Page 26 of Mr. Broody

Bodhi

Daddy finally got me to school early. I hug him goodbye really fast and run inside so I can be the first one in the classroom.

“Slow down, Bodhi,” Mrs. Hassels says, so I just walk really fast.

I haven’t been first all year. Waylon and Owen made it sound cool for me to be late, but they were pretending. Everyone knows first is better than last.

When I get to my classroom, I run in and stop by the doorway.

That’s not Mrs. McConnell.

Did I go into the wrong room?

No. Mrs. McConnell’s chair is there by the window that looks out at the big brown house with all the pretty flowers.

“Who are you?” I ask.

The lady turns around, and I almost stop breathing.

It’s her.

She looks like I scared her. Then she smiles. “I’m Miss Jade. Have a seat, and we’ll talk about Mrs. McConnell once everyone arrives.”

I walk over to my cubby and hang up my backpack and coat.

More kids come in and ask her questions, but she tells them to sit down too.

I slide into my seat and watch her.

She’s really pretty.

That must be why Daddy stares at her picture all the time.

Eleven

Henry

“I don’t want to wear this,” Bodhi whines, trying to unbutton the top button of his dress shirt.

“Everyone else will be wearing something similar.” I wrap the tie around his neck and lower his hands to his side.

“It’s itchy,” he whines.

“Come on. You’re the one who always wants to be on time. If you keep fighting me, we’ll be late.” I try to tie his tie quickly, realizing that I should’ve tied it and then put it on him because tying a tie on someone else isn’t as easy as the movies make it look.

“Micha was jealous, Daddy. He asked if I slept at school because I got there so early again.” He laughs.

It’s the best sound in the world.

“I think I get dad points for being early two days in a row.”

It wasn’t easy, but I realized I needed to stop dwelling on the Jade thing. She has my number too and hasn’t used it either. Maybe this is our new normal. Maybe we’ll be in the same city and never see one another. Not act on our longing for one another. I hate it, but addressing all our issues and realizing nothing will ever change for us isn’t a conversation I want to have.

“For sure, Daddy.” He stares at me while I concentrate on the knot of his tie, making it as perfect as I can.

There’s something in his eyes tonight… it’s the same look he gets when he’s pulling a prank. Like the time he was waiting for me to pee because Tweetie told him to put Saran Wrap on the toilet. But unless he decides to embarrass himself at the concert tonight, I can’t think of what kind of prank he could be planning.

“There you go. All done.” I squeeze his shoulder then lower him off the bathroom counter. His hands immediately go to the tie. “I get it, but you only have to wear it for a few hours. Right after the concert, you can take off the tie and unbutton your shirt, I promise.”

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