Holly's Wishes

by Karen Pokras

  “I’m not leading the entire team,” Jared explained. “Right now, I’ll have a group of about ten workers reporting to me.”

  “One day you might be,” Holly told him, snuggling against his side.

  “I see. Well, that does indeed sound like something to celebrate,” Michelle said, losing a bit of her condescending tone. Twirling her hair again, she shifted her body a little closer to Jared’s.

  Chapter 18

  “Just water, please,” Holly requested, when the waitress came by for the third time. Two beers on a mostly empty stomach had been one and a half too many for her.

  “Another for me,” Jared said, starting to sound a little tipsy.

  “Don’t you have to work the early shift tomorrow?” she asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  “It’s cool, Hol. I’ll be fine by morning,” he replied, keeping his eyes on the waitress.

  “Change mine to a cola, please,” Holly said with a sigh. “Guess I’ll need the caffeine to keep me awake to drive home.”

  “I’ll have another.” Michelle pointed to her empty bottle of Perrier.

  “Cola sounds good for me, too, please,” Ben said.

  “Isn’t this band fabulous?” Michelle asked as she swayed in place to the beat.

  “It’s awesome,” Jared said, his eyes darting down her shirt more than they should be.

  The waitress returned with the drinks. “Cheers,” Michelle said, clinking her glass to Jared’s bottle, while ignoring the rest of the table.

  “Michelle?” Ben said, pointing to his watch. “It’s getting late, and I’ve got to get up early for work tomorrow.”

  “Oh, sweetie, we haven’t even danced yet. Come on, we have to at least dance.”

  “I’m not really in a dancing mood.”

  ‘How about you?” she asked, looking at Jared.

  He smiled, eyes still on her chest, and nodded.

  Sighing, Ben stood up to let them out.

  He slid back in next to Holly where they watched as Michelle began gyrating against Jared who seemed oblivious and did his own odd chicken type dance.

  “I’m sorry,” Ben muttered to Holly.

  She laughed under her breath. “This is a typical night out for me. You?”

  “Pretty much,” he said somberly.

  After two songs, Ben walked up to Michelle, grabbed her elbow, and led her off the dance floor and back to the table. “We need to go.”

  Jared stumbled back behind them.

  “Oh, sweetie,” she said, kissing Ben on the cheek. “Can’t we stay a little longer? It’s so rare we get to go out like this, and Jared looks like he could use another beer.”

  She motioned for the waitress, and pointed to both their drinks, indicating they’d like refills, without bothering to ask if Ben or Holly wanted anything.

  Hanging his head, Ben groaned. “Last one. Then I’m leaving—with or without you.”

  As Jared and Michelle sat back down, Holly noticed another button on her shirt had come undone, exposing even more of her cleavage. Twenty more minutes and she might actually wind up topless. Of course, this was Michelle Floyd. Apparently nothing really changed over the years.

  Ben stood for a moment, trying to decide where he should sit, before sliding in next to Holly. Somehow, having him beside her made the situation seem not quite so bad. She could tell he was annoyed, as was she. Why did they keep putting up with this?

  “Looks like you’re the designated driver tonight,” Ben said as the waitress brought Jared’s beer.

  Holly sighed. This was the first time they’d been out to a bar since Ava’s wedding. She’d thought his binge drinking and flirting days were over. Apparently not.

  “Cheers to us,” she said to him, holding up her empty glass. It was a poor attempt to mock what was going on with their significant others.

  “All hands on the table, kids,” Ben called to Michelle and Jared.

  “Oh, Benny,” she replied with a playful grin, “we’re just talking.”

  He smirked back. Even in sarcasm, he had a great smile.

  “So how’s the car?” Holly asked, trying to ignore the pair across from them.

  Ben laughed. “I’m afraid it’s dead. Didn’t you get the notice for the memorial service?” He shook his head. “She served me well … a sweet and respectable ride. A real class act.” He glanced at his girlfriend. “Wish I could say the same about all of the women in my life.”

