by Jj Rossum
It was a few minutes before I heard the door open to April’s room, and because there weren’t any other sounds in the building, I could tell they were talking. But, once again, I couldn’t make the words out.
I decided to walk over to Stephanie’s classroom, because I wanted to get a glimpse into April’s room while I walked by.
I didn’t know what I expected to see, but I knew I’d be more comfortable knowing he wasn’t strangling her or anything. Violence had to be on the back of anyone’s mind while Marco was around. Thankfully, he didn’t smell of booze though, so this wasn’t going to turn into drunken rage.
It was funny the things people will do when they think they are going to get caught doing something. I had been whispering to April even though Marco was in the parking lot. I had been trying to stand as silently as possible while I listened by the door, worried the slightest flinch would get me found out. And now, as I left my room and walked toward Stephanie’s, I found myself practically tiptoeing. Because, apparently seeing a man tiptoeing in his own goddamn hallway isn’t suspicious at all.
I casually turned my head as I walked by April’s room, glancing through the window that a few weeks ago had first exposed me to April in the first place.
God, so much had happened in such a short period of time since then.
I saw April sitting at her desk. It didn’t look like she was talking to anyone; her head was down and she was shuffling through papers.
The window wasn’t big enough to see the rest of the room unless I was going to walk up to the door and put my face right up to it.
I continued walking and reached my faux destination.
The lights were out, and when I reached down to open the door, I realized it was locked. I knew Landry had gone in there—the lights had been on and the door had obviously been unlocked.
I peered into the dark room through the window on the door, but saw empty desks slightly illuminated by the light of the hallway.
I guess the tutoring session had been a quick one.
I briefly debated walking the length of the hallway and then going back to my classroom, but I turned around instead.
The door to April’s room opened up, and out came Marco.
I stopped in my tracks, and so did he. I think we were both just briefly startled to see someone else in the hallway, but if anyone else had come across us, they would have thought we were engaged in some kind of Western standoff.
“Can you point me in the direction of the men’s room?” Marco asked. “Too much coffee on the plane.”
“Right there,” I said, pointing behind him to the bathroom that was conveniently located to the right of my classroom.
“Ah, gracias,” he said. And off he went.
The bell rang and the morning quickly got underway. I wasn’t texting April and she wasn’t texting me, so whatever was going on next door was a mystery to me. I had no idea if Marco was sticking around the school for the day, or if he had left, but I wasn’t going to risk asking her. So I waited.
When lunch rolled around, there was no sign of April in her classroom or in the lunchroom. I assumed they went to lunch.
When lunch was over, I went back up to my classroom and found April sitting on the death couch.
“Where’s Marco?” I asked.
“We went to lunch. He just dropped me off.”
I nodded and sat down at my desk, turning my chair toward her. The goddamn Bic was sitting on my desk, but I didn’t react to it like I normally did.
“He says he came to be a part of my welcome dinner,” she said, breaking the momentary silence. “That he wanted to meet all the great people I’d be working with.”
Ah, the New Teacher Potluck, welcoming April to the faculty. Some much had been going on that I forgot it was coming up.
“Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know,” she said, leaning forward on the couch. She covered her face with her hands, and then ran them back through her hair. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”
“Like he knows something?” I asked.
“Like he knows something,” she said. “He mentioned you at lunch.”
“Oh god, what did he say?”
“Just kept saying you seemed like a nice guy. I told him you played baseball most of your life and that caught his interest even more.”
“Did you tell him the whole story?”
“No,” she shook her head. “I didn’t exactly want him knowing I knew your life story after a few weeks.”
“That would make things fairly obvious.”
“Exactly.”
The bell rang, and the kids would be on their way back from lunch.
April stood up and straightened her dress out with her hands.
“Don’t text me until I figure out what’s going on,” she said. “We can talk here unless you hear from me.”
I nodded in agreement. “Okay.”
Although, knowing me, even if I got a text from her saying “It’s okay to text right now,” I probably would have ignored it, thinking it was a text actually sent by Marco to trick me into giving away information.
When I say I think of every possible scenario, I absolutely mean it.
The rest of the day went by without event. Holly and I texted back and forth most of the afternoon. It took a little while to get back into our groove, but eventually we got there and she spent most of the time ranting about her brother. I knew she loved him and felt like a mom, so her rants were more funny than anything else. Holly would do anything for family, or for someone she cared about. The moments she allowed herself to bitch about them only made her more lovable.
We made plans to meet up and see a movie later. She said she needed to get out of the house, and I seemed to be going to a restaurant every other night and was tired of eating out so much.
The movie theater was fairly empty, which I expected for a Wednesday night. Holly and I never picked a movie before we went to the theater. It was our tradition to just pick a time to go and then we would see the next open showing, no matter what the movie was. The only exception was if we had already seen the movie. It was a fun little tradition, but it also forced us to see some real clunkers. Once or twice I had tried to get out of the movie we were going to have to see and convince her to see something else, but she always reminded me it was my idea in the first place and to shut up and watch the movie.
We were in luck, though. The movie playing next was a foreign film about soldiers forced to celebrate Christmas on the battlefield during World War II. I had heard good things about it, and Holly wasn’t at all opposed to subtitles, which was a giant plus in her category.
The theater was empty, as apparently foreign movies about war weren’t popular in the middle of the week. Naturally, my thoughts went to all the things we could do in an empty theater, but I wasn’t all that sure if Holly would be up for it. She wasn’t opposed to public fooling around though, as she had once given me a blowjob in this same theater complex. That had been in the very beginning.
“So, I’ve got a slight problem,” I said, as we sat down in our seats. The commercials hadn’t even started as we still had twenty-five minutes before show time.
“Oh boy,” she said, introducing her large Coke to the sticky cup-holder armrest. “What is it?”
We had discussed the April situation during the day through text, in between Holly’s ranting about her brother. I had told her that April’s husband had shown up at the school, and that it had made things pretty uncomfortable for a little while.
Holly said, “Sucks to be you guys, but you deserve it.”
I expected nothing less from her.
I also explained that because of that, I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to end things officially with April. This bothered her a little, which was completely understandable. But, I promised her it would be done.
“Well, tomorrow night we have a potluck at the principal’s house,” I said.
“Are you allergic to potlucks
or something?”
“No. But, the potluck is for her—a sort of ‘welcome to the faculty family’ kind of thing.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. And as her co-worker and the person in the class right next to her, I kind of have to be there.”
“Well, you said her husband is in town, so if he was there it’s not like I’d have to worry about you fucking her in the garage. Would I?”
She could be so blunt and sarcastic at times, it was a little disarming.
“No, Holly, you would not have to worry about that. But, I really want you to go with me.”
“You do?”
I could hear the surprise in her voice. I had never asked her to do anything with me of that sort. I doubted anyone at my work had ