An Unplanned Lesson Read online

  Dailan had a quick cup of coffee before leaving. I hugged him tightly at the door as we said our goodbyes. “Thanks for the great weekend,” I said.

  “Anytime,” he said kissing me on the forehead. “I’ll talk to you later,” he said as he walked out the door. I watched him pull away with heaviness in my chest. He wasn’t even gone for a minute and I already missed him. Snap out of this, Nicole, you can’t be feeling this way. Soon he will be gone for longer than that, I reminded myself.

  I put a load of laundry in and poured another cup of coffee. I pulled my planner from my bag and did my best to try and concentrate on my lesson plans.

  The ringing of my phone broke my concentration. I felt a knot in my stomach when I saw that it was my mother. I reluctantly answered, even though I wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.

  "Nicole, I'm so sorry about your birthday," she started out right away.

  "Mom, just drop it. It's over and done with."

  There was an awkward silence before she began to talk again. “Well, your friend certainly is handsome,” she said. This was so typical of her. She always skirted around the issue at hand by changing the topic

  “Mom, just stop!” I couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Stop what?”

  “Trying to sweep everything under the carpet like it doesn't exist.”

  “Nicole, I don't know –”

  “Oh, Mom, come on! I'm surprised you’re even allowed to call me. Didn't your husband forbid it? I'm not part of your family anymore - remember?”

  “Your father doesn't dictate to me who I can and cannot talk to, Nicole.”

  “Mom, you've always teetered when it came to me; almost like you were disobeying your husband by having a relationship with your daughter. Well, I'm going to make it easy for you. You made a commitment to him till death do you part. I'm just your daughter; you have no obligation to me.”

  “Oh, Nicole, stop with the drama and start considering other people's feelings. Your father never got over the hurt that you caused him.”

  “The hurt that I caused him! Please tell me that you really did not just say that to me. Do you have any idea how scared and alone I felt, Mom? Did you even care or were you just too busy stroking your husband's ego because his fucked up daughter humiliated him so bad?”

  “Nicole, stop it; that's not true!”

  “Just leave me alone, Mom, all of you. I'm trying to get over my past and it seems like every time I'm around you and Dad, it's just a constant reminder. Now you don't have to feel like you’re going against anyone.” I hung up the phone before she had a chance to respond.

  I did my best to finish up my lesson plans. I put them away once I was finally somewhat satisfied with them. I pulled the spelling tests out that I needed to grade and, before I knew it, they were all done and already entered into the online grading system. I found myself to be quite productive when I was angry. I looked outside to what seemed to be a beautiful afternoon. I quickly changed and decided to go for a walk. I stopped at the end of the driveway to talk briefly to Mrs. Tallone and her man-friend, who were just getting back from church. I continued, listening to my iPod. It was a beautiful spring afternoon. The temperature was already feeling like it was in the 70s. I walked up onto the bay beach and looked out at the water, trying to clear my head. I wondered what Dailan and Ryan were doing on this beautiful afternoon and briefly contemplated calling them, but quickly changed my mind. They hadn’t seen each other in almost a week; they didn’t need me tagging along with whatever plans they had. I closed my eyes and took in the warm sun while Bruce Springsteen blared through my headphones.

  I looked up when I felt someone standing over top of me. I used my hands as a visor to block out the sun. I pulled my headphones out of my ears and immediately stood up, noticing that it was my ex-boyfriend Drew. He must have been out for his daily run, which he always took along the beach.

  “Hey!” I said with a smile, being taken a little off guard when he wrapped his arms around me to give me a hug.

  “How have you been, Nic?”

  “Good, really good,” I said. “Still running every day, I see.”

  He nodded. We both sat back down and began to talk. “So how are things with Heather – right?” I asked.

  Drew shook his head. “Pretty good; we’re engaged,” he said, sounding like he was almost afraid to tell me.

  “That’s great. When is the big day?”

  “Not until October. I never knew so much went into planning a wedding,” he said.

  “Yeah, tell me about it. Donna is almost nonexistent with planning hers.”

