Between The Sheets

by Julie Prestsater

  “So what are you going to do first?” her friend asks.

  “I don’t know yet. Ty’s pretty laid back. He said I can redecorate however I want.” And then they walk into his apartment and the door shuts behind them.

  He’s moved on in less than twenty four hours. Or maybe he was doing her on the side all this time.

  I guess he’s sure now.

  He doesn’t want me anymore.

  My eyes open way too early in the morning. After arriving back home late last night, you’d think I’d be able to sleep in. But no. My stomach is like my body’s own alarm clock and lets me know with loud rolling growls that my baby needs food.

  I crawl out of bed and head into my kitchen with about as much energy as my first period students.

  I open my fridge and realize I have shit to eat. I haven’t been home in weeks and there’s no man here to make me a mouthwatering breakfast.

  No. He’s making breakfast for Taylor right now. He’s forgotten all about me and my baby. I can’t believe he’s shacking up with someone else already. If the wait at the airport to get to San Francisco was bad, the wait for the flight home was even worse. I plugged a set of headphones into my ears and listened to Midnight Hour on repeat, drowning my sorrows in the lyrics about love gone right and love gone bad. Tears slid down my cheeks until the well was dry and all I was left with was a headache and swollen red eyes.

  That was last night and I doubt today will get any better. I’ll just stay away from mirrors so I don’t have to see myself shattered. Feeling it is horrible enough.

  My belly rumbles, my little one calling out for some grub.

  Since my cupboards are bare except for some microwave popcorn, crackers and wine, I go back to my bedroom to get dressed. Fast food is calling my name.

  After pulling through the closest fast food joint, I dread going back to my empty house. I make a right turn at the next light for a quick detour and head to work instead. School starts in a week so I need to get into my classroom anyway and clean up. Maybe the endless task will help me take my mind off things.

  When I arrive, I park as close to my building as possible, pull on my shades and haul ass to my classroom. I know I’m not alone, but if I get in and close my door fast enough, no one will notice I’m here, and I won’t have to explain my sickly appearance.

  I sit down and arrange my breakfast on my desk. I attack the greasy hash browns first. Instantly, I regret the choice as my face starts to feel oily and it’s like I can sense the zits forming with each bite. I toss what’s left in the trash and move on to my breakfast croissant sandwich. The melted cheese dazzles my taste buds and I lean back into my office chair to enjoy each bite.

  When I’m finished with my fat-infused breakfast, I ditch the trash in one of the wastebaskets near the door and walk to the center of my room. I do a 360, soaking in each wall and trying to envision what I’d like it to look like this year. Last year’s posters of my favorite Van Gogh paintings just won’t cut it after seeing the student work at Ty’s art center. Maybe I should call our art teacher and see if I can snag some old work so I can decorate my room. I doubt he’d mind. I’m sure he’d be happy to see it up on the walls for all to see. Or maybe I should wait until school starts and ask my students if any of them have some pieces they’d like to show off.

  I decide to leave it alone for now and I fire up my computer. I’ll start with planning my first week. I have to get all my handouts ready. Pick readings to interest my kids. Come up with a writing sample so I can evaluate their skill level. So much to do and so little time.

  Like always, I’m distracted again. This time by the dust on my students’ desks. It was really dumb of me to put off coming into work for so long. Usually it takes me days to figure out where to start. And today is no different. The walls, handouts, lesson plans, dusty desks. I can’t decide. I stand up and pace back and forth yet again, trying to settle on a starting point. It seems impossible. I slide into one of the desks and rest my chin in my hand, taking in the scenery.

  My thoughts go into overdrive again.

  The summer went by so quickly. I wish I had more time to recover from the crazy that has become my life, but I don’t. I need to snap out of this funk and move on. I can’t allow my feelings for Ty and my crushed heart to get in the way of me starting off the school year right. I can’t allow my feelings to get in the way of me taking care of myself and this little person growing inside me. Ty said he’d call when he calmed down. I should have just listened and waited for the call. Sometimes things are better left alone. And in this case, I would have liked to stay in the dark, not knowing that Ty has a new woman.

