I’m glad you’ll be in the photo. He adores you.
Relief lifts the temporary weight from my ribs as I read her messages.
“Mr. McAllister, do we have to restate the question in our answers?” Joseph asks.
I bob my head. “Answer each question as if a question weren't asked at all.” What they don’t know is that these five, short-answer questions, if answered correctly, will be the bones outline of their papers.
I text Clara June back.
In front of the athletic office, after practice
That's where the photo is, in case he didn’t tell you
You know teens well
He told me the time, but not the place
Looking forward to seeing you
The night I got home from her place, after learning she’d orgasmed in my arms after years of thinking it was no longer possible, I jerked off. Twice. Back to back.
Then I texted her.
I told her that I’d had a great time, and that I cared deeply for her, but I understood the need to move slowly. She told me she’d had a great time, too, and invited me to dinner the very next night.
That was yesterday.
When Tanner and Rawley didn’t show up at school, I texted her to make sure everything was okay, and it was then she informed me that her whole house had caught the stomach bug going around town. She was the only one holding strong, but after taking care of three sick boys—one which has yet to master making it to the toilet on time—I have to ask how she’s feeling.
Tanner’s back in class today, but he looks a little pale, and I question if he’s pushing through just to get playing time this Friday, his first game back. School rules–can’t miss more than a day of school in a game week if you want to play. The rule subconsciously solidifies the importance of classes, and I support it. Equally, I don’t want Tanner to overdo it and wind up sick and sore.
Tanner’s back in class I see. How are the other two holding up? How are you?
She writes back right away, and I envision her pressed between the kitchen and the hostess station, wearing her second skin waitress uniform, an apron tied to her front. Stealing time out of her day to text me.
I don’t know how or why I deserve it, but I cling to it with both hands.
So far, unaffected. Tired, though.
Tanner only went because he wants to play on Friday
I assumed
Can I do anything to help?
Is Rawley at home with Archie?
She doesn’t respond right away to that message, and I can envision her being pulled away by senior citizens who can’t seat themselves. I don’t know if she ever caught up on rest after Tanner’s accident, and in the last few days, she likely hasn’t slept much. I only want to make things better for her, and as that thought occurs, she writes me back.
Yeah–Rawley could’ve probably gone today but truthfully, he didn’t have anything due and he didn’t want to, and Archie wasn’t ready so he stayed home and took care of his brother
Rawley called about an hour ago saying Archie is turning the corner
Fingers crossed I’m done chasing around a five-year-old with a puke bowl
Are you heading straight from the diner to the field house, for the photo?
Yes