  “How have you been? Did you ever get that job?” he asked.

  “I did and I love it.”

  “That’s great. I’m sure all the kids love you.”

  I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

  “So, are you seeing anyone?” he asked.

  I was silent for a moment before answering. “Yeah, I am.”

  “Well, he’s a lucky guy.”

  “Thanks,” I said quietly.

  The look in his eyes seemed to reflect mixed emotions. He was silent for a moment as he gazed into my eyes. “I still think about you a lot,” he said.

  I took a deep breath. “Congratulations, Drew. I know you will make a great husband.”

  He nodded. “Well, I better get back to my run. It was good seeing you, Nic,” he said as he stood up.”

  “You too.”

  I watched as he ran off, slowly becoming just a small speck in the distance. I was truly happy for him and his new life that he was planning. I realized that although I had once loved Drew very much, the love I felt for Dailan was so different. It was much more intense, like none I’ve ever known, and it scared me half to death.

  Chapter 35

  As much as I tried to avoid it, Monday morning had arrived. I stopped in Valerie’s office on my way in to find out the outcome of her meeting with Mrs. Aymes on Friday afternoon. It was just as I suspected; she accused Valerie and me of ganging up on her son. She refused to listen to anything that Valerie had to say. I cringed as I thought of the new ammunition that she might have against me.

  I left her office and arrived at my classroom, savoring the last few minutes of silence. My stomach flipped when I pulled my phone from my purse and read the text I had just gotten from Dailan: I missed waking up with you this morning….have a great day, beautiful. This was the first I had heard from him since he left my house yesterday morning. I quickly texted him back: Me too and you too. I was just about to put my phone away when another text came through: See you tonight? I quickly replied: Perhaps….call me after 3. I threw my phone in my purse and mentally prepared myself for the chaos coming down the hallway. The day went by smoothly, partly because Cameron Aymes was absent, much to my delight. Ryan was so excited to see me. I spent my whole recess duty listening to him tell me about his ski trip.

  I almost forgot about my “up in the air” plans with Dailan that night until my phone began to ring on my way home from work.

  “Hey you,” I answered.

  “Well, I just happened to get out of work early so I wanted to see if you wanted to come over and hang out with me and Ryan?”

  “Hmmm…..sure, why not? What time?”

  “Whenever, come over now, I’m here.”

  “Okay, I just want to run home and get changed really quickly,” I said.

  I hung up the phone and finished driving home. I ran into my apartment, quickly changing into my jeans and a t-shirt before heading back out the door. It was another beautiful spring-like day. I rolled down the windows and let the fresh air in on the drive over. Dailan opened the front door before I had even got to the porch. I was greeted with one of his deep passionate kisses that made my stomach drop. I tensed up the way I always did whenever I knew Ryan was around and Dailan would kiss me. “Will you relax? He’s in the backyard with my dad,” he said just as I noticed that there was another car besides Dailan’s in the driveway. “Sorry,
he just stopped over unexpectedly,” Dailan said.

  “Why are you apologizing? I think your dad’s great.” I followed Dailan into the backyard where Ryan was having a baseball catch with his grandfather.

  “Hi, Miss Morgan,” Ryan said excitedly.

  I smiled and waved, not wanting to break his concentration.

  But it was too late, Jack O’Maley took off his baseball glove and came walking toward me. “Nicole, it’s so nice to see you again,” he said giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “You too, Mr. O’Maley,” I said with a smile.

  “Please call me ‘Jack.’”

  I nodded. He had such a way of making me feel instantly comfortable around him. I found myself secretly wishing that my own dad could be that way.

  “Grandpop,” Ryan whined as he waited anxiously for him to throw the ball back.

  Jack handed the glove and ball to Dailan. “I’m taking a break; have a catch with your nephew.”

  Dailan immediately began to tease Ryan before throwing him the ball. “Okay, Ryan, try not to throw like a girl.”

  “I don’t throw like a girl, you do, fool,” Ryan teased back.

