by Naomi Niles
Shirley smiled as she walked closer to me, “Um, I am having a bit of a struggle with the spreadsheet. I am trying to print it out, but I cannot seem to get it to work. It wasn’t as easy as the Word document. I am sorry, but if you don’t mind, can you show me how?”
I was taken back by the fact that she asked me to show her how to do her job. I didn’t expect that at all. “Sure,” I said, humbly, “I will come in and show you. That spreadsheet can be a little tricky at times.”
“Yes, indeed. I’ve been trying ever since you stepped into your office, but I just can’t seem to get the thingamajig to work.”
“Not a problem, Shirley.”
We walked to the computer so I could show her how to print off the spreadsheet. I wished that would have been the last time that I had to show her how to work something on her computer, but I would spend the majority of my morning out there with her, showing her how to work different programs. I could feel the annoyance beginning to erupt inside of me, but I kept my peace, even though I knew that she should’ve known all of this before she got the job. It was about 11 am by the time I was finally able to get to my office and focus on my own work, but by then, I had no desire to do anything.
I thought about calling my HR department to demand another secretary, but I figured I’d give her another day or two to figure things out and then go from there. She seemed like a nice woman, and I didn’t want to give her the boot right away. Once four o’clock came around, I gathered my things so I could head home. Shirley sat at the front desk with her head buried in her computer. “Shirley, I will see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir. And I am sure that tomorrow will run more smoothly than it did today. I apologize for any inconvenience.”
“No, Shirley, it is fine. I am sure that tomorrow will be better than today. Have a good evening.”
“You as well, Gavin.”
When I got home, Vinny sat in the kitchen eating a sandwich. He always made it back home about thirty minutes before I did. He was involved in a number of after school programs that would keep him busy so he wouldn’t spend as much time at home by himself in the afternoons. “Hey, kid. How was school?”
I took a seat next to him as he chewed his afterschool snack. “It was good.”
“Did you give Miss Bethany that note?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Good.” I resisted the urge to text her all day. I figured that a small break in our communication would be a good thing. In the words of Shakespeare, absence makes the heart grow fonder. I wanted to use that to my advantage. “So, how was your day?”
He looked at me with one raised eyebrow.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked with a crescent smile.
“You never really ask me that.”
“Yeah, I know. But, a lot of things have to change between us. I realize that I haven’t been in your life the way I need to be, so now I am conscientiously going to make that change. If that is alright with you.”
“Oh. Um, yeah, Dad. That is fine with me. I don’t mind at all.”
I tapped my fingers across the surface of the table, “So, how was your day?”
“It was good. I got another A on my science test. Ms. Chambers said that I am sure to keep my A in the class if I get at least a B on my next test.”
“Awesome, Vinny! That is awesome. You are a much better student than I ever was. The only time I saw an A on my report card was in gym or art class. I was good at those subjects, but not so much at the others.”
He smiled. “I wonder how you got to become a successful businessman with bad grades in school.”
“Well, son, I didn’t take advantage of my opportunities at a young age like you are doing right now. I didn’t really get myself in gear until I finished high school and made my way to college. I skated by all the way up until then. I can’t imagine where I would be if I applied myself when I was your age. That is why the sky is the limit for you, Vinny. You can be anything you want to be and even eclipse me in the process. I want that for you, and I know you can do it.”
He smiled wide. I knew that I had to spend more quality time with him. He deserved it, and not only that, but I felt like I was missing out on his life because I was too busy living mine. From now on, Vinny was going to be a top priority in my life, no matter what. As we continued our conversation, I got a text message from Bethany. A rush of excitement flooded my heart as I read her message.
Chapter Twelve
BETHANY
Sharon stood near my desk before the school day started. We always had to have our morning chat. Outside of a cup of coffee, it was one of the things that got both of us going for the rest of the day. “Hey, Miss Cindy,” I said as she strolled past. “You lookin’ good today, honey. I bet your husband didn’t want you to leave the house with the way you are dolled up.”
