Page 44 of When You Left Me Speechless

“So, um, why did you become a teacher?” she asks.

“My parents divorced when I was five. I was always getting into trouble and acting out. I was a smart kid, but my mom worked a lot of weekends and nights, so I spent a lot of time by myself. I didn’t understand why she was never home as a kid, so I acted out to get her attention. I had a male principal in elementary school who took me under his wing and helped me see if I stayed out of trouble, it was better for me and my mom. I have always wanted to be that person for someone else.”

“That’s amazing. So, is that your goal, to become a principal?”

“Eventually,” he nods. “I got my master’s in Educational Leadership last year and passed the certification test, so I’vebeen waiting for a position in our district to open. The assistant principal position at Pecan Grove became available and I interviewed for it today.”

“Oh, that’s great. How did it go?” she smiles.

“Good, I think. I’m hopeful they will pick me, but you never know.”

“You’ll have to keep me posted on what happens. I’m sure you’ll get it. You're so good with the kids.”

Damn, I like hearing her telling me I’m good at something.

“So, are you from around here?” I ask.

“Kinda, I lived a few towns over in Grantville as a kid. My parents and my sister still live there. After graduating, Lacey got a job at Dogwood Manor, and I moved in with her. You?”

“No, we moved around a lot when I was young. My mom moved to town when I was in college. After I graduated, I worked for a different school in the city. It was great, but I’m all my mom has. When I saw there was an opening a few years ago, I moved here to be closer to her. Jacks was subleasing his room, so I moved in with Tanner. I moved out when my sublease ended.”

“Jacks is Tanner’s roommate?”

“Yeah, he travels for work, so he is rarely here.” She nods. Judy brings the bill. Poppy reaches out to grab it. “I’ll get it,” I say, quickly grabbing the check and pulling out my wallet.

“You are not buying me dinner.”

“I don’t mind.”

“No, this was not a date. I will pay for mine.” She pulls out her debit card and stares me down. Judy returns for the bill. “Please split it,” she says, handing her card to the waitress.

She takes our cards and walks away. The rain is still coming down and a loud clash of thunder makes Poppy jump.

“Looks like it’s going to storm all night,” I say, holding up the weather app on my phone. “Let me drive you home?” Islip my phone in my pocket and it immediately starts vibrating again. I pull it out to see my dad’s name. Twice in less than an hour? He doesn’t know when to quit. I silence the call and put my phone away.

“You can answer it.”

“No, it's alright, it’s nothing important.” I don’t want him ruining my night with her, so I change the subject before she can say anything else. “So, what’s it gonna be, chatterbox? You going to let me drive you home?”

She laughs, “Goodness, what is with you and that nickname?”

“Well, for starters, I’ve never met someone who talks as much as you.” She rolls her eyes.

“And let me guess, you nickname all the women in your life?”

“There are no other women.” She stares at me. Her eyes shift up and down like she is trying to figure me out. She opens her mouth, and before she can say anything, I interrupt her, “You don’t like it?” I don't tell her it might be my favorite thing about her. That I could listen to her talk everyday. The way she lights up when she talks about something she is passionate about or how she rambles when she is nervous. I don’t tell her because I know it’ll complicate things.

“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s growing on me, I guess.” Her cheeks blush, and she starts playing with her hair again.

“Well, yeah, so, you talk a lot and are a speech therapist, so it seemed to suit you.” I laugh nervously, which makes her smile. “So, you’ll let me drive you home?”

“If you take me home, I won’t have my car in the morning. Lacey gets to work early on Thursdays, so she won’t be able to drop me off.”

“Then I’ll pick you up and drive you. I can jump your car when we get to the school.”

I can see in her eyes that she is contemplating her options, and then she nods. Judy returns with our cards and we makea run for my truck. The drive to her apartment is only ten minutes. I’m lost in my thoughts the entire time. Two months ago, I didn’t know this girl, and now I have to fight my feelings for her because I know all we can be is friends. We pull into the parking lot and I park my truck in a spot in front of her apartment.

CHAPTER 28: WHAT’S WRONG WITH A LITTLE STRESS-RELIEF?

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