  Jack and I both laughed at the way Dailan and Ryan playfully bantered back and forth.

  “I have to say, I was a little apprehensive about Dailan taking on such a big responsibility with Ryan. I didn’t think he had it in him, but he’s doing a great job. His brother would be proud of him.” Jack said as he kept his eyes on Dailan and Ryan having a catch.

  I nodded in total agreement.

  “A little selfish part of me was wishing he didn’t get the court approvals so quickly; or maybe not at all. I like having my son and grandson just a car ride away instead of a plane ride,” Jack said.

  “Dailan got the approval to take Ryan out of the country?” I asked, trying to hide the surprise in my voice.

  “Yes, just today,” Jack said with a little sadness in his voice.

  “Oh,” I said, biting my lip and trying not to look how I was feeling, which was disheartened.

  "Well, I guess there's still time for him to change his mind. His boss was going on and on about him when I picked him up for lunch a few weeks ago. I know he’s hoping that he decides to stay."

  I listened closely as Jack O'Maley continued. "Of course, there's always the chance that you could get him to change his mind."

  "Oh, Mr. O' - I mean, Jack. If there's anything that I've learned over the years, it's that you have to let people make their own decisions on what's best for them, even if it's not what I want."

  He smiled warmly at me. "I really like you, Nicole, and I know that my son really does too. I just hope that he makes the right decision."

  I smiled back. I hope he does too, I thought to myself.

  Jack's wife Annette was away visiting family so Jack was insistent that he take us to dinner. Jack began his endless stories about Dailan throughout dinner and I found that I never tired of listening to them. Dailan just rolled his eyes and endlessly tried to change the topic.

  We finished up with dinner and said our goodbyes. Ryan hugged his grandfather tightly before jumping in the backseat of Dailan's car.

  "Thanks for dinner, Mr. O'Maley," I said. He raised his eyebrow at me. "I mean, Jack."

  "Anytime, Nicole."

  "See ya, Dad," Dailan said as Jack patted him on the shoulder and made his way to his car.

  Ryan chattered non-stop the whole car ride home and before we knew it, we were pulling into the driveway.

  "Miss Morgan?" Ryan asked, taking off his seat belt.

  "Yeah."

  "I was thinking, would I still have to call you ‘Miss Morgan’ if you and my uncle D get married?”

  I looked over at Dailan, who was looking straight ahead, expressionless, almost acting like he hadn't heard what Ryan had just asked. I didn't know how to answer that question, so I did the best that I could. "Umm Ryan, I'll make a deal with you. You can call me ‘Nicole’ outside of school, but in school you have to call me ‘Miss Morgan.’”

  "Cool," Ryan said with a smile. "But then you would be my Aunt Nicole if you guys got married."

  I laughed it off, not knowing what else to do. Dailan quickly got out of the car and opened Ryan’s car door, not adding to the conversation in any way. Ryan stepped out of the car and looked up at Dailan. “Uncle Dailan, can she be my Aunt Nicole one day?” Dailan picked up Ryan and turned him upside down. “Ahhh, put me down,” Ryan said as he hung over Dailan’s shoulder. And just like that, Dailan had diverted the question - a question that I strangely wanted to know the answer to.

  Chapter 36

  “Ryan, it’s nine-thirty,” Dailan said.

  “Aww,” Ryan pouted as Dailan pulled him off the couch. “Good night, Miss Morgan – I mean, Nicole.” Ryan smiled and flashed me his adorable dimples.

  “Good night, sweetie.”

  “I’ll be right back, I have to make sure that somebody brushes their teeth,” Dailan said, messing up Ryan’s hair as the two of them went up the stairs.

