made butterflies in my stomach swarm.
I couldn’t move, but slowly, I nodded. His lips spread wider, and I felt his lips touch mine, and his hand was now holding my head to his eager mouth, while his other hand was on my face. I closed my eyes, feeling so confused and wondering if this is what I wanted all along. Our lips pulled apart, and I opened my eyes, but now facing me was Quentin.
“My pet, is this what you want? You’re mine! Don’t you ever forget it! You’re mine!” I pulled away, falling to the ground. I was no longer in the boat but in the halls of Milton. I looked around. I was alone, but was I? I spun around and saw it. I’m not sure what it was. It looked like black tar, something evil coming out of the walls of Milton, coming out of cracks and ceiling.
“Claudia, it’s time! Your destiny awaits; come with me I have so much to show you!” Its voice said.
I screamed as a form began to emerge from the goo.
“My pet!” I heard from somewhere in the school halls.
“Run! Run!” But before I could move, a long arm extended from the blackness and grabbed me. I screamed again, but this time, I sat up in bed and my alarm was going off.
I reached over and turned it off. Then I looked back at the clock, realizing what time it was. I got up, still unable to shake the thought of the nightmare. Why did it feel so real, especially the darkness that I had sensed in Milton and Q’s presence? It was one in the same. It was different; he and this thing were two different things. Q was coming forth to warn me, so it seemed, and that frightened me.
What did it mean or what did it want? Could it be real? And then I blushed, looking into the mirror and recalling Mr. Slater in my dream too. And our kiss…I tried to brush it off, realizing how silly I was to think that. Mr. Slater would never want anything like that with someone like me. Even if he wasn’t much older, what would he ever want with some stupid girl like me that gets herself almost kidnapped by an alien and then…
I stopped. I grabbed my clothes and got dressed. I then unbraided my hair and began to brush it. I looked at myself in the mirror again, questioning why he would ever want me. I hurried down the stairs, looking into the kitchen and finding Michael’s note on the table.
“Michael,” I uttered. “Why?”
I put the omelet in the refrigerator and hurried out of the house, closing and locking the door. I rushed down the sidewalk, and then began to walk down the path. I couldn’t believe he hadn’t woken me up in time for school. I realized a black SUV was driving very slowly right beside me. I tried not to look; although I was very much aware of it and nervous. I peered over and caught sight of the passenger window; it was lowered and from beyond the darkness inside, I saw a white-suited man glaring over at me before the SUV hurried away.
I saw it stop ahead at the stop sign and waited longer than normal. I stopped walking. Was that them? Was it the people that were after Mr. Slater?
“No,” I said, shaking my head and beginning to walk again as the SUV drove away and disappeared down the street from my view. I hurried now, reaching the line of students awaiting the bus just as the bus pulled up in front of us.
I climbed in and found a seat in the very back; the same eyes and whispers welcomed me. I was used to it. I dropped hard on the seat. My mind was still on the man inside the SUV; the suit reminded me of something. And I recalled those eyes, those pale blue eyes mocking me from that clean white suit and red tie when they had first appeared out of Mr. Slater’s office. But why would the Superintendent be in that vehicle and in my neighborhood? It just didn’t make sense.
“You’re seeing things, Claudia,” I whispered to myself, saying it a little too loud. I got glances from those in seats in front of me, but they ignored me. They always did.
Maybe he was going to Milton. Well, that would make sense.
When the bus arrived at school, I hurried out and raced into the building, perhaps ready to scold Michael for leaving me behind. I entered the side of the building nearest to the cafeteria and hurried inside. The hall was crowded. I had a hard time getting through; it was like a sea of students. You’d think the last week of December would be less crowded, but it wasn’t.
I had to take the stairs to the second floor just to get around, so I dashed through the stairwell near the side doors from the parking lot and headed to the second floor. I came out of the stairwell and walked down the long hallway, reaching the other end of the hall where I was finally able to get down the stairs to Michael’s office.
I entered and caught sight of Mrs. Wallace on her phone, and she waved and continued with her call. I walked into the open door of Michael’s office; above, the bell rang as I stood there, finding Mr. Slater seated on one of the seats in front of Michael’s desk. Above, the bell rang again before I could open my mouth to even say a word.
I caught part of the conversation before I had walked in and before the bell had rung. They were discussing Mr. Slater taking Michael’s position as step-in principal.
“Of course, that would mean you would have less responsibility as an assistant principal, for the time being. Their duties are fairly easy anyway,
and you’ve already proven able to handle far more difficult tasks,” Michael was saying to Mr. Slater.
“Well, I don’t want to step on any toes. Do Mr. Vasquez or Mr. Claypool have any say? Shouldn’t you be offering them the position first?” Mr. Slater politely asked.
“I already have, John. They’ve – Claudia, good morning. Is there something you urgently needed?” Michael asked when he caught sight of me coming into his office.
“Michael, I…” I began until I caught sight of Mr. Slater quickly turning towards me with a smile.
“Good morning, Miss Belle. How are you this morning?”
I blushed. The image of him kissing me in the dream kept flashing in my head. I dropped my head biting my lower lip hard and my voice became a soft whisper as I bravely looked over at him.
“Good morning, Mr. Slater,” I said, biting my lip harder.
“Claudia, sweetheart, can it wait?” Michael asked.
“I just wanted to ask about what we talked about, Michael,” I said, glaring at him.
He blinked, realizing what I was talking about. Mr. Slater was still smiling and staring madly over at me. Why did he do that? I felt exposed by his beautiful green eyes, and the dream that kept dancing in my thoughts to mock me over and over again.
“Ah yes, sweetheart, let me finish up here with Mr. Slater, and I’ll come get you when I get a moment, okay?”
I nodded and moved to leave when I heard Mr. Slater say, “Miss Belle.”
I turned slowly, and he was still smiling.
“Would you like to have lunch with Michael and me? If Michael doesn’t mind, of course.”
He looked back at Michael; he smiled and shook his head. “No, of course not,” Michael said.
“How about it?” Mr. Slater asked, grinning big.
I backed away. “I’ll take a rain check,” I simply said, surprising myself and most certainly surprising Mr. Slater who obviously wanted to ask why, but instead, said nothing; maybe because of Michael’s presence. I wasn’t sure.