  Holly looked at Ben, not quite sure how to react. Was that a joke … or not? She so wanted to laugh. In fact, she tried her hardest to hold it in, but the more she tried, the more trouble she had. Finally, a tiny giggle, which quickly escalated into louder chuckles, escaped. Ben followed with full on laughter.

  “Yeah,” Holly said, trying to catch her breath, “Mine’s a broken down clunker, too.” As they broke out into another round of uncontrollable laughter, she and Ben knocked heads.

  “Hey, what’s so funny over there?” Jared demanded, his words slurred.

  “Yeah,” Michelle added, closing one of her buttons and pulling her shirt up. “Let us in on the big joke.”

  “No. It’s nothing,” Ben said, regaining his composure. “We were talking cars.”

  “Well …” Michelle muttered, glaring across the table. “I think I’m ready to go now, my love.”

  Ben got up and offered his hand to Holly to help her out of the booth. “It was a pleasure, as always,” he said, before turning to Jared. “And very nice to finally meet you.”

  “Same to both of you,” Holly replied for herself and Jared, who could barely stand, let alone speak a coherent sentence.

  Michelle, as expected, didn’t acknowledge Holly’s words. Instead, she grabbed Ben’s hand, tugging him toward the exit, before he had a chance to say anything more. Holly couldn’t help but notice he pulled away from her long before they got to the door.

  Chapter 19

  “How’s this?” Dan stood up from his desk and walked to the space in front of his closed door so Holly could see him. He started moving his feet together and apart, in a really odd way, while clapping. The beat of the claps and the beat of the steps were completely out of sync. “Three plus three is six, but multiplied together is nine, isn’t that just fine?”

  “Hmmm,” she said, trying not to laugh. Even in his most clumsy state, he was still completely adorable. “I’m not sure the timing works. How about: The number three has a funky groove, multiply them together and watch them move. Three times three makes the number nine, just remember that, and you’ll be fine.”

  “So much better,” Dan replied, collapsing into the chair next to Holly. “I don’t get how you come up with this stuff off the top of your head. You’re amazing. It’s no wonder all your students love you.”

  She put her hand up to her cheeks. “Stop, it’s no big deal. My brain just likes to make silly rhymes.”

  “No, really. I’ve peeked in your doorway now and again to watch you teach. You have a way with children. That’s not something you can learn in school, either. That’s something that comes naturally. Not all teachers have it, but you do.”

  Holly looked at Dan. He was her boss and all, but she had no idea he’d been watching her, not like that. Was it like that? No, it was as a principal observing a teacher, that’s all. He probably observed all of his co-workers. Yes—of course he did—it was his job as principal of the school.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’m just … there’s something about you I don’t often see in educators. Something special. I wanted you to know.”

  Something special? The last time a guy told her there was something special about her, he was trying to convince her to take all of her clothes off. It had worked, too. She shut her eyes and tried to banish that thought from her mind. He was talking about teaching. She opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. It was four-thirty. Judging by the length of his previous meetings, time didn’t really matter.

  He smiled warm
ly. “Do you have kids of your own?”

  “No,” Holly replied, shying away.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not supposed to ask questions like that. It’s just—you’d be such a great mom.”

  “It’s okay. I’m not married. Not that I need to be married to have kids or anything. I mean, I’d like to be married first, but it’s not a requirement. There are lots of great single moms out there. In fact, they’re probably even better at parenting because they have to work twice as hard at what they do. Of course, married moms are hardworking, too. They’ve got a lot on their shoulders as well. I wasn’t implying they had it easy or anything.” Stop babbling, Holly! “Anyway, I hope to have kids one day. I guess that was more info than you were asking for.” She felt her cheeks get even hotter.

  “I appreciate your honesty.” He probably regretted asking the question at this point. “Oh, hey, didn’t you want to show me dance moves or something?”

  “Uh … sure.” Flustered, she got up and faced him, feeling self-conscious. “Well, um, I was thinking something like this.”

