Page 4 of Releasing Reenie

“Your holiday?” I reminded her.

This is where I saw a visible change in her. Her shoulders lowered, her jaw relaxed and her mouth formed a genuine smile. “First few days I spent grading papers, but I’ve finally settled into the break. It takes me days to relax.”

“So now that the papers are done, what’s been occupying your time? Shopping, bubble baths and romcoms?” It was the last thing I could picture her doing.

“I was taught things like that were frivolous and a waste of time.” Her words were succinct, and her tone serious.

“So what do you do for fun then?”

“Go shopping, take bubble baths and watch romcoms.”

I grinned. “No seriously.”

“I’ve been listening to smutty audiobooks and crocheting hats and mittens for the homeless. That way I’m being both productive and frivolous.”

“Admirable. Especially the smutty books,” I replied, winking at her.

“How about you? What’s keeping you busy?”

“Family stuff. I’ve got four younger half-sisters, who all invite me to their place for Christmas dinner. They each have two kids, all under ten. So shopping is monopolizing my time right now. Any clue what to buy for a three-year-old-girl?”

“Are Easy-Bake ovens still a thing?”

I grinned. “No nieces or nephews then. Got it.”

“Your parents?”

“Gone. My dad died when I was three and my mom remarried five years later. Her new husband was in the military and every time he came home on leave, she got pregnant. After the fourth, he stopped coming home. Mom passed when Ella, the oldest of my younger sisters, was still in high school. I raised them after that. Now my sisters fuss over me like I sacrificed my life for them and that’s why I’m not married with kids of my own.” I rolled my eyes.

“Soisthat why?”

“Not at all. Haven’t found anyone worthy yet.” I winked, watching her roll her gray eyes. It was a cocky thing to say but it was part of my slightly over-the-top persona.

The waitress dropped off our drinks and asked if we were ready, but we hadn’t even picked up our menus. There was a minute or two of silence as we both looked it over quickly, and made our choices known.

“Do you have siblings, Maureen?”

The ice in my glass clinked as I took a swallow. She picked up her wine and took a delicate sip, her lips leaving a smear of red on the glass’s rim.

“Only child. Single mother.”

“So this is why you’re such a strong woman,” I said, offering my observation. The corner of her lip folded in between her teeth and she swallowed.

“Something like that.” Turning her head to the side, she assessed me. “And your situation is why you relate so well to your students?why you have a ‘cool dad’ vibe.”

“A ‘cool dad’ vibe?” I questioned with a chuckle. Inwardly, my gut tightened. It was a perfect opening for the discussion I wanted to have but I wasn’t ready yet. I wanted to stay hopeful a little longer?enjoy lowering Maureen’s guard.

“Yes, it’s quite intriguing to watch.”

My brows rose. “What is?”

“You interacting with your students.”

“Are you stalking me, Maureen?”

“Of course not. I’m just observant.”

That I knew to be true. She watched everything, was cautious, always thought before she spoke, and seemed to be constantly aware of her surroundings. I’d wondered on more than one occasion what made her this way. Was there trauma in her past? I shook my head. No, she wasn’t jumpy and didn’t scare easily. But there was definitely something. And I’d figure it out.

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