“Mmm, I don’t know,” Jill continued. “You two may want to get your stories straight now before I go to the offices of Doctors Gillis and Cole and let them know what kind of man they have teaching in their school.” Jill then turned her stink eye onto Gloria. “And that they should watch out for a sob story coming from a girl who turned out to be more trouble than she was ever worth.”
Nate opened his mouth to put her in her place, but it was Gloria’s voice that came forth, loud and clear.
“I wish you would say something to someone about me and Nate.”
He turned and gawked at Gloria. Her soft, tear-stained face and supple curves of her body hardened before his eyes like accelerated rigor mortis. He had never seen her so upset. No, she was beyond upset. She was livid.
“I beg your pardon?” Jill leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Is that a threat, Ms. Goodman?”
“It’s not me making the threats, Ms. Oliver. I don’t have to. I heard you refer to me as ‘T and A’ to Ms. Ruiz in the hall. It was you who started the rumor, not some group of boys like you told Nate. Don’t worry. I set the record straight with him.”
Jill’s jaw-dropping expression of horror almost made Nate laugh, but Gloria was too angry—and she wasn’t done.
She went to her desk and pulled out her phone. After a few manipulations, she found what she wanted and turned the phone around so Jill and Nate could see.
It was a video of the main corridor and the recording was of the backs of Jill and Melanie Ruiz from the front office, and there was no mistaking who they were because their profiles were visible. They walked a few yards ahead of Gloria. There weren’t that many people around, so the microphone picked up everything clearly.
“Did you get a load of what that little puta is wearing today?” Melanie Ruiz said.
Jill chuckled. “Yes. Red pencil skirt, white shirt. You know, Mel, sometimes I wonder if Nate hired her just to have a bit of jailbait to ogle at. She’s more T and A than a TA.”
Both women got a good cackle at that as they walked past a trio of boys standing by their lockers who appeared to enjoy the slur, too, judging by the elbow nudges and one of them saying “Gloria” as clear as day.
Then the video became a wobbly jumble of swirling activity as Gloria ducked down another hall.
Nate’s blood chilled at hearing the words firsthand. Granting knowledge of how Jill used her friendship with Melanie to get his schedule to parrot hers so they’d work together, Melanie Ruiz was one of the nicest women working in the main office—or so he thought.
The kids loved her because she mothered them all, especially when they probably had none at home, such as the case with Gloria. Even some of the hard asses thawed a bit with Melanie. She had the nickname of “Tía Mel” or just Tía. And she loved it too, often encouraging the students to call her “auntie.”
Jill was Gloria’s former homeroom teacher, practically a counselor to her, and knew of the turmoil she endured. And here she was, with “Tia Mel,” trashing one of the sweetest, smartest, unpretentious girls Darning High could ever hope to have.
Nate had lost respect for Jill a long time ago, and now, Melanie Ruiz just joined her pal on his go-straight-to-hell list.
All color drained from Jill’s face.
“Yeah, bitch. Say something else about my word against yours again. I got your words right here. So, whatever you think you heard and whatever you think you know, you better think again. You try to smear Nate or me—I will sue your flat, bony ass for slander and say you did it because you couldn’t get into Nate’s pants. You wanted to trash his reputation through me.”
Now it was Gloria’s turn to cross her arms over her chest. “That last part may be my word against yours, but after they see this....” She tapped her phone with her forefinger. “It won’t earn you any bonus points. And now, Jill Oliver, the time has come for me to break you down into the lowest common denominator. Barney style.”
Gloria stalked closer to where Jill stood, going in for the kill—and began to sing.
“I hate you, you hate me. Do. Not. Try. To. Bullshit. Me. You’re a low-down, petty, basic cunt and bitch...run away...and I won’t snitch.”
Nate didn’t think it was possible for Jill to get any paler, and he wondered if she was about to pass out.
“You once accused me of trying to lecture to you. Well, consider yourself schooled.”
