Page 141 of Hot Four Teacher
“What’s going on, Eve?” I ask. “Why do you have everyone so worried?”
“I just wanted to be alone. I didn’t want to go to school and have to face my friends…or you. I just needed a day off.”
“I get it,” I tell her. “Maybe next time, just leave somebody a note.”
She bites her fingernails as she looks over the water.
“Eve, I’m going to tell you a story, and I want you to hear me out.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I came out here to find you, my ass is already wet from sitting on this rock, and if you don’t, I’ll make you run endless laps on Monday.”
She just gives a heavy sigh in response.
“I don’t know if you know this, but I’m divorced. I got married way too young for all the wrong reasons, and it just didn’t work. Since then, I haven’tfound anyone I even want a second date with–let alone a relationship. And then, this woman in a bar comes over to me and starts talking. She’s funny, beautiful, and nervous as hell. We hit it off. We started seeing each other, very casually, and it became clear how much we cared for the other. Then, it turns out she’s one of my student’s moms.”
“I’ve heard this story," she says.
“But here’s the part you haven’t heard. This is not just some fling for me, Eve. I’m in love with your mom.”
Her head snaps toward me. “What? You two aren’t just boning?”
“No. I have fallen for her hard. When we realized who the other was, we tried to stay away from each other, but we just couldn’t. We didn’t want to give each other up, and I think that means something. I know it feels like we did something to hurt you, but that wasn’t our intent. Your mom wanted to keep this from you until we knew it was serious. Her plan was to tell you last night.”
“That’s what she said.”
“And it’s the truth. She has been so nervous about telling you because she didn’t want to make you upset. She cares so much about your happiness–just like I care about hers. I would do anything in my power just to see her smile. And for the record, I care about you too.”
She sniffles as if fighting back tears. “This is all so weird to me. I’ve never seen her dateanyone before.”
“I think that right there should tell you something.”
“Do you think you’ll get married?” She asks.
“Well, it’s a little soon for that, but if she’ll have me, I’ll marry your mom in a heartbeat.”
She goes quiet again for a minute before looking at me. “If you become my stepdad, can I get an automatic A in history?”
I laugh. “No.”
“Will you let me run less laps than everyone else?”
“Eve, I know you. You’ll probably do something to get yourself runningmorelaps.”
She looks down at her fingers. “I’ve always worried about her being lonely in a few years when I go off to college. I’m glad she found someone that makes her happy. Promise you’ll take care of her?”
“I promise.”
“And for the love of God, please keep her occupied enough to where she will stop trying new hobbies.”
I chuckle. “I will do my best to keep her occupied. Come on, let’s get you home.”
As we start to walk, she says, “She once grew weed. Did she tell you that?”
“No, but now, you have to tell me.”
Chapter fifty-one
