Page 80 of Teaching Tanner
“Okay. Is there anything I can do?”
“Send me some valium?” she says, and we both laugh.
“I’m sure she’ll be grateful… and hopefully less demanding than usual.”
“You think? Personally, I have my doubts.”
“Well… call me if you need to talk.” I hear a rustling in the background. “What are you doing?” I ask.
“I’m packing a few things. Your aunt might only live ten miles away, but I don’t want to come back here every day.”
“Because she’ll keep you busy doing other things?”
“Probably,” she says, sounding fed up already. “How’s everything going with you?”
“Fine,” I say, smiling.
“Has something happened?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because I know my own daughter, and she never normally sounds so dreamy.”
I hadn’t realized I did, and I shake my head, even though Mom can’t see me. “Okay… I’ve met someone.”
“I take it this isn’t Russ?” she says.
“No. I got it wrong with him. He’s engaged to a nurse, and they live together in Concord.”
“Oh… that’s a shame.”
“No, it’s not. They’re very happy.”
“And presumably you’ve met someone else?”
“Yes. His name’s Tanner. He owns a bookshop.”
“Owns it?” I can hear the surprise in her voice and realize I’m going to have to explain.
“He’s older than me.”
“How much older?”
“He’s thirty-four.” I decide I might as well tell her everything. “He’s divorced… and he’s got an eight-year-old son called Nash, who lives with his mom during the week and with Tanner at the weekends.”
There’s a silence that stretches just a little too far, although I know Mom’s still there. I can hear her breathing.
“Goodness,” she says eventually. “This must be serious, if he’s introduced you to his son already.”
“He hasn’t,” I reply. “Not as his girlfriend.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means Nash knows me as Miss Howell, the kindergarten teacher.”
“Wait a second… are you saying Nash is a student at your school?”
“Yes.”