  Moving her arms and legs in a slow, rhythmic motion, she began counting to the same beat the rap followed.

  Dan got up out of his chair and stood next to her. Swinging his arms first, he followed her. “Like this?”

  She smiled. It needed work—a lot of work—but at least he was moving to the right beat this time.

  “That’s right. Now try it with the legs.”

  Keeping the arms going, he moved his left foot forward, then back. He then moved his right foot forward and back. Holly watched as he struggled, but miraculously appeared to be keeping up … in a strange, choppy sort of way.

  “Ah ha ha!” Dan exclaimed, seeming to be quite pleased with himself. “I think I’ve got it!”

  “Great,” Holly said, sharing his enthusiasm, while trying not to laugh at his awkward style.

  He repeated the sequence one more time, then added in an odd shoulder wave Holly hadn’t ever seen before. It was sort of a mixture between a shimmy and a shake. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. It threw his balance off, and when he tried to catch himself, he hooked Holly’s foot with his own. She felt the fall coming, but was unable to control it. Apparently Dan couldn’t control his either, as within seconds, he was directly on top of her … their faces only inches apart.

  She could feel his breath quickening as he looked into her eyes and felt her own chest rise and fall as she tried to steady her own breathing. There were only two ways this scenario could end: either he would get up, or he would kiss her. He did neither. Why was he just lying on top of her, staring into her eyes?

  “What’s going on in here?”

  Or make that three scenarios … Elaine Fairview could walk in.

  “Mrs. Fairview!” Dan said, scurrying to his feet. He brushed invisible dust off his pants before offering Holly a hand to help her up. “Ms. Haines and I were practicing our routine … for the talent show. We’re doing a rap … er … a song.”

  “And a dance,” Holly interjected.

  “I see,” Elaine said, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Well, it seems I have two left feet, and I tripped is all, taking poor Ms. Haines down with me. Luckily, we still have over a month to figure it all out. So, um, what can I do for you, Mrs. Fairview?”

  “I was stopping by to see if you had a few minutes to discuss changes I’d like to make to the spring curriculum. That is, if you don’t mind taking a break from singing and dancing to talk about something of substance.”

  “I need to get going anyway,” Holly said, grabbing her coat and bag. “You keep practicing, Dan. Same time next week?”

  “Sounds great,” he replied, grimacing. He appeared to have a please don’t leave me alone with this old hag expression on his face.

  “Nice to see you again, Mrs. Fairview,” Holly called out as she left the office, laughing to herself as she headed down the hall and out to her car.

  Chapter 20

  “What are you doing home so early? Are you sick?”

  Setting her briefcase and purse down inside the door, Holly walked over to the couch to sit on the edge beside Jared, who was lying down. She was still smiling, thinking about the look on Elaine’s face when she walked in on her and Dan. It must have been quite a sight—her on the floor with the principal on top of her.

  “My boss sent me home early,” he mumbled. “I had a rough day.”

  “What do you mean?” She glanced at the coffee table where a six-pack of beer sat—well, six minus three—one of which was still in Jared’s hand. She bent down to pick up the metal tops and empty bottles that littered the floor.

  “One of the guys on my crew was giving me a hard time. Not listening, talking back, and stuff. I guess he’s not used to having me as his boss now or something, I don’t know. We got into it a little. He started cursing at me, and I got pissed, so I shoved him. He’s the one who started throwing punches. I was only defending myself after that.”

  “You got into a fight?” Holly asked, finally noticing Jared’s swollen lip. “You can’t do stuff like that at work. You’ll get fired! You didn’t, did you?”

  “No, I didn’t. But thanks for backing me up, babe. I appreciate the support.” He finished his beer, threw the bottle on the floor, and grabbed a fourth, tossing the top on the floor as well.

  She sighed and stood up. “Well, are you okay? Can I get you some ice?”

  “Don’t bother.” He turned his head away from her and stared up at the ceiling.

