An Unplanned Lesson Page 18

  I sat up and began to dress while he watched me. “What are you staring at?” I asked.

  “You’re just so beautiful.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I look really beautiful right now,” I joked, knowing that I probably looked like a mess after just waking up.

  “You do,” he said with a serious expression on his face.

  “You are too kind.” I leaned down and gave him a kiss.

  He got up and started to dress. “I can see my way out; go back to sleep,” I said. He ignored me as he pulled up his pants and followed me out of the bedroom. I tiptoed past Ryan’s bedroom and headed down the steps to the front door.

  “Geez, I feel like I’m having an affair, sneaking around like this. Are you sure he was sleepwalking?” I was still on edge over what had happened last night.

  “I’m positive.” He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back, thinking that maybe he would say those three little words again – but he didn’t. So I decided to keep my feelings in for now as well, even though I wanted to shout it from the rooftop at that particular moment.

  Chapter 37

  I called Donna on my drive to work, filling her in on what had transpired last night. “Well, did you say it back?” her voice radiated from the speaker of my phone.

  “I was going to, but then Ryan walked in,” I said feeling myself tensing up at my words.

  “What!” Donna exclaimed.

  “He was sleepwalking. Dailan swears that he had no clue what was going on.”

  “Oh, Nicole, this could only happen to you.” She laughed.

  “The thing is, I don’t know if he really meant it or if it was well you know –”

  “If it was what?”

  “In the heat of the moment – if you know what I mean?” I couldn’t believe that I was actually getting embarrassed talking about this to my best friend, with whom I shared everything. But my relationship with Dailan was so different than any other I had been in. I felt like I wanted to keep our intimate moments between just him and me.

  “Nicole, he said it. It doesn’t matter when or how – he loves you. Now the question is, are you going to love him back or are you going to run away?”

  “Oh, Donna, it’s so much more complicated than that.”

  I pulled in the school parking lot and parked my car. I remained in the car and told her about my conversation with Jack O’Maley last night, and how Dailan had gotten approval to take Ryan out of the country.

  “Wait, Dailan didn’t mention to you that he got the approval? His dad did?” I could tell by the tone in her voice that she felt it was wrong on Dailan’s part to have not said anything to me.

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Well if you really do love him and want to continue your relationship, then I think you guys need to sit down and figure out what’s going to happen once he leaves. Just remember you two aren’t the only ones involved in this. There’s a little boy who seems to be growing quite attached to you too!”

  I hung up the phone feeling disheartened. I had grown quite attached to Ryan too. I thought about the picture of him and his mother sitting on the mantle. Would I soon be someone else that he grew to love that he would have to say goodbye to as well?

  I pulled myself together and prepared myself for the school day. I realized that I was super early when I walked in and the only other person who had greeted me was the school janitor. I walked down to my classroom and decided to get working on my April bulletin board. I jammed my finger with the stapler and I wasn’t very pleased. Just when I thought my mood couldn’t have gotten any worse – Mrs. Aymes was standing in my doorway. I was glad that I had opted to skip breakfast because I was quite sure my stomach would have been churning ten times worse than it already was.

  “Hi, can I help you with something?” I asked, trying to sound as professional as possible.

  She walked closer to where I was standing. “Well, actually, I came in to get Cameron’s work from yesterday and today – he has the flu,” she said rather snidely. I knew that this was not the real reason for her visit. She knew better than anyone did what the proper protocol was for collecting missed assignments. Still, I went to Cameron’s desk and began to pull out the books that he needed in an effort to get her out of my classroom as soon as possible.

  “You know, the flu is still going around really bad,” she said. I didn’t lift my head from Cameron’s desk, although I did find her attempt at small talk a little odd. “So you should really watch kissing guys in bars – wouldn’t want the teacher getting sick now,” she added once I finally looked up.

  I wasn’t sure how to respond. I knew what I wanted to say, but if I wanted to keep my job, I needed to re-think that response. “Here are all the books Cameron will need. Yesterday’s assignments are on my webpage. I will be updating it with today’s assignments this afternoon,” I said as I tried handing her the books.

  “You know, come to think of it, that guy you were kissing looked very familiar. Almost like the uncle of one of your students,” she said, finally taking the books out of my hand.

  “If you don’t need anything else, Mrs. Aymes, I have some work I need to finish up.”

  “Actually I do have something else for you. I want you and Mrs. Kane to stop singling out my son for everything that goes wrong in this classroom and maybe I won’t have to tell my friends on the Board of Ed that sweet little Miss Morgan was making out with Ryan O’Maley’s uncle.”

  I never wanted to smack someone so badly in my life. But I refused to let her get the best of me and stayed calm. “You do what you have to do, Mrs. Aymes. But my job while I’m in this classroom is to teach the kids right from wrong. So if a child is misbehaving or doing something inappropriate, then I’m not going to ignore it just because his mother thinks she has something to hold over my head. What I do with my personal life is nobody’s business but my own.” I was so proud of myself for the way that I handled her, even though on the inside my stomach was in knots.

  “Well, clearly it is my business when you’re favoring his nephew over the other students.” She was relentless with trying to egg me on, but I wasn’t biting.

