Page 30 of No Place Like Home

Before I put the phone away, I typed Jess a message.

The season was in full swing, and I was out for another ring. I wanted it so bad I could taste it. My first one was great, but I wasn’t the starting QB. This time, if I went all the way, I would know it was all me. I waited for Jess's response for ten minutes until she finally sent me a GIF. I shook my head and fell asleep with a smile on my face.

That girl made me feel like I wasn’t anyone of importance.

And I liked that.

CHAPTERNINE

“Miss Jess.”One of my students, Charlie, spoke from where he stood across from my desk.

I looked up from my work and gave him my undivided attention.

Charlie looked back to his peers and then put his left hand to the side of his mouth and whispered. “I have to go potty.”

I wanted to groan, but stopped myself before doing so. I had just taken them all to go potty like ten minutes ago. I really wished Sunny Pines had teacher assistants I could leave in charge of the classroom. I didn’t want an accident, so I called the office so they could send someone—probably Martha, the lunch lady—so she could keep an eye on the kids.

Once the office sent Martha in, I walked out with Charlie at my side. He stayed close to me the whole way to the bathrooms. I opened the boys’ door and waited for him to go in, except he wasn’t moving.

“Miss Jess,” he took hold of my hand.

“Yes?” I answered hesitantly. I didn’t do wiping.

“I’m scared. Is Michael going to be there?” he whispered.

“Michael’s in class.”

“No. Mr. Myers,” he insisted.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“You mean Michael Myers from the movie?” I asked.

He nodded.

Oh, boy. I wasn’t good at this whole comfort thing. I kneeled and got at eye level with Charlie and grabbed both his hands.

“Sweetheart, he’s not real.” I used my teacher's voice with him, which was usually enough to soothe the kiddos.

“My brother says he is, but the grown-ups don’t want us to know, and that he’s going to get me for playing with his Xbox.”

Great. Now I would have to snitch on his brother, because I was going to tell his mom about his fear so the poor kid didn’t get more traumatized.

“I’ll tell you what, you can use the teachers’ bathroom. I’ll wait outside, and guard the door. Yeah?”

“Okay.” He smiled at me, and I grinned back at him.

I was waiting for him when I pulled out my phone to see I had a few missed texts.

Blake: I’m leaving earlier. I won’t see you again until next week. I’ll miss you.

Me: I’m sure you’ll be gasping for air cause I’m not near.

Juliet: If you don’t come for dinner soon, we will show up and invite ourselves to dinner at your place.

Juliet: Expecting you to cook for us.

Juliet: With hungry eyes.

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