Page 26 of Barefoot Chaos
And wasn't that the ultimate question. I wasn't sure if I just wanted him for something temporary and nice, or if I wanted him for something more. And I'm pretty sure the decent thing would be to figure that out before things went any further between us.
"I'm definitely attracted to him. I just don't know if he's right for me or not. That's why I'm taking the 'wait and see' approach. But I promise you, if or when I decide he's what I want, I will go after him with every ounce of my energy. And you'll know about it, because I'll be coming to you for advice. Sound good?" I didn't need their approval, but I did want it.
"That's reasonable. I dig it." Brinley smiled at me, then looked around the table. Everyone else gave me a thumbs-up, so I took that as their stamp of approval.
We sat in companionable silence, finishing our hot chocolates. I may have had a crazy person targeting me, but I felt pretty damn good. I had a hottie lifeguard looking out for me, self-defense lessons under my belt, and a crew of crazy-ass girlfriends who'd call me on my shit but also protect me no matter what. The addition of these women to my life seemed like total serendipity.
"I'm sorry. Am I the only here who wants to back up and talk about the kissing?" Bailey looked at us, a serious expression on her face.
"Jeepers...."
Did I mention how crazy my Beach Squad was?
Hessa
My house phone rang just a few minutes past five o'clock Saturday morning. It jerked me out of a deep sleep, frightening me with what it could mean. No one knew that number. And certainly no marketer was going to be calling that early on a weekend. Not one that didn't want a lawsuit from a hungry lawyer and a sleep-deprived, angry client.
I rolled out of bed, fumbled for my glasses and answered the phone in the bedroom next to mine that I'd designated as a home office.
"Hessa? This is Mr. Brown." My principal's gravely voice came through the phone.
This couldn't be good. I sat down hard in the desk chair, clearing my throat and the cobwebs from a deep sleep before speaking.
"What's going on?"
"We just got a call from the police. They need you and I to come down to the police station and have a chat with them about one of our students, Gabe Martinez."
I flipped through the names of my students in my head. Gabe was in my third period English class, friends with James, if I recalled correctly. He didn't do Jr. Lifeguards with James though this last summer like they usually did. In fact, he'd been getting into more and more trouble lately. If the police were involved, it must be pretty serious.
"Sure. I can be there in thirty minutes. May I ask why they want to speak to me?" I wasn't sure what help I could be. I didn't recall hearing him talk about anything particularly dangerous.
"He was attempting a Care Dare late last night when he wound up in the hospital." Mr. Brown's voice was quiet but his words echoed through my mind the whole time I rushed to get ready.
10
Hessa
The hospital smell hit me like a wall when the automatic doors swooshed open. Mr. Brown was a silent statue next to me, his only communication a stiff head nod when I met him in the chilly hospital parking lot. My stomach was tied in knots. I hadn't even remembered to bring my stack of Care Dare submissions with me to try to piece together what may have happened.
I was confused about the whole thing since I hadn't assigned any approved dares yet.
I was scared for my student.
I was worried about the integrity of the whole Care Dare program.
Hallway after hallway blended together until we were finally at a nurse’s station. Mr. Brown asked for Gabe Martinez' room number. The nurse led us down another long hallway before stopping outside a closed door. She told us to wait there while she went in and talked to Gabe's parents.
I tapped my leg while we waited, unable to control the tick. My anxiety rose the longer she was in there and the tighter Mr. Brown clenched his jaw.
The door finally opened and I thought I would pass out from holding my breath.
"You can go on in now. The patient's mother is in the room and expecting you." The nurse gave us a tired smile and moved back down the hallway from where we'd come.
Mr. Brown held the door open and swept his hand, indicating I should go first. I threw my shoulders back, smoothed my face and walked in the room. The beeping of machines greeted me a split second before the hate-filled scowl on the woman's face. She was sitting in a chair next to the bed, holding Gabe's hand. His eyes were closed and there was a white bandage wrapped around his head.
I waited till Mr. Brown was standing next to me. I paused to let him take the lead. When he didn't say anything, I stepped forward and extended my hand to Gabe's mother.
I whispered, trying not to disturb Gabe. "Hello, Ms. Martinez. I'm Hessa Woodland, Gabe's English teacher. I'm so sorry to meet you this way."