  First Nick, and now Ty.

  I’m destined to be alone.

  The faint sound of voices and shuffling feet can be heard in the hall. I should have kept my lights off. I’m not in the mood for company and now someone is bound to stop in. Thankfully, I wore some old baggy soccer shorts and a hoodie.

  I glance at the door just in time to see Shel and Matt peek their heads in.

  “Oh my gosh!” she squeals. “You’re here.”

  “And you’re smiling. Are you sure you’re happy to see me?”

  She brushes me off with a wave of her hand. “Bitch, please. I totally wanted to kill you days ago, but I’m over it now that I see you. Get your ass up and give me a hug.”

  The giddiness in her voice makes my heart swell with love for my best friend. Even after all I’ve done, she still loves me and she’s still here for me. She could easily hold a grudge for me keeping her in the dark and lying to her brother, but that’s just not Shelly’s style. We’re more than friends. We’re sisters. And we’ll always have each other’s backs. No matter how stupid we can be. Or, in this case, no matter how stupid I am.

  I scoot out of the desk and open my arms to her. Matt smiles as he watches his wife and I rock back and forth in a girlie hug.

  When I back away, she kneels down and plants her hands on my belly. “Hey, baby girl. This is your auntie speaking. I can’t wait to meet you.”

  “How do you know she’s a girl?”

  She rises to her feet. “Mother’s intuition. I’m having a boy and you’re having a girl.”

  “You found out already?”

  “No, but I just know. Don’t you?”

  I shrug. “Maybe.” I’ve been back to the doctor’s office. Maybe I know a little something. But I’m not saying till I have a chance to share the news with Ty.

  “Can I have a turn now?” Matt says, after clearing his throat.

  Shel and I laugh at his expense. “Sure, big guy. Hi, Matt.”

  He tosses an arm over my shoulder and squeezes me close to his side. “Nice to see you, Mel. You look great.”

  I run my hand over my messy hair and yank on my ponytail. “Oh, yeah. You’re full of shit, but thanks anyway.”

  Shel reaches for my hand and gives me a sympathetic stare. “How are you, Melly?”

  And with that, the flood gates open. Tears well in my eyes and I try to fight the oncoming whoosh of sobs, but I can’t. It’s too late. “Not good, Shelly. Not good at all.”

  “What happened now? Did Ty call you yet?”

  We both sit. Matt grabs a tissue box and places it in front of me, then leans against a desk next to Shel.

  “No. After I talked to you, I went to see him. I wanted to make the grand gesture, like in the movies. You know, let him know I’m willing to move to San Francisco so he can continue working in the teen center. But when I got there, it was too late. Ty is seeing someone else.”

  “What?” both Shel and Matt say in unison.

  “Yeah, Taylor. Not only does she work with him, she lives with him too.” I pull two tissues from the box and blot at my eyes. Then I grab a few more and blow my nose.

  “Wait. Where did you go exactly? Where did you see Taylor?” Shel asks.

  “San Francisco.” Where in the hell else? “I went to his apartment and waited outside for him. She had a key and was talk
ing to a friend about Ty letting her decorate however she wanted.”

  “Melly, Ty does not have a new girlfriend. I promise.”

  I can’t believe she’s going to lie for her brother. “I saw her with my own eyes, Shel.”

  “No, you didn’t see anything. Tyler isn’t …”

  Matt interrupts her with a hand to her shoulder, “Shel, it’s not your place.”

  She arches a brow at him and he narrows his eyes right back. “Fine.” Her gaze falls back to me. “What is the number one reason our students end up getting into fights?”

  “What the hell does that have to do with anything?” I shout, throwing my hands up.

  She slaps her hand on the desk. “Just answer the question.”

  With a heaving sigh, I reply, “Miscommunication. He said. She said. And half of it isn’t even true.”

  “Right. That’s what’s happening here between you and Ty. I swear if you guys would have just talked from the beginning and been your usual in-your-face selves, none of this stupid ass shit would’ve happened. You both need to learn to communicate because right now, everything is just one giant misunderstanding.”

