Page 93 of Call Me Mrs. Taylor

It’s my mama in the family group chat. I texted them an article the Decatur Daily wrote on the bridge. My picture was front and center.

I’m not one for the spotlight, but the piece was really good, diving into my background and why I was chosen to head up the project.

Gifted and talented. STEM summer camps. Honored as a teenager by the National Society of Black Engineers. Seven-fifty on my math SAT. Full ride to Tech. Hired at Blackmon Engineering Group right out of undergrad. Worked full time while getting my master’s. Reading it, I thought to myself, Self? You’re pretty fucking impressive.

I open the chat, eager to see what my mama has to say.

Ma

That’s a really nice picture of you

I set my phone facedown on the desk and open my laptop, unsure of why I expected anything other than what I just got.

It’s all good.

Bigger fish to fry.

I spend the next half hour doing research on a most unscientific subject: Raya Ashford.

The woman is an enigma, or maybe I’m just not good at researching people. The only thing I manage to find is a tag on a Facebook post from the daycare she works at from two years ago. A holiday play the kids put on.

Alright. Time to pivot.

Raymond Ashford is just as elusive. I only know his name because Tori said it in conversation. She’s almost as guarded as Raya, but I managed to glean a few relevant data points.

Here we go.

An old article in an employee archive.

Raymond Ashford Retires from Delta Air Lines Following Tragic Accident.

I lean in and click.

The article is vague as hell—no details, just the standard corporate boilerplate. Dedicated employee, decades of service, stepping down due to unforeseen circumstances. Tragic accident is mentioned once, but it doesn’t say what it was.

Maybe something at work.

I wonder if I can get into OSHAs records.

Before I can spiral, my phone buzzes again.

Raya

OMG! I’m so proud of you, babe! I’m just now getting a chance to sit and read this thing, and I have literal tears in my eyes. They really captured your passion and your brilliance. I’m in awe of you, baby. I really am. And I feel so lucky to be your lady. You are a KING! As long as I’m around, your crown will always shine

I read it. Smile. Read it again.

Fuck.

I read that shit one more time, then close out of my texts just as Javon rings through.

I’m popular today.

“What’s up?” I answer.

He doesn’t even bother with a greeting.

“Ayo, what’s the deal with the teacher chick?”

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