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.”

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