  “I’ll have today’s assignments on the webpage at the end of the day. Have a nice day.” I went back to my bulletin board and started stapling as if she weren’t even standing there. I could still feel her standing there for a few seconds. I heard her finally leave when she must have realized that I wasn’t going to play her game.

  I sat back down at my desk and realized that my hands were shaking. I decided that I needed to come clean with Valerie. I didn’t want her being caught off guard by hearing a twisted version from someone else. I called down to the office to see if she was there. She told me that she would take a walk down to see me. I waited anxiously for her to arrive.

  “Hey, that bulletin board looks great!” she said as she entered.

  “Thanks,” I said, trying my best to muster a smile.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, apparently seeing the apprehension on my face.

  I held nothing back. I told her that I had been seeing Dailan for the past four months. I continued, telling her about my visit from Mrs. Aymes and her threat that she had made if I didn’t abide by her wishes.

  I waited in angst for her response. “You did the right thing,” she said. “Don’t even entertain anything she says.”

  “Valerie, you know that I would never let my outside relationships interfere with my job.”

  “Nicole, you don’t have to prove yourself to me. I know what a great teacher you are and so do the people that matter. She does know a few people on the Board of Ed, but for the most part, everyone pretty much knows what she is all about. Just ride out these next few months as best as you can and then next year Cameron and his mom will be some poor third grade teacher’s problem.”

  I felt better that I had confided in Valerie, but I was still on edge for the rest of the day. I checked my messages at the end of the day to find
a text from Dailan:

  I have to go on a last-minute trip to Boston, be back tomorrow. I’ll call you later.

  I was hoping that I would hear from him soon, I felt like I needed to talk to him about what had happened with Mrs. Aymes. Even though I knew his response would be something very inappropriate, I still felt better every time I talked to him about something that was bothering me.

  I put my phone back in my purse, relishing the thought of an early night in my pajamas in front of the TV. I was going to try my best to put Mrs. Aymes and her threat out of my mind. There was no use worrying about something that was out of my hands. I was just about to leave for the day when my classroom phone began to ring.

  “Hello,” I answered anxious of who it could be.

  “Nicole, it’s Valerie, can you come and see me on your way out?”

  Somehow, from the sound of her voice, I knew that my worries about Mrs. Aymes weren’t going to rest as easily as I had hoped.

  Chapter 38

  I walked into Valerie’s office, apprehensive of what my presence was needed for. Valerie sat at her desk, signaling for me to shut the door behind me. I sat down at her desk as my stomach began to churn.

  “Well, our friend got a hold of Dr. Joyner,” she said.

  I looked down at the floor, not knowing what to say.

  “I’m so glad that you told me everything, Nicole, so I wasn’t blind-sided.”

  “What did she say?” I asked.

  “Oh, basically that you and I are picking on her son. And she made sure that she told him about your relationship with Mr. O’Maley.”

  “Valerie, that is my personal life. I don’t see why she has to drag that into anything.”

  “I completely understand, Nicole. I explained to Dr. Joyner and he seems to understand as well. I just want you to be prepared in case she shows up at the Board of Ed meeting tonight and tries to rip you up.”

  “Great,” I sighed.

  “Nicole, I support you on this. I’ve seen what a difference you’ve made this past year with your class –with all of the children, not just Ryan.”

  Valerie’s backing on this meant a lot to me. “Thanks, Valerie.”

  “You’re welcome. If it makes you feel any better, I think she may hate me just as much as she hates you.”

  I gave her a quick smile and got up to leave.

  “Go home and get a good night sleep,” she said.

  I arrived home and immediately changed into my pajamas. I could feel my head actually throbbing as I began to surmise what was taking place at the Board of Ed meeting right now. I knew that it was only a matter of time before all of the other parents would be hearing about whatever distorted story Mrs. Aymes would be spinning. Stories spread around that school like wildfire. I still hadn’t heard from Dailan and I was unsure if even hearing his voice would put me at ease at this particular moment. I dialed his number and patiently waited for him to answer. After the fifth ring, I realized that he was probably tied up with work and waited for his voicemail message to end.

  Hey, Dailan, it’s me. Give me a call when you get a chance. I really need someone to talk to. I miss you lots….bye.

  It was only 8 p.m., but it felt like midnight to me. I was so tired; I went into to my bedroom to lie down, taking my phone with me in case Dailan called, soon falling into a deep sleep.

  I woke up extra early from all the extra sleep I had gotten. I immediately checked my phone; no calls from Dailan. I felt heaviness in my chest and stinging in my eyes. Last night of all nights, I needed to talk to him.

  I jumped into the shower, trying to prepare myself for what lay ahead today after the drama from yesterday and the meeting last night. I left for work a half hour earlier than normal. My stomach was in knots. Caffeine always helped me feel a little better, so I decided to stop at the coffee shop on my way in. I pulled into the parking lot and was half tempted to text Dailan, but I found that I was a little angry with him for not calling me last night. I knew I was being a little silly and there was probably a good reason for it, but still I put my phone away, deciding not to text him.