Standing mere inches away from Jill, in her heels at full height, Gloria towered over the other woman by nearly a foot.
“Get. Out.”
It was hard for Nate not to keep a straight face as a high, squeaking noise of a helium balloon deflating came out of Jill’s gaping, dumbstruck mouth, but Gloria’s expression of barely contained rage left no room for argument.
“Close the door! And don’t let it hit you!” she called out to Jill’s rapidly retreating backside.
Jill complied.
Nate blinked and it was like coming out of a trance. He rushed out after Jill to close and lock the classroom door, and then he did the same with the office door. He turned to face Gloria whom he now had isolated alone. She stood in the center of the room trembling.
“Guess I told her.”
She tried to laugh, but it fell apart into a sob. He rushed over and gathered her in his arms. She was trembling so much he could barely hold her still, so he increased his hold and began to squeeze. Her body molded into his like a full-body pillow, and when she wrapped her arms around his neck, he didn’t care if the entire school board walked in on them.
Swaying as they clung to each other, Gloria’s sobbing eased into sniffles and he stroked her back and kissed the top of her head.
“Shhh...,” he cooed. “It’s going to be alright, Gee.”
It made him think hard, though. What if? What if she was pregnant with their child? One thing was certain: he’d never leave her to face it alone.
But would that mean marriage? Would he—should he—offer? Hell, would she accept? If she was pregnant, his career as a teacher was probably over. Would she want to be with a “disgraced” teacher whose future employment prospects were grim?
“Come, let’s go sit down.”
He escorted her to the couch, grabbing the box of tissues on his desk along the way, and tried not to think about how it was on this very couch where he had discovered Gloria masturbating and allowed himself to succumb to the temptation she presented and ended up taking her virginity.
Keeping his arm around her, he kept her nestled into his side. Finally, he asked.
“When do you think it happened?” He handed her a tissue and she wiped her nose. “Was it...?” He didn’t know how to put it so he blurted it out. “Was it the first time?”
Because surely she would have noticed before now, he thought. Then again, biology wasn’t her best subject. He wanted to laugh at the thought, but that wasn’t a fair assessment. She was quite intelligent.
It was just the complete irony of it all. And just because they taught sex ed didn’t mean the students were incapable of getting into such a predicament.
She sat up and made herself a bit more comfortable, but didn’t look his way.
“Not long after our first...you know...Robyn took me to Planned Parenthood and I’ve been on the pill ever since. But—”
She tried to look him in the eye but couldn’t, so she studied her knotted fingers in her lap.
“The night we spent at the Burghdorfer,” she whispered. “I didn’t have my pills with me because we didn’t plan for—for anything.”
And with that, she broke down again. Nate closed his eyes at what was now a bittersweet memory. Three times they did it, and although he could remember having lube and condoms, for the life of him, he could only remember using a condom when he took her anal cherry. How could he have been so stupid!
Because, Nathan Daniel Larson, you are a selfish, fucking asshole!
But Gloria’s voice stopped him scolding himself further.
“I took a test Saturday morning and it was positive, but I’m going to take another one today to be sure.”
Nate shifted around to face her, wrapped his arms around her, and squeezed her tight. She burrowed her face into the curve of his neck, and her tears made his collar damp. He pulled back.
“Oh, my wet, snotty girl,” he murmured, emotion choking his voice. Then his lips formed a trembling smile as his thumbs brushed her tears away. “You are the strongest, smartest, most beautiful—” He made her look at him. “—woman, I have ever known. You have more strength in character than can be found in this school, faculty included...and I love you, Gloria Goodman.”
He cradled her face and pinned her down with an unwavering gaze.
“I. Love. You.”
Things happened pretty quickly after that. Jill stopped coming by the office. At first, they thought it was a fluke, but they knew something was up when Jill started to park her car in another row.
Gloria took another pregnancy test and had seen her doctor. The results were conclusive: no baby.
