Page 13 of Please, Sir

The woman from the farmers market flashes through my mind all over again. The gorgeous blonde with those little sandals that would’ve looked mighty good resting on my shoulders–she’s the one I saw Jo Jo with, she’s one of Jo Jo’s teachers. I can’t help but wonder… did she convince Jo Jo to cheer? “What do you know about her coach?” I ask vaguely, because I cannot remember Jo Jo’s coach’s name for the life of me. Though I know it’s written on a big list of shit taped to the fridge, as of now, I can’t recall.

“Miss Cadence? Oh she’s alright. Don’t know her too well since she teaches home economics and that’s not near my office but… she seems nice.”

More girls filter out, and my crotch gets hot when I see a swish of long, blonde hair, a white smile and two shining blue eyes. She’s petite, but she’s got more than a handful of breasts, and for some irritating reason, I find myself attracted to her.

She’s even managed to come to mind a few times during my extra long showers.

Though I got no reason, and no business, I keep staring at her until Dean follows my gaze.

“Oh that ain’t Miss Cadence. That’s Miss Riley Rivers, she’s the JV coach. The new health teacher, too.” He cracks the last seed, spitting the shell out between our boots. “Miss Riley is new to Bluebell this year.”

Riley Rivers. Just her name makes me warm, and bumps lift along my neck.

Then an elbow comes into my side, jarring me from staring at Riley. “Jo Jo,” Dean whispers, and I turn to see my daughter, her cheeks red with exhaustion, her hair pulled up in a ponytail with loose pieces sticking out, her gym bag over her shoulder.

“Hello? Let’s go.”

I look at Dean who smiles uncomfortably, adding, “Y’all have a nice night, now. Bye, Jo Jo.”

“Bye, Dean,” she says, jumping into the truck and slamming the door shut. I get into the driver’s seat and the next time I glance up at the pavilion in front of the gym, the blonde is gone.

Jo Jo clips her seatbelt and doesn’t look my way when she says, “Tryouts were tonight. I made the team.”

After showering her with congratulations that go unanswered, I drive us home, and Jo Jo ends up in her room after eating sandwiches with me in silence.

I made another flogger that night, followed by an extra long shower.

CHAPTER

FIVE

I bracemyself for yet another.

Of all of the buttons on my computer screen, that tiny little X has been my favorite. Clicking it in the last week has brought me much peace and joy. And on that note, I click the X, only to open yet another unread email.

Leah clicks into my classroom, today’s suit royal blue, her accent necklace a vivid pink, like bubble gum. I motion to her outfit. “I love it.”

She sinks into a student’s desk across from my desk and smiles. “Thank you. Me too. It makes the job a lot easier to look incredible.”

I smile. “I bet.” Refocusing on my screen, I read the next one, this time aloud. “Dear Miss Rivers, my son Jon did not need to know about how to get a girl pregnant at age fourteen, how could you corrupt him that way? I will be seeking legal action. Sincerely, Jacob Martin.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Legal action? I’m literally following the course guidelines approved by the State of California.”

Leah drums her nails on the desk. “These parents kill me. They think Jon didn’t know about sex until you started the reproduction unit at school? Jon is probably a master at incognito internet tabs, Jacob Martin.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m sorry, Riley. I guess I should’ve tried to warn youthat if you actually taught the core curriculum as planned, this would happen. Bluebell isn’t used to it. Mr. Cunningham really talked mostly about deodorant and brushing your teeth. They just… weren’t prepared.”

I nod, understanding the situation and trying desperately not to be depressed by all the negative attention coming my way. “I’m really only doing my job. The condoms are to keep my students focused. And honestly, it works.”

Leah roots around in the desk she’s sitting at, pulling out a fidget spinner. “They still use these?”

I shrug. “I don't know.” I glance back at my computer screen where forty-two other messages wait. “Are they emailing you complaining about me?”

Leah spins the toy and loses grip, and it clatters along the desk, onto the floor, across the room. “And calling,” she says. “But don’t worry. The first game of the season is next week. The town will be preoccupied with football and the fall farmers market. Their care for their children’s education only rears its head when nothing else is going on.”

She gets up and fishes a mint from the small bowl of candy on my desk and pops it into her mouth. “How’s Cadence, by the way? She being cunty?”

I almost choke on my coffee as I sip it. “Cunty? Leah!”

She steals another mint, this time, popping it into her suit pocket. “Well, Caine wanted the JV cheer job.”

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