  I walked into the coffee shop, feeling a little better as I breathed in the heavy aroma of coffee beans. I looked up at the menu, finally deciding on a raspberry eruption. I stood off to the side, waiting to pay.

  “Hi, Nicole.” I turned around to see Rick Kincaide, who had just finished ordering his coffee.

  “Oh, hi,” I said, feeling like a traitor for even talking to him.

  “I had to get my double dose of caffeine. I had an early flight from Boston this morning.”

  Suddenly my ears perked up. I felt a little sneaky trying to get information about Dailan from his worst enemy. I nodded, hoping that he would offer some up – which didn’t take too long.

  “Are you and O’Maley still together?”

  I nodded. “Yes, we are.” I couldn’t get the words out quickly enough.

  “Oh, I just assumed that maybe you weren’t. Well, with all the women that he had hanging on him at the client party last night. Of course, he was a little drunk.”

  I looked at him expressionlessly. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he was pissing me off.

  The cashier rang me up as Rick nudged me out of the way. “I got this,” he said.

  “Oh no, that’s okay,” I said, but it was too late. He was already collecting his change from the cashier.

  “Well, thank you, Mr. Kincaide.” I was feeling very uncomfortable, knowing that Dailan wouldn’t be very happy if he knew that I allowed him to buy me coffee. But then I remembered right now, I wasn’t very happy with Dailan either, if what I was just told was true.

  “Please call me ‘Rick.’ Have a good day, Nicole.”

  I tried my best to force a smile as I walked out the door, feeling worse about the day already and I hadn’t even gotten to work yet. No wonder why I never heard from Dailan last night. I cringed, thinking about what might have happened. But then I reminded myself of the source of this information.

  I was backing out of my parking spot when I heard my phone ringing. I quickly looked down to see that it was Dailan and immediately sent it to voicemail. I didn’t want to take a chance of getting into it with him before I had to go to work. I had enough on my mind and I needed to save my energy for the day that lay ahead. I told myself on the drive to work that I wasn’t going to listen to his voicemail until the end of the day. I was unable to keep that promise. I was typing the password for my voicemail as fast as I could by the time I pulled into the school parking lot.

  Hey, Nicole, sorry I didn’t call you last night. I’ll talk to you later, beautiful. Have a good day.

  Whatever, I said to myself. This was exactly why I didn’t want to be in a relationship. Because right now I could be focusing on other things like my job, instead of what Dailan did or didn’t do last night. Not to mention, I wouldn’t have to be worried about my job right now if I weren’t in this relationship.

  I poked my head into the main office to see if Valerie was in yet. I knew that she attended the meeting last night and even though I didn’t want to know what happened, I couldn’t help myself. Her secretary was on the phone, but shook her head, signaling that it was okay to go in. I lightly knocked on her door, which was half open, and walked in.

  “Well, am I going to be burned at the stake?” I asked, trying my best to make light of the situation.

  Valerie smiled. “Well, she got up and spoke, bashing you and me,” she said, trying to make the blow seem a little less harsh.

  “Did she mention anything about…?” I could feel the coffee churning in my stomach as I waited for Valerie’s reply.

  Valerie gave me a sympathetic smile and I could tell just by the look on her face that I didn’t want to hear what she was going to say. “Well, she said that she witnessed you outside of work acting very inappropriately with a man. Then she didn’t mention any names, but she asked what the rules were for a teacher dating a legal guardian of on
e of her students.”

  “Acting inappropriately? I kissed him, Valerie, that was it!”

  “Nicole, you don’t have to explain to me. I think I know you well enough to know that you wouldn’t go around doing something tasteless with random men in bars.”

  “Yes, you know that, but everyone else at the meeting probably now thinks I’m some floozy who goes around groping the parents of my students in bars,” I said, getting more disheartened by the minute.

  “Well if it makes you feel any better, Ryan’s Aunt Lisa was there. Her daughter was getting an award. She got up and spoke very kindly on your behalf.”

  “What do you think is going to happen now?” I asked.

  “Honestly, nothing. I could tell you right now there’s nothing in the handbook that addresses parent-teacher relationships. Just give it a few more weeks and she will be on some new crusade.”

  “I guess I’m just going to have to try and ignore the whispers and speculation behind my back.” I said, worrying about the perception that was now out there about me.

  “Nicole, when you’ve been in the education business as long as I’ve been, this will seem like nothing. Just hold your head up high. You did nothing wrong.”

  * * *

  I went through the day completely on edge, feeling much like one of my students, afraid that I would be called down to the principal’s office at any given moment for some other tale that Mrs. Aymes was spinning. I was thankful that Cameron was out sick again today, which was one less problem I had to deal with. Ryan stayed for his Wednesday after school tutoring. I wasn’t sure if Dailan would be back from Boston to pick him up or not.

  I was both happy and disappointed when I saw Lisa come walking through the door. Happy, because I was still annoyed with Dailan and disappointed because as annoyed as I was - I missed him.

  “Hey, Ryan, we got to get moving,” Lisa said in a hurried voice.

  Ryan quickly gathered up his things. Lisa finally looked at me giving me a warm smile. “There are days when I feel like I’m going crazy, and this is one of them!” she said, looking a little frazzled.