As a teacher, I’d been through enough training to know my best course of action with James was to simply keep an eye out for patterns that seemed more serious. No good could come of making him aware of my suspicions. Ditto trying to tell him how beautiful he was. It was his journey. As much as it pained me to see James uncomfortable, I resolved to be as good of friend to him as I could, to show him how much I liked and admired him.
We went outsideto put up the exterior decorations. As we worked, I attempted to ask James more questions about himself. After my revelation about his body-consciousness, I realized there was still so much I wanted to learn about him. But every time I tried to ask about his history or his experiences, he answered vaguely. Or he’d turn the conversation around to safer subjects, like school events and whether he should join the bowling league.
Slightly frustrated, I let the silence reign for a moment while we concentrated on getting the lights up on the roof edges. James insisted on being the one to climb the ladder while I held it steady beneath him. I took advantage of the opportunity to admire his perfect backside until a familiar white Chevy pulling up to the curb interrupted me.
“Hey, Marley,” Coach Hurley called out as he stepped from the driver’s seat.
“Hi Coach,” I replied. “What brings you out here?”
“I’m on my way back into town. Went out to my son’s place in Post Falls for dinner yesterday. Thought I’d stop by and check on you.” He looked down at my sweater and threw an arm over his face. “My eyes! Too bright! Make it stop.”
I laughed. Like most of my colleagues, Coach Hurley had been very solicitous since my mom passed away. I wanted to be annoyed with him for intruding on my butt-ogling, but how could I honestly be mad about someone caring? It’s like I’d been saying to James for months about small towns. People were going to be in your business, and you kind of just had to be okay with it.
“Well, thanks for stopping by, but as you can see, I’m doing great. James is here.” I pointed up to the top of the ladder.
“Yes. I saw Mr. Wymack when I pulled up.” Coach glanced up and shouted, “Hello!”
James made a quick descent to the ground before reaching out to shake the other man’s hand. Coach made wide eyes over James’s fitted maroon track pants, beaded hematite bracelets, and vintage Joy Division t-shirt before shrugging his shoulders and saying, “I knew you guys werefriends. But I didn’t realize you were already the Thanksgiving and decorating for Christmas together type of friends.” He darted his eyes back and forth between us.
Good lord. It was one thing to get questioning glances because we sat together in faculty meetings. The last thing I needed was for other teachers in the school to read too much into James and me hanging out over the weekend. I’d spent the last five years fending off my colleagues’ well-intended introductions to their nephews and neighbors’ little brothers. I knew it was because they worried about me and wanted me to be happy. But still. This needed to be nipped in the bud. Matchmaking was not on the approved list of planned Christmas activities for the Coleman Creek staff.
“Don’t go starting rumors,” I admonished. “James didn’t come here for Thanksgiving dinner, and he’s helping put up lights since my sisters couldn’t stay. It’s not like I could have held the ladder for myself.”
“I didn’t have anywhere else to be,” James chimed in. “Marley’s doing me a favor, giving me an excuse to do something fun. I would have spent the entire weekend watching TV and reading eleventh graders’ thoughts on the legacy of Manifest Destiny.”
“You didn’t go see your family?”
“We FaceTimed. I’ll go home for Christmas.”
I saw the moment Coach’s nosy interest morphed into true concern for James.
“You’re doing okay in town, though, right son?” he asked. “I don’t like to think of a new teacher being alone for the holidays when there are plenty of friendly folks around here.”
“I’m grateful,” James replied sincerely. “Marley offered for Thanksgiving. So did Travis—um, Mr. Bloxham—but I’m really fine. I feel very welcome.” He looked over at me before continuing, “Besides, it all worked out. I can’t think of anyplace I’d rather be right now.”
At that, Coach volleyed his eyes between us again.Not helping, James.Coach looked like he was about to say more, so I played my best hand.
“C’mon, Coach. James and I are both adults and can manage ourselves. Leave it be. Or I’m going to tell Principal Nadal the truth about who covered every item in his office with aluminum foil for Halloween.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Wouldn’t I?”
“It was a bonding experience for the team!”
“Which led to a bonding experience for the custodian and the district maintenance guy.”
“Alright, alright. Don’t worry. My lips are sealed about this.” He moved his finger back and forth between me and James.
“There’s nothing to seal them about but thank you,” I said.
Coach made a disbelieving tsking noise before pointing upwards. “James, that strand up there is hanging funny. Looks crooked.”
I lifted my eyes. “It is not! It’s totally straight.”
James grinned and scurried back up the ladder. “Let me make sure it’s just right.”
Coach spoke once James was out of earshot. “I’m only looking out for you, kiddo.” He raised his chin and glanced at the top of the ladder. “You deserve it to be ‘just right.’ Don’t settle for anything less.”