She smiled, patted her hair, then sashayed down the hallway. “That old woman is a mess,” Sharon said as she smiled in her direction. “I hope I can be as lively when I get to be her age.”
“You’re talking like that isn’t a few years away.”
She popped me on my arm, “Girl, hush! I am a lively 36 years old, do you hear me? Miss Cindy got me by at least 10 years. At least.”
“Yeah, but she doesn't look like it.”
“Anyways. How are things with you and your new boo?”
“Gavin? Oh, yeah, things are going good between us. And that reminds me, his son goes here. Vinny. You know, the well-behaved boy? He is kinda chubby.”
“Oh. That’s his son? Wow. I never would’ve guessed it.”
“I know. I was just as surprised as you. We all went bowling the other day, and when I saw him standing on the other side of my door, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me.”
She leaned forward on my desk. “Well, ain’t that something? I guess the stars must have aligned for you two. That is a big coincidence and a load off your shoulders, I know. Because if you didn’t get along with his kid, that may have spelled doom for any hopes of a relationship between you two.”
“Yes, I know. I was happy, though, because so far, things had been going well between us.”
“I see. You’ve come into this school smiling more than you normally do. I knew it had to be that new man of yours. Oh,” she smiled, “did you talk to Derrick yet?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, and I am not. Jesus. I already have enough crazy men in my life; I don’t need to add him to it.” I thought about the truck I saw the other day when I was out with April. I didn’t know what I would do if my ex tried to come back into the picture. He was not the most understanding man, and I wouldn’t want to put Gavin or anybody else in danger. I tried to brush it off, but no matter what, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t have been surprised one bit if he found me out here in Roanoke. “I don’t owe Derrick anything. Maybe you should take him out on a date?”
“Me?” She shook her head. “Hell to the no. Nuh-uh. That man is not my type. Besides, he has his eyes on you and you alone, so anybody else would be sloppy seconds in his eyes.”
Just then, I heard a knock at my door. “Miss Bethany?” I looked to the right. Vinny stood in the doorway with a bright smile on his face. Sharon glanced at him, then turned back towards me.
“It is your stepson,” she whispered.
I shooed her off, “Hey, Vinnie. Good morning. How can I help you?”
He walked up to me and pulled a note out of his pocket, “My Dad wanted me to give this to you.”
The note was intricately folded when he handed it to me. I couldn’t imagine that a young child would have been able to resist reading the note before it was delivered, but the folds look unbothered as I took it from his hand. “He wanted you to pass me a note?”
“Yes, ma’am. He said he thought it would be better this way.”
“Okay.” I looked at my watch. “Well, Vinny, you’ve got a few minutes before the bell rings. You should hurry to class before you’re late.”
I stood up an
d gave him a hug. Sharon smiled as we embraced each other. After we released, he waved goodbye to us, then scurried down the hallway. “Aw, that was so cute! I should’ve snapped a picture!”
“Oh, stop it, girl. You are too much right now.”
“Umhm. Well, I need to get going myself. You have a good day, and I am sure I will see you at lunch.”
“Yes, you will.”
As she left the office, I sat down in my seat and unfolded the note. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face if I tried.
“Dear Bethany,
It has been so long since I’ve written one of these, but I figured that now would be the best time. First, I hope your day is going well. Secondly, both me and Vinny had a great time on our date. I am happy that you two knew each other already. That made things easier for me. However, I would love to take you out again. Just the two of us this time. That is, if you are willing to go out with me again. I truly enjoyed myself. I will give you a call later just to make sure you got my message. Hopefully, there will be some good news attached to that call. I am thinking about you and have been for a few days now. Talk to you soon.”
I smiled, then refolded the letter and placed it in my drawer. It was clear that I would go out on another date with him, and honestly, I would’ve been bothered if he didn’t ask me on another one. Just as I took my phone out to shoot a text message to him, Principal Jones walked into my office. “Bethany, good morning.”
“Good morning, Principal Jones.”
“I have a few things for you to do this morning. They are a bit last minute, so I hope you don’t chew my head off because of it.”
I smiled. “That is not a problem, sir. That is what I am here for.” I stood up and followed him out of my office. For the rest of the morning, I had to set up decorations around the school for a talent show that we had coming up. That, along with my normal work, took up all of my day, and before I knew it, it was time for me to leave the office and head home. I had barely spent more than five minutes alone in my office, but the whole time, Gavin’s name floated around in my mind like a helium balloon. After I left the school, I shot him a text message.
“Sorry for just now responding, but I’ve been so busy today. And you are such a cornball for using a child to deliver your message! BUT, I will overlook that and accept your offer for another date.”
“LOL. So, you’re telling me that I didn’t have to use an innocent little kid to deliver my message for you to say yes to another date?”
“Well – lol – it helped, but no. I would’ve said yes to you with or without the special delivery.”
“Wonderful. Well, I am talking with Vinny about his day. Can I call you later?”
“Sure. I am headed over to my friend April’s house, so just call me tonight once you all are settled. If I am busy, I will give you a call right back.”
“Sounds good.”
I headed to April’s home. Mark’s truck was parked in the driveway when I showed up, but as soon as I got out of the car, he was making his exit from the house. “Oh, my God, Bethany, am I glad you’re here. That woman in there is going crazy! I swear that her head just spun around on top of her shoulders.”
I laughed out loud. “What? What are you talking about?”
“That woman is possessed with something, I swear. She literally got mad at me because of how I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” He stood near his truck with his arms folded over his chest. His jet black hair was frizzed on the top of his head as if he had just risen up off a pillow. His white t-shirt was wrinkled, and his jogging pants sat loosely on his waist. “I don’t know. She got mad because I put the jelly on before the peanut butter. The fucking JELLY before the fucking PEANUT BUTTER. How the fuck do you get mad at that? I didn’t know there was a right or wrong way to make a fucking peanut butter and jelly sandwich! And to make things worse, it was for me! Not her!”
I covered my mouth, trying to hide my laughter, but it was no use. He stood with his arms folded across his chest, shaking his head. “Mark, the woman has a baby inside of her, okay? You know she wasn’t like this before. Little things piss her off. Little things that don’t even make sense. You just have to deal with it for now. I mean, she is carrying your baby, and she is going through a lot of changes. I’m sorry, but you just have to deal with it.”
Moments later, the front door swung open. “Why are you still here, Mark? Can you get some more jelly? You used all of it on your sandwich!”
He shook his head, then climbed inside of his truck, closed the door, and sped off. April stood at the front door, yelling obscenities with an empty jar of jelly in her hand. I walked closer to her and took it away. “April, seriously? You are making a scene over jelly?”
“No. Not just jelly. Is that what he told you? He used a whole gob of jelly and slapped it on his bread right in front of me.”
I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the house, “April. Jesus. Calm down. Did he know that you wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? I think that if he knew, he wouldn’t have used all of it. I don’t think Mark is like that, April.”
She stormed back into the kitchen and slammed a few cabinet doors before she slowed her pace. She looked down at the empty jar of jelly, and all of a sudden, tears fell from her eyes. “Damn it, Bethany. Damn it! I yelled at him like a crazy woman over an empty jar of jelly.” She put her hands on the counter as I walked closer to her. I embraced her as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
“It’s okay. You’re pregnant. You get freebies like this. He understands. He has to. You’re carrying his baby. In a way, he made you like this.” As I tried to calm her down, I thought about what things would be like if I had gotten pregnant. I didn’t want to go through the emotional rollercoaster that April was on. After she had settled down, things went back to normal, as if nothing ever happened.