Nate hadn’t felt such relief since—Jill stopped hanging around!
And Gloria could barely contain her joy for having dodged the bullet—again.
Had the test been positive, he could live with the consequences of rebuilding his career if he had to, but the last thing he wanted to do was to ruin Gloria’s life.
With the spectre of an unwanted pregnancy no longer a threat, Gloria was able to focus on her work and finish transcribing Nate’s manuscript.
It was just past noon when she sent the files to his Dropbox and backed them up on a thumb drive. Nate was finalizing the grades when the notification icon appeared on his computer screen. He looked up to see Gloria lean back in her chair and stretch her arms above her head, smile on her face. Then she glanced over to see him watching her.
Despite their smiles at each other, neither said a word. Gloria’s work for him was officially through. Finally, he spoke.
“I guess that’s you done, then.”
She nodded slowly. “Is there anything you want me to do? I can—”
“No, no. You have completed your task admirably, Miss Goodman.” He smiled warmly at her, enjoying the way she started to blush at the compliment.
“I can clean the cages before I go—”
“Ugh! No, Gloria! Why would you want to do that?” He laughed.
“I don’t know...,” she said with a slight whine and a shrug. Then she smiled. “Stalling, I guess.”
“Well don’t. Get out of here.”
She pouted. “What if I refuse?”
Nate got up and walked slowly over to where she sat and leaned against her desk.
“I may have to consider some sort of discipline. Perhaps a good spanking is in order.”
Gloria retrieved her purse from its hiding place, slung it over her shoulder, and stood. A slow smile spread across her lips.
“Maybe it is.”
She kissed him just enough to elicit a moan from him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she murmured, stroking his cheek once before moving away.
“Can’t wait.”
To celebrate the end of the summer term, the completion of the manuscript, and Gloria’s eminent departure for college, Michael and Robyn suggested they go on a double date at Gloria’s favorite Chinese restaurant. But they had to schedule it for Saturday night because Brittany had invited Gloria to her college going away party.
Rory Stewart was going to be there, but Nate wasn’t jealous at the idea.
He embraced her, and this time their kiss left them both panting.
“Oh! Mr. Larsen,” she teased, pretending to tidy her hair.
“Leave, Miss Goodman, while I still have some restraint.”
She smiled, but when she dabbed the corners of her mouth with her finger seductively, the gesture made his cock twitch.
“Gloria,” he warned.
“I’m leaving, I’m leaving!”
Then she skittered away from him in the same manner she did all those weeks ago when they first started to get comfortable with each other. Before they became lovers, before the thought of her carrying his child became a possibility.
He shook his head so vigorously it made spots appear before his eyes. Best not think about it, because he refused to allow it to happen.
He was going to have her for one last weekend, and this time, he was prepared. He already stocked up on condoms and stashed them everywhere he could think of: in his wallet, in the glove compartment of his car, in the bathroom, in his nightstand, in the kitchen—everywhere.
His last days with “his Gloria” were now at hand...and he was going to make them special.
It was Saturday night and Gloria was in high spirits. She’d had a blast at Brittany’s party the night before, and although Rory was there and he and Gloria were paired off for the evening, when it came time to leave, he took it well.
Nevertheless, Gloria decided not to tell Nate about her farewell kiss with Rory.
A woman was entitled to her secrets.
So when the time came, Nate arrived while Robyn and Gloria were applying their finishing touches, which allowed them to make a grand entrance. As they descended the stairs, Michael and Nate stood up.
The ladies wore matching dresses bought when Robyn took Gloria shopping before her date with Rory. The strapless dresses clung to every curve and stopped mid-thigh. The ruched bodice accentuated their cleavage nicely. The only difference was that Robyn’s was red and Gloria’s was black.
A sheer matching shawl, strappy heels, and hair strategically coiffed and pinned atop her head completed the look. It was definitely the most grown up outfit she ever wore, let alone owned, but Robyn convinced her it was a good investment.
Judging from Nate’s awestruck expression, it was money well spent...even if it had been Robyn who footed the bill.
“Well, fellas,” Robyn coaxed, “what’s the verdict?”
Gloria giggled at Nate’s awestruck nod of approval, but for some reason, Michael’s beaming smile caused a lump to form in her throat.
“My little sister, all grown up.”
“Yes, she is!” Robyn agreed. “Ooh! Lemme get my phone to take some pictures.”
The next ten minutes were taken up with Robyn acting as photo director until Michael reminded her of their dinner reservation. The couples drove in separate cars because it was understood that Gloria would be spending the rest of the weekend at Nate’s house after they left the restaurant.
Come Monday, Gloria, Michael, and Robyn were going to be too busy getting everything packed up and ready to move Gloria to the campus.
In fact, she and Nate almost had an argument on the way to the restaurant about it. Once again he tried to offer his assistance with helping her move, but she was adamant that he was not to come by and see her off.
“Don’t make me sic Michael on you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me. Remember what happened to Jill?”
Nate snorted with laughter. “You’re right. I know better than to risk my luck.”
When they arrived at the Chinese restaurant, Gloria had a moment of reluctance. This was basically the first time she and Nate would be going out—as a couple—close to home. She looked up at him, and he must have known what she was thinking because he reached out and took her hand.
“Let someone try,” was all he said.
They entered the lobby grinning.
The Jade Lotus Restaurant was packed. Once Michael and Robyn arrived, they were seated almost immediately thanks to their reservation. Their table was upstairs where the ambience was dim and hushed, with traditional Chinese music piped through speakers, paper lanterns and sconces, and the gentle sound of trickling water coming from a large Meditating Buddha water fountain as well as from smaller bell fountains in various other parts of the space.
When the waiter discovered he only had three menus instead of four, she and Nate shared one, and h
e made a show of moving his chair near her and leaning in close. Her cheeks began to get sore and burn from having to keep herself from grinning like an idiot.
School was out. She was a graduate and was the legal age of consent, and now she and the man she loved were out having their last romantic meal together, in public for the world to see.
Gloria looked up at Nate’s profile. He was studying the menu. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek and he smiled, never taking his eyes off the list of entrees.
“There will be plenty of time for that, Miss Goodman.”
But not for too much longer, she thought with a soft but sad smile.
As dinner progressed, there was a lot of laughter as Michael told stories about his buddies. Gloria had heard them before, but Michael was a great storyteller and they still made her laugh.
Nate shared some funny “teachable moments” about his students, and Robyn had some humorous insights stemming from her work in musical theatre.
And while Gloria didn’t have any life stories to add, she couldn’t help but feel awe about how the three people around her had changed this summer, probably as much as she had. Given her previous life at home, things could have been a whole lot worse.
She reached down and took her phone out of her handbag that she had sitting on her lap, under the tablecloth. She took a picture of them at a moment when Nate was gesturing excitedly with his hands, his face lit up and animated, and Michael and Robyn were roaring with laughter, their heads tossed back and Robyn reaching for Michael’s chair in need of support.
Tears formed in the back of Gloria’s eyes, but the sensation lasted for only a second. There was no need to cry—at least, no reason for tears of sadness. Tears of laughter was another thing, so she chose the latter.
When it came time for dessert, Gloria was quick to order her favorite dish—Tang Yuan—gelatinous rice balls served in a sweet ginger syrup. What Gloria really enjoyed about the dessert was how the restaurant used food coloring to make the rice balls various pastel shades and then filled the balls with homemade strawberry preserves.
By this time, things were quieter, and Gloria noticed that the restaurant crowd had thinned out quite a bit. But it was only a lull. The Jade Lotus stayed open past midnight to accommodate theatre, opera, and club goers.
The Summer of Consent Page 18