  I got up from the couch and looked around at the photographs that lined the walls and fireplace mantel. I focused my attention on Dailan’s brother’s wedding picture. He looked a lot like Dailan, but with darker hair. His wife was beautiful. She had long dark hair just like Ryan had described her. They looked so in love in that picture. I felt immediate sorrow thinking about how their love story ended. I took in all of the baby pictures of Ryan that covered the walls from birth right on up to his school picture from last year. I picked up the beautiful black and white portrait of Ryan and his mother. Ryan looked to be about three years old. She was leaning behind him with her arms wrapped tightly around him as their cheeks pressed up against each other. It exuded the love of a mother for her child perfectly. My chest tightened thinking that this woman that Ryan loved so much was now gone from his life forever. I put the picture down and stood in silence. Dailan came back down the stairs and I turned around from the mantle.

  "Your brother looked a lot like you," I said.

  He nodded and I watched, as the smile that was just on his face disappeared.

  I moved closer to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I have to get going.”

  He moved my hair out of the way and kissed my neck. "Stay," he whispered in my ear. His voice sounded so sexy that my insides instantly longed for him.

  I looked up at him as if he were crazy. That was a definite no-no when Ryan was here. "You know that's not possible tonight," I said.

  "Nicole, Ryan is already out like a light and once he falls asleep, he's done. It takes me forever to get him up in the morning.”

  He continued to kiss my neck, making my resistance even weaker. “Dailan, we can’t –”

  He ignored me and kissed me on my lips to stop me from talking. He picked me up and carried me up the stairs, ignoring my feeble protest. It took me a while to relax and stop thinking about Ryan, who was asleep in the next room. But Dailan helped to relax me; quite a few times, making me happy that I had let him talk me into staying. Once Dailan was satisfied that I was satisfied, his movements became a little more intense. I responded eagerly to each thrust.

  “Oh, Nicole, baby,” Dailan whimpered in delight. I pulled him closer, feeling like I couldn’t get enough of him, as we both found our release at the same time. “I love you,” he whispered. His words were barely audible. He lay on top of me, trying to catch his breath as I tried to think of how to reply. I ran my hands through his disheveled hair. I was just about to respond when the bedroom door flung open and I saw Ryan standing in the doorway. I gasped and quickly pushed Dailan off of me. I pulled the sheet over my head in my best attempt to hide.

  Dailan sat up and threw on his boxers. “He’s sleepwalking,” he said. I stayed hidden under the sheet until Dailan walked Ryan back to his room. I sat up, waiting for Dailan to come back in. I decided I was going to leave. I should have listened to the logical side of me and this wouldn’t be happening right now.


  Dailan finally came back in. “Oh my God, Dailan, he just walked in on his uncle having sex with his teacher. We just caused him to be lying on a couch talking to a shrink one day years from now.”

  Dailan laughed at my assessment of the whole situation. “He sleepwalks from time to time. Trust me, he didn’t really see anything; he was sleeping. Technically, we weren’t having sex anyway – we just finished,” he said with a grin

  “I should really go,” I said as I started to grab my bra from the floor.

  “No, you’re not going anywhere, it’s almost midnight, and you’re not going home this late.” He pushed me down on the bed and hovered over top of me so I couldn’t go anywhere. “Besides, I like waking up with you,” he said, turning on his side and pulling me toward him. I didn’t put up any more of a fight, because I knew I wouldn’t win anyway. As I began to feel myself drift off to sleep, the last thought on my mind was the response that never got said to Dailan – I love you too.

  I was wide awake before the alarm on my phone even went off. I hurried up and turned it off, not wanting to take a chance of waking Ryan. I looked over at Dailan, who was still asleep. I was about to get up and get dressed when he pulled me toward him.

  “Where are you going?” he asked as he began to tickle me.

  I was laughing as I tried to break free of his tickle assault. “I have to go home and get ready for work. Remember, it’s Tuesday and Ryan will be awake in a few short hours.”

  I had my back turned toward him as he hugged me tightly. He began to kiss my bare back while gently caressing my breasts. As perfect as it felt, I had to tear myself away, if I planned on getting out of there unseen by Ryan and getting to work on time.

  I turned around to him, “Dailan, as much as I would love to spend the day in bed with you, I have to get going.”

  He sighed, giving me one last kiss on the cheek before releasing me from his arms.