Teach Me Love

by S. Moose

  “I’m fine.” I reach over to her and squeeze her hand. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too but you need to keep trying.”

  I look at her and I’m a little lost. “What do you mean?”

  “You’ll see.” She leans in and gives me a kiss on my cheek. “Just be patient.”

  And then she’s gone. I open and close my eyes a few times. I think about talking to Logan about this but a part of me stops. This is okay, I’m not going crazy. I finish my drink and turn off the television. I check the locks on my door and turn off the lights.

  Creak.

  There’s a noise from far away. I look around but do not see anything. “Huh weird,” I mumble. The kitchen lights are on. I take one last look around my loft and head to bed. My clothes come off and when my head hits the pillows I fall asleep.

  “Jacob. Are you awake?” The soft voice echoes in my ear. “Wake up baby.”

  Slowly I open my eyes.

  Madison!? What the fuck?

  I get up and stare at her, “What the hell are you doing here? How the fuck did you get in?”

  Sadness builds on her face. She is wearing a black silk robe that is tight around her body. “Jacob, I just wanted to come and say hi. We haven’t talked and I miss you.”

  “You’re crazy!” My anger is rising and I think about how insane she is being. “Did you copy my fucking key?” My fierce tone startles her and I need her to answer me. “Well?”

  Her eyes wide open and terror glazes her eyes. I burn my eyes into her but she sits there in silence. “No more fucking childish games Madison. Leave. Now!”

  She tilts her head to the side and smiles. “You don’t mean that Jacob.” Her body comes close to mine. Her lips are on my chest as she makes her up to my lips. “Come on,” she softly speaks, “You want this. I know you do.”

  I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I don’t want to lose my temper on her. “Madison,” I lean in to her, “Leave. I won’t ask you this again. Do you understand me?”

  Madison slightly nods her head and leaves. “I love you Jacob. You’ll see.”

  I get up to follow her out. When she is at the door, she turns around to face me. There are tears streaming down her face. I wish I’d never done this to her but at the time it seemed to be a good thing. “Good night Madison.”

  “Night,” I close the door and deadbolt it behind her and head back to bed.

  The next morning I call the maintenance crew and demand them to change the locks on all of my doors and install a security system. They assure me everything will be done in a few hours. I hang up the phone and make my way to the bathroom.

  I still can’t believe Madison came over last night. I go through my closet and pick out what to wear. I select my light gray slim fitting Armani suit with a light blue button down and a blue diagonal style tie. I slip on my silver Bulovawatch and fix my hair.

  Heading to the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and an apple. Sitting on the bar stool images of the women in my life come to me. Katherine. Audrina. Madison. These women deserve better than me and I won’t use them for my own satisfaction. With all the crap that is in my life, I have to do something right. I take a bite into my red apple. The crisp taste lingers in my mouth as I plan out my idea.

  I can’t stop thinking about Abigail and that pretty mouth of hers. No one stands up to me but she did. She didn’t have fear in her eyes. The confidence around her is evident. She’s a fighter. I want a fighter. I want someone who will show me and put me in my place. I place my apple on the counter and reflect my life. No more messing around with women. No more emotionless sex. I can’t have another Madison. I want Abigail.

  I give myself a quick check in the mirror before heading out. When I get outside, Gary opens the car door for me.

  “Thank you.”

  I slide in and pull up Heather’s contact information. I give Gary the information of where I need to go before heading to the office. After Gary starts driving, I send a text message Logan.

  Me: Hey I’ll be late coming in. I need to do something.

  Logan: Fill me in later.

  Me: Will do

  I put my phone back in my pocket. I’m not sure about how I’ll handle this but I hope it’ll turn out well. I look out the window and see all the passing buildings and cars. The sun is out and the humidity is high today. The Columbia air is heavy. Gary has the air conditioning turned up high. I try to relax as he turns left. I look at the small houses and wonder, which is hers. Gary pulls in the driveway and puts the car in park. He gets out and comes to open my door. I get out and look at the light brown colored house. It’s small; a one-story house with a one car garage. There’s a garden full of flowers and a tree in the front of the house.

  “Mr. Greene do you need me to do anything?”

  “Just wait here. I shouldn’t be too long.”

  I make my way to the front door and ring the doorbell. I straighten out my clothes and wipe my hands against my pants. I’m not sure what to expect or what to say. After about a minute, I ring the doorbell again. I walk away from the door to look in the window but just as I’m about to walk off the cement porch, the door opens. I quickly look up and see Heather wide eyed looking at me. Her hair is in a ponytail and she’s wearing white shorts with a black ribbed tank top.

  “Uhh Mr. Greene?”

  I walk back to the door and give her a smile. “Morning Heather. May I come in?” Without hesitation, she lets me in. I walk inside and immediately notice the pictures all over the living room. There’s a family portrait with Heather, Abigail, their parents and a little boy. I wonder who that little boy is. I look around the living room and see toys in the corner.

  “How can I help you Mr. Greene?” She asks with question and fear in her voice.

  I turn back to face her. I can see how nervous she is and I start to feel bad. I know I’ve been an asshole and I don’t deserve this chance but I want to do the right thing. “Heather can we sit down please?”

  “Sure.” She starts walking and I follow. We walk into the kitchen and I take a seat at the table. There are papers neatly stacked in the corner. I look over at the refrigerator and notice some of the pictures and drawings. One of the drawings stands out to me. It’s a little boy holding hands with two women. The handwriting is hard to read but I make it out. The woman on the left has the mommy written above her head, the little boy has the name Lucas written beneath his feet and the woman on his right has the name Aunt Heather written above her head. Abigail has a son?

  “Mr. Greene here’s some coffee.” I immediately turn to her and whisper thanks. “So I don’t want to be rude but why are you here?”

  I take a sip of the hot coffee. I smile. Heather remembers how I like my coffee. Black. I hate creamer and sugar. “Heather I apologize for this unexpected visit but I wanted to stop by and see how you are doing.”

  She readjusts herself in the chair and drinks her coffee as well. She places the coffee cup down and brushes her bangs from her face. “I’m alright. I heard my sister came to the office. I’m sorry about that Mr. Greene, she is upset and is protective over me.”

  “I understand. I’m like that with Logan.” We both let out a laugh. The tension seems to lift and I see her shoulders and body begin to relax. “I want to hire you back Heather. I was angry that day and took it out on you. I’m so sorry and hope you can forgive me.”

  Her eyes start to shine and a smile starts to form on her face. “Oh! Mr. Greene I would love to come back and work for you!”

  “I’m sorry but Heather is not coming back to work for you!” We both spin around and notice Abigail walking into the kitchen. Her long wavy brown hair has light curls and covers her beautiful face. I notice she is wearing some make up and her brown and gold eye shadow mix make her eyes glimmer. Those beautiful eyes bring me in and I can’t stop staring. My eyes go down her body. She’s wearing a fitted black button down shirt with a gray pencil skirt.

  I hear Heather moving and the c
hair pushing away from the table. “Abigail, stop please. It’s okay. I want to go back and work.” Heather stands next to me facing her sister. “You told me to always follow what I want and this is what I want.”

  Abigail walks closer and sets her hand on Heather’s shoulder. “I just want you to be happy,” she explains in a hush tone. “Are you sure?” Heather nods and gives her a reassuring smile. “Alright. Can you get Lucas ready?”

  “Alright. Bye Mr. Greene, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  I stand up and face the ladies. “It’s Wednesday and we are all set for now. Enjoy the last few days and I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “Okay!” Before I know it Heather runs and jumps in my arms. I’m speechless. “Thanks.” She whispers in my ear.

  “No, thank you.” I slowly let her go. As she walks out of the kitchen, the tension returns. I feel like a child ready to get yelled at. I pick up my coffee mug and bring it to the sink. I turn on the faucet and wait for the water to get warm. I put liquid soap on the blue sponge and dip the sponge under the water. I wash the mug and rinse it a few times before setting it on the dish rack. Throughout this time I feel Abigail’s eyes on me. Wow those eyes can create fire. I feel nervous and unsure of myself. I turn around and look her in the eyes.

  “Why good morning Abigail. You look beautiful today.”

  She huffs and walks to the coffee pot. “Just don’t hurt her again. Please.”

  I hear the sadness in her voice and it breaks me. “I won’t.”

  Abigail turns around and leans against the counter. “You know she adores you and loves working for you. It would be nice for you to show her your appreciation.” I simply nod. “Why are you doing this?”

  I let out a light laugh. “I’m turning over a new leaf. I miss having Heather in the office. She’s a great assistant.”

  “Yeah she’s a great girl”

  She turns back around and makes her coffee. Here’s my chance. I walk up to her, “Here let me make this for you. Why don’t you sit down?” I see that she’s taken aback from my offer but accepts. I watch her studying me. Trying to figure me out. I shake my head and laugh. After a few moments of silence, I finish making her coffee and bring it to her. I sit back down and look at her again. “Have dinner with me.”

  Surprise on her face makes me smile. Her eyes go wide and quickly stares at me. “I don’t think so.”

  I place my hand on the table close to hers. She notices but doesn’t move her hand away from mine. I want to be with her. She’s all I think about. I’m not sure what I’m doing exactly. When I look back at her, I catch her looking at me but I can’t tell what she is thinking or feeling. I want to take her to dinner and start some sort of relationship with this captivating woman. “Well why not?” I playfully ask.

  “Because I don’t want to,” she quickly responds.

  I look at my watch and notice it’s nearly eight and I have a nine o’clock meeting. I get up from my chair and see her eyes following me. I bend down and reach her left hand, “Well I don’t want to take no for an answer. Tonight at eight. I’ll have Gary come get you. See you soon beautiful.”

  Chapter 8

  Abigail

  I watch Mister Sex-on-a-stick walk out the door. Oh this is not going to be good. I take a sip of my coffee and play back everything that just took place. Why does he want me? Why does he like me? I shake my head and keep wondering these things. I haven’t dated in a while and bringing a man into my life doesn’t seem right. I look at the picture on the refrigerator and think about Lucas. I need to be fair to him. He should not have to see men walk in and out of my life.

  Before he was born, I promised myself there wouldn’t be any pointless relationships in my life. Lucas was my number one priority. I had always put the feelings and happiness of others before my own. I wasn’t sure what true happiness and true love felt like. I thought I loved Ryan but after everything that happened and his betrayal, love wasn’t something that came easily to me. I thought about Ryan and wondered what he was doing sometimes. I wanted answers. I wanted to know why he did what he did.

  I close my eyes again and shake out the memories of my past. I’ve moved on with my life and things are great. I have Lucas and Heather and my friends and second graders keep me busy.

  I hear Heather and Lucas laughing nearby. I get up from the table and follow their laughter.

  “Look Lucas! Mama has a date tonight!” Heather and Lucas high five one another.

  “Oh grow up you two!” I roll my eyes at them. “Come on Lucas we have to get going.” He grabs his back pack from the living room and runs over to me. Another day with my second graders. I smile as we step outside into the world.

  We pull into the school parking lot and I get Lucas out of the car. “Come on, time to learn something fun!”

  Lucas groans. “I hate kindergarten mama! It’s so boring!”

  I can’t help but laugh. If he thinks kindergarten is boring now, I’ll have a lot to deal with when he gets older. “Lucas, stop that. Think positive! Today is going to be fun fun fun!”

  He groans again, “Please stop that Mama.” We get inside and since it’s not cool to give him a hug, we high five instead. “Have a good day Mama.”

  “You too Lucas. See you in a little bit!” I blow him a kiss but he sticks his tongue out at me and walks away. I shake my head and head to my classroom. I open the door and turn on the lights. There are twenty two little desks and chairs all over. I set it up so that there will be four tables in a square shape so that kids are able to interact with one another. I set down my purse and walk to the chalk board. I pick out two colored chalks, blue and pink, and write a good morning message on the board for my little ones.

  Good morning class. Please have a seat and take out your Wednesday read book.

  I am lucky this year to have a great group of students. They’re all special and each bring in something different to the classroom.

  “Good morning sexy thing!”

  I look over and see my best friend Marilyn strolling in through the door. Her sleek black hair shines and there’s a sparkle in those green eyes of hers. “Good morning darling. Why are we happy this morning?”

  She takes a sip of her coffee and lets out a soft moan. “Oh! Abigail! Christopher was all hands this morning.” She closes her eyes and tips her head back. “Do you know what it’s like to wake up to a python poking you?”

  I let out a loud laugh and nearly fall to the ground laughing. “Unfortunately I don’t but I’m sure you are going to tell me!”

  “Girl! I do not know what he’s taking but whatever it is ohhhhhhh baby. He was a freak this morning! He was whispering all of this sexy stuff. Telling me I’m hot and I’m his little slut. He blind folded me and rubbed his dick in between the girls. Ohhh I nearly died!”

  My mouth drops! Christopher Reese is a quiet software developer. He wears glasses and his sense of style is at zero. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I look at Marilyn with my eyes popping out and see her smiling from ear to ear. “One, please stop! Now I can’t even look at him and two how did you manage that with the girls?”

  “Um they were at my parent’s today. Yeah they take them every now and then.” Marilyn looks away from me as if she’s hiding something.

  I go up to her and place my hand on her shoulder. “Marilyn? What’s going on?”

  “Ugh! Abigail they are driving me crazy! One minute Clare is screaming for a cookie and the next Danielle slaps Clare to make her stop then they both are fighting each other! How can my four year old twins be so mean? They are too much to handle so my parents take them once a week before I commit murder!” Marilyn sits on the table and starts crying, “Am I a bad mother?”

  “Oh honey no! It is okay to feel this way. Sometimes I leave Lucas with Heather and just go for a drive. It doesn’t mean you love them any less!”

  She dries her tears and gets up, “Thanks Abigail. I needed that.” We look at the clock and notice it is almost time to start teaching.
“See you at lunch?”

  “Of course!”

  *****

  Lucas and I get home at our usual time, four thirty. Today my students must’ve been on a sugar high because they were a handful! Lucas tells me about his day and how he got the chance to stand in front of the class and tell a story. A look of pride fills his face when he tells me about it.

  “That sounds fantastic Lucas! See kindergarten is not so bad huh?”

  He rolls his eyes, “Okay mama!”

  “Alright go relax and play. Mama will be upstairs.”

  I watch as Lucas runs to the living room and turns on the television.

  My head is spinning and I can’t seem to figure anything out. I look through my closet and there is nothing remotely sexy or beautiful. “What am I doing?” I throw all my dresses on my bed but nothing looks good enough. “Ugh!”

  I pick up my phone and text Heather.

  Me: I have nothing to wear tonight!

  Heather: A go to my closet. In the wayyyyy back and I have some stuff in there you would like. Trust me!

  Me: Do I even want to know?

  Heather: Nope ;)

  “Mama, mama! What’s wrong?” Lucas runs through my door and stands by my side. His cheeks covered in chocolate as he’s standing there looking up at me.

  I get down on my knees and laugh, “Nothing baby boy. Mama just doesn’t have any dresses.” Out of nowhere, Lucas’s face contorts to an express full of pain. “Mama?” His soft whisper with pain indicates disaster. I quickly grab him and run to the bathroom. When I put him down, he runs to the toilet and vomits. I take a wash cloth and turn on the faucet. The warm water runs as I wet and wring the washcloth.

  “Mama!” Lucas calls out to me.

  “Sweetie I’m coming.” I turn off the faucet and place the wash cloth on Lucas’s neck. He continues to vomit for a few minutes. I feel bad as his tiny body violently shakes. He lifts his head and his face is pale. I wash his face and take off his clothes. I start the bath and help him get in. “Okay baby, just relax and Mama will take care of you.” I take another washcloth and start washing him up. His body feels hot and I feel so horrible. I hate when he gets sick. I sit on the bathroom floor and pull out my phone to call his doctor. I explain the symptoms and they give me instructions with what to do. The stomach flu..of course.