We sat in the front room, and as we flipped through the television channels, I told her about my ex. “I think I saw my ex the other day that we went shopping for your maternity clothes.”
She wrinkled her eyebrows, “Your ex? Like, you think you saw his face? You saw him here?”
I exhaled as we both sat on the couch. “No, I didn’t see his face, but I know what kind of car he drives. Well, SUV, I should say. It looked just like one of his. Now, I don’t know for sure if it was him, but I haven’t seen any SUV like that here in Roanoke before. It wouldn’t be a big shock if he found me because he has found me before.”
“Did you call the police?”
“And tell them what? That I saw a truck that looks like my ex-boyfriend’s? They would laugh me to shame. I don’t have anything to prove it was him.”
“Damn it, Bethany. Well, listen, I think you need to be more careful now, especially since he could be lurking around here. Maybe even buy a weapon. A real weapon. Not just pepper spray.”
“A gun?”
“Perhaps.”
That was the last thing I wanted in my possession. I was terrified of guns, especially when my ex showed them to me. I didn’t want anything to do with them, even if it meant it could protect me when I needed it most. I just had to trust that what I saw was just an aberration, and if it wasn’t, I was just going to have to go to the police and pray for the best. That was all I could do, and right now, I could only hope that it would be enough.
Chapter Thirteen
GAVIN
I went straight home after work to pick up Vinny. Mike asked us to come over so we could try out some brisket that he was going to cook on his new grill. As soon as I got home, I blew the horn for Vinny to come out of the house. He walked out with his bookbag still on his shoulders. I laughed at him when he got in the car. “What are you bringing your books for? You’ve got work to do?”
“Yeah.” He closed the door behind him. “Mrs. Henderson said that there might be a pop quiz tomorrow, so I just wanted to read over my chapter to make sure I understood everything. I want to make sure I make A-honor roll this year.”
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p; “I see.”
He pulled his seatbelt across his body and right after he snapped it, we drove to Mike’s house. “So, you know I am going out with Miss Bethany this weekend, right?”
“Yeah, I know. I figured that was what the note was about.”
“Oh, really? How did you know?”
“Um, just a guess.” I narrowed my eyes at him. A wide smile jetted across his face, “Dad, I swear I didn’t read the note!” My eyebrows lifted to the middle of my forehead. He exhaled. “Okay, okay. Maybe I read a little tinsy, winsy bit of it, but that’s it. I just wanted to make sure that you didn’t say anything bad in it.”
“Bad? Like what?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I know what Ms. Pope likes, and I know what she doesn’t like.”
We arrived a stop sign. “Oh? And how do you know that?”
“Because I pay attention. I know that she likes flowers. She really likes those. Oh, and chocolate candy. Maybe you should get those things for her before you go out on the date. She likes that kind of stuff.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. I’ve seen flowers on her desk before, and anytime somebody gives her something as a gift, she always smiles when they give her flowers. And she smells them, then puts them on her desk. So, I know that she likes those things.”
I eased my foot onto the gas pedal, then eased through the intersection. “Okay, Vinny. I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice.”
“You’re welcome, Dad.”
We drove a little longer, then parked in front of Mike’s house. The sun was on its way down on the horizon, but it still held onto its yellowish glow before it completely disappeared. “Vinny, I need to ask you something.” He twirled his thumbs as he waited for me to continue. “I know that you like Ms. Pope, but I also know how you feel about your mother. Well, about the possibility of me getting back with your mother. I just want you to know that it will not happen. Now, knowing that, are you completely okay with me seeing Ms. Pope?”
He took a deep breath, then exhaled. His gaze remained fixed on the tree just to our right. I valued what he thought about this situation in particular because I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable or forced into something that he didn’t want to be in. “I know, Dad. I mean, I wanted you two guys to be together, but like you said, we don’t always get what we want in life. So, I am okay with it. I really like Ms. Pope, and if you’re not going to be with mom, then my next vote would be her.”