  I drag my hand through my hair again. This time pulling a little harder on my pony in frustration. “Then what, Shel? What is it I don’t know?”

  She shakes her head. “You know how you wanted me to be your best friend and not Ty’s little sister?” I nod knowing very well the multiple times I pulled that card. “Well, Ty needs me to be his sister and not his girlfriend’s best friend. So my lips are sealed.”

  Matt bends down and kisses the top of her head. “Well done, Shel. I knew you had it in you.”

  “Liar,” she smacks his thigh. “You thought I was going to spill my guts.”

  “Maybe.”

  She tries to pull off an evil glare but he just gives her one of his swoon worthy grins.

  “Hello,” I call out, waving my hands in the air. “What the hell? You have to tell me.”

  Shel gets to her feet, and for the first time I see her bump when her loose-fitted top pulls against her midsection. She’s absolutely gorgeous with her pregnant glow.

  “No, I don’t,” she says. “Just keep your phone on. I guarantee Tyler will be in touch to reassure you he is not seeing anyone else.”

  Chapter 18

  Melissa

  “You really expect people to just believe you gained a few pounds?” Shelly asks me. “In your belly?”

  “Maybe they won’t even notice me when they see your big ass,” I tell her, bouncing my hip against hers as we walk to our first meeting of the school year.

  School is about to start and I’m having a baby. Alone. Without my baby’s daddy. I feel like the biggest hussy of all time. How do I even talk about this with my students? The questions are going to come. That’s a given. Mrs. Cruz, did you get married? Mrs. Cruz, are you gay or something? Mrs. Cruz, what happened to the baby’s father? Damn their inquisitive little brains.

  I’m an unwed mother. That part doesn’t bother me. It’s just the other small little detail that hurts. The one that nixes Ty out of the picture. He probably still hates me for not telling him. But what could he possibly expect me to do? He didn’t love me enough to make the grand gesture. Not until he found out I’m having his child. I’m not about to trap him in a relationship he doesn’t want to be in. Maybe he can visit the baby during breaks. Maybe I can take the baby to him. I don’t think my little one likes that idea very much judging by the kick at my side. Yeah, I don’t like it either. It’ll kill me to be apart from my baby. Even more than it’s killing me to be away from her daddy.

  Ty called. Just like Shel said he would. He didn’t say much. He did make it clear that the whole Taylor thing was a complete misunderstanding. He didn’t say why, but it sounds like he may be renting the extra room to her. As a studio, maybe. I told him he didn’t owe me any explanations, but he gave them anyway.

  When he asked if I’d be willing to sit down and talk to him, I almost passed out. I had to pinch myself, I thought I was dreaming. He’s going to be in town this weekend. He might already be. I don’t know. Shel won’t give up any information. I’ve tried to trick her into telling me when Tyler arrives, but she hasn’t taken the bait. I gave him my work schedule for today and he said he’d call. This day is going to drag on like watching Wimbledon.

  But seeing Ty will be worth the wait. I’ve practiced my speech several times. He needs to know how much I love him. He needs to know I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make our family work.

  “Are you crying?” Shel asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Oh, fuck. These damn emotions. I’m never getting pregnant again, I tell you. If I’m not crying, I’m eating twenty pounds of chocolate. And I’m really dying for caffeine.”

  “You’re preaching to the choir, Melly. I’m right there with you. At least, you’ll get reacquainted with Starbucks a whole month before me. And don’t you come around me with your coffee breath or I’ll kick your ass.”

  “Shit, between my crying and your left hook, we’re going to be so much fun to work with this year.”

  When we reach the auditorium, we sit down in the back row without saying anything to anyone. My plan worked. I knew if I got here early enough, I could sneak in without anyone noticing my baby bump. With my denim jacket hanging loosely across my belly, no one will notice when I’m sitting down.

  Little by little, colleagues and friends who we haven’t seen all summer start to fill the seats for the meeting. Matt finds us and hands over two Venti hot teas made with Refresh, non-decaffeinated bags. When Shel and Matt got married, I got a bonus best friend. He’s a wonderful man, taking care of me too just like he does my friend.

