Page 19 of When You Left Me Speechless

Poppy: Mine was interesting!

Andrea: Do tell?

Poppy: Let’s get drinks soon? It’s too long of a story... Lol

Andrea: Well, now I’m intrigued!

Nicole: Me toooo!

Andrea: I’m coming back this weekend. Want to do something on Sunday before I head back to Savannah?

Nicole: That works for me!

Andrea: Just name the time and place, and I’ll be there, babe! I need to hear all the tea!

Poppy: We could do brunch at Hattie’s? 11 am?

Andrea: I’m there!

Nicole: Me too!

After ten minutes of texting my friends and staring at the wall, I muster up the courage to return to his classroom. When I walk in, he and Beth are still seated at his desk looking at his laptop. “Sorry, it took so long. I couldn’t find my charging cord.” I set my computer down on one of the desks before returning to the chair that he grabbed for me before I left.

“Logan was showing me the vocabulary Freddie will need to know before the next test.” Beth turns the laptop in my direction so I can see it. I nod and lean over to read what is on the screen. We spend the remaining time combing through Freddie’s IEP and ensuring we have a game plan. I make sure to keep Beth between us like a buffer.

“I thought I could come twice a week starting next week. I have a bunch of strategies I can try with him, and I know what Beth’s been doing, so I thought I would just jump off from there.”

“That sounds great,” he says. “Monday and Thursday would probably be best for me. Does that work for you?”

I look at Beth.

“It does,” she answers.

“I think he could use more help during his reading class, which starts at nine forty, but you can always come to writing if you need. I think that class starts at twelve thirty-five.” He shuffles some papers around and looks at a printed schedule.

“Reading is perfect,” I say.

“Awesome, I’m looking forward to working with you.”

God, why can’t he just be a dick?

“You ready to go?” Beth asks, gathering her belongings.

“Yep, thanks for meeting with us,” I say, looking at him. Iwalk over and pick up my laptop and charging cord from the desk.

“Really glad you ran and got your laptop,” he says, the corner of his mouth tips up into a subtle grin. “Don’t know how we would have got through the meeting without it.”

Beth cuts her eyes at him before turning and looking at me.

“Don’t listen to him.”

I can feel my cheeks blush. A dozen smart-ass comebacks pop into my head, but I don’t dare say them. I turn and walk out the door instead.

CHAPTER 10: CLICHE, BUT TRUE

POPPY

Poppy: Girls night tonight? I miss you!

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