  “What did your boss say?” she asked. “Did the other guy get in trouble at least?”

  “Yeah, we both got written up. It’s no big deal.”

  “No big deal? Getting written up is a big deal! You were just promoted. Now is the time when everyone is watching you.”

  Jared slammed his bottle down on the coffee table, spilling beer on the newspaper sitting next to it. “Jesus, Holly, give me a freaking break. So I made one mistake. Why don’t you get off my case for once and leave me alone?”

  She stood up and stared at him for a moment as his hurtful words sunk in. “Gladly,” she said, quietly, coldly, as she reached down to grab her purse. “I’m going to my parents. There are leftovers in the fridge in case you’re interested in something other than liquids for dinner. One other thing, don’t ever think that I don’t support you, because I do, more than anybody else in this world. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t give a damn about what happened to you at work today.” She opened the door to the apartment and turned around before walking into the hallway. “Oh, and my day was great, thanks for asking … as usual.”

  ~~~

  “Mom? Dad?” Holly called out as she walked through the door. She’d wanted to call them on the way there to let them know she was coming over, but her phone was still in her briefcase back at her apartment. After making such a grand departure, she hadn’t felt like going back to get it. Her exits weren’t always that perfect. Returning for something would have killed the effect. Not that Jared would remember her words three beers in, but still, it was satisfying at the very least.

  “They’re in the kitchen.”

  She turned toward the familiar voice coming from the couch.

  “Ben?” she asked, startled. “What? Why? I’m sorry, that was rude. I mean, hi. I wasn’t expecting to see you.”

  He put down the magazine he’d been reading and stood up.

  “Holly?” Patricia called out, entering the living room. “Is everything all right, sweetie? What are you doing here?”

  “I’m fine,” she lied, giving her mom a kiss on the cheek. “Jared isn’t feeling well, so I wanted to get out of the house.” It was sort of true.

  “It’s no problem. You know you’re always welcome here. Is it the flu?”

  “No, he’s just a little under the weather.” She glanced at Ben and back at her mother. “I didn’t realize you had company,” she said, trying to figure out what was going on.

  “Oh, I invited Shelley
and Ed over again. We had such a lovely evening the last time they were here. Did you know you and Ben went to the Soph Hop together? Well of course you did. You’ll never believe what I found going through some old albums.” She pulled the picture of them in their yellow frilly outfits out of her apron pocket.

  “We really do need to destroy all copies of that photo,” Holly told Ben.

  “Ben here has been so sweet. He came along to help your dad fix something in the garage. You know how he is … always wanting to tackle the hard jobs himself when he can get some help. Not that you and your sisters aren’t helpful, of course.”

  “It’s okay, Mom. It’s no secret our father always wanted a boy.”

  “Oh, stop. He loves you girls, and you know it. You three just never seemed interested in any of his fix-it stuff, although he did give it a good try there for a while. Remember that Christmas when he bought you all tool belts?”

  Holly laughed. “Tessa used hers as a Barbie carrier. Clever when you think about it. Then Ava and I followed her lead and used ours for make-up and hair accessories.”

  “That’s right. I’d forgotten about that. I think that was the point where he finally came to terms with the fact that you were all girly girls. Anyway, he needed a little help, and … well, he’s not getting any younger, you know. I guess with Max all the way across the country, he figured maybe Ben could help out.”

  “Jared’s here, too,” she reminded her.

  “Right,” Patricia said with a forced grin. “Well, poor Ben is probably bored now that all of us old folks have congregated in the kitchen. You know how that goes. I told you that you could watch TV,” she reminded him.

  “It’s okay,” he replied. He held up the magazine that had been sitting out on the coffee table for the past year and said, “I’ve been catching up on my reading.”

  Holly’s mom smiled at him and turned back to her daughter. “Anyway, I’m sure he’s glad you’re here now. Why don’t you take him down to the rec room in the basement. You two can play ping pong until dinner’s ready.”