  “Thanks, Matt.”

  “Anyone catch on yet?” he asks, with a grin. He thinks we should just stand up and tell everyone so people don’t have to talk behind our backs, making up stories and spreading gossip. I kind of like the idea. Let’s see what they can come up with. Maybe I’ll give the person with the best story a prize.

  I shake my head. “You’re the first person to even talk to us.”

  “I’m not surprised. When I walked in you were both turned toward each other like you’re in deep conversation. I wasn’t sure I should even say anything.”

  A few minutes later, Chase and Summer make an appearance and sit in the row in front of us. She turns around and flashes us a wink. “Is the secret out, ladies?”

  I can’t help but sneer. “Oh, cha-tha, Summer.”

  “Melissa, I’m sorry. I don’t speak your ghetto talk.”

  I lean forward till I’m right in her face, close enough that I can see the actual layers of makeup piled on her face. “Let me translate for you. Cha-tha fuck up.”

  She turns around in her seat with a roll of her eyes. And I can’t help but laugh so hard, I actually start snorting.

  Shelly taps my leg. “Hey, the principal is getting ready to start. Shh.” I can feel her shaking with laughter next to me. “That was a good one.”

  I waggle my brows. “I know.” The meeting starts but my eyes wander. “Hey, I hear Mr. Erickson is single. Maybe I can convince him to be my baby daddy. For that guy, I’d consider getting prego again.”

  She smacks my leg this time. “Just pay attention.”

  “Good morning, Tigers. Welcome back!” the principal shouts, using his teacher voice so we can all hear. With all the technology this place has, you’d think someone would give him a microphone.

  Everyone says, “Good morning.”

  “We have a lot of announcements that should prove to be a lot of fun and very memorable, so we’re going to get all the business out of the way first before we get to the good stuff.”

  I lean over to whisper in Shel’s ear. “Fun, memorable, good stuff? I wonder what that could be. Maybe someone joined a cult.”

  Shel shhs me again.

  “What do you think it is?” I ask her before sipping more of my warm tea. I wonder wha
t the heated liquid does for the baby. Maybe she feels like she’s taking a warm bath. Ooo, that sounds good right now. Resting in a big tub, candles lit, some Spanish love tunes singing in my ear.

  While the principal drones on about test scores, I take the time to study my colleagues. “Check out, Margo. She chopped off her hair.”

  Shel nods.

  I scan the crowd more. “Oh my god, Mary has a giant tattoo peeking out of the top of her shirt.” I wanna see it up close. It looks awesome. What an oxymoron though. I think she had wings inked on her back.

  “Son of a big mouth, can you just listen already? I think he’s done with the bullshit and getting to the good stuff.”

  Damn, what crawled up her ass and died? Like she’s even paying attention to this crap. I’m finally finding something to distract me from my thoughts of Ty and she’s ruining my fun.

  “Next, I’d like to introduce the new additions to our staff.”

  “We should have told him about the babies,” Shel says. “This would’ve been a perfect time to make the announcement.”

  Matt arches a brow at her. “I told you guys that a million times,” he whispers.

  The principal introduces five new teachers and two instructional assistants. All seven stand as he calls their names and gives their educational background.

  “And last, I’d like to invite back one of our own.” Quickly, my mind starts thinking back to any past staff member who left and would come back. “This young man has deep roots in our community. He graduated from here not too long ago, and he even has a sibling who teaches here as well.” I look around trying to figure out who’d get their brother a job. The majority of the teachers at this school are alums so it could be anyone. “For the past ten years, he’s been a major influence in the art community in the Bay Area, working with their talented youth.” I glance at Shel, and a tear slides down her cheek. “We’re very lucky that his heart led him back home.” From the back row, all I can see are the backs of every ones’ heads. I can’t take it. I stand to get a better look. “And we’re even happier that he’s willing to share this very special moment in his life with us. Let me introduce to you our new art teacher, Tyler Gelson.”