Page 97 of Gifts

“I do,” I counter, softening my voice. “I’m sorry.”

He exhales, exasperated, putting a hand to the island and drops his head to look at the floor.

“I’ll explain to Knox and Saylor this afternoon,” I say at the same time dreading it as a pain shoots through me. “Tell Levi and Emma I’ll see them at school.”

He looks up to me, his voice gravely and pleading. “Baby.”

My eyes start to sting and I pick up my coffee and bag. There’s no way I can look back. I can’t stand myself but I also can’t stand the fear. And it doesn’t matter if my marriage was all but over when David died—if that was bad, losing Asa would absolutely kill me. I wouldn’t be able to live through it.

The last thing I hear when I pull the garage door shut is him calling for me one last time. “Keelie, don’t do this. Dammit!”

I didn’t know it was possible for one to break their own heart, but I think I just managed it.

*****

It’s been the longest day—two days, really, bleeding into one. I’ve never been able to operate on little sleep, but here I am. Asa’s last words have rung through my head all day and knowing I’ll be going home to an empty house is more than depressing.

It’s downright painful.

The new information about Emma seeing two people possibly compromising the car Brandon and Kyler were killed in has been the centerpiece of the day. The police have taken over and have been questioning students all morning. I’ve barely kept up with everything as it is, but I do know two more seniors have been taken to the police station for further interrogation. This is not good for our school and I think it’s safe to say we’re all ready for the year to be over with.

It’s just after lunch and I’m sitting in a meeting about graduation that no one has time for given all the activity of the day. We’re supposed to be looking over speech submissions for convocation, but instead, we’re waiting on Tom Logan.

Brett White is frustrated by the recent events and sighs. “He probably went somewhere and got held up at lunch. The sooner we get this over with, the better. I’ve got parents calling me left and right.”

I should really give more of an effort. These kids will only graduate from high school once and, let’s face it, a decent graduation is boring on a good day. It’s our job to put forth the best ceremony possible, especially when everyone is forced to sit through almost three-hundred students walking across the stage.

But I just can’t. Today, every speech sounds the same. I might become cross-eyed if I have to look at them any longer and find my mind wandering.

“Everyone agrees?” Mr. White asks.

Shit, I have no idea what he’s talking about.

Since I don’t care anyway. I nod and stand to leave. None of them sucked, so I’m sure it will be fine in the end. It’ll just be a surprise at graduation.

I go back to my office and realize I have one more meeting, then I can go home. Home, to my empty house where I’ll have to explain to Knox that I sent away the only man who’s given him time in two years and that from now on Saylor’s going to have to read to me.

I decide to grab a cup of coffee from the teachers’ lounge first, so I won’t look like a zombie for the rest of the day.

When I head to my last meeting, I turn the corner and almost run into Tom—but he’s not alone. He’s frustrated as he talks to Maggie Stockton right outside a closed classroom door.

“Hey,” I interrupt, and they both startle, looking over at me. Maggie looks like someone just ran over her dog and when I look to Tom, he’s glaring at me. “You, ah, missed all the fun picking a speech.”

“Yeah, sorry.” He takes a deep breath. “I ran a quick errand over lunch and got a flat. I’m about to go and apologize to Mr. White, but had to speak to Maggie about her attendance.”

“Oh.” I haven’t kept tabs on Maggie, I’ve been too busy with my tornado of a life and my own students. “Flat tires suck. I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Took longer to change than I thought.” He looks back to Maggie. “Go back to class, but know this is your last warning.”

Maggie bites her lip, eager to get away. “Yes, Mr. Logan.”

Everyone seems to be in a hurry to escape, because Tom mumbles, “Sorry I missed the meeting. It won’t happen again.”

“Don’t worry. It’s all taken care of.”

He nods and shifts around me in a hurry. “Thanks.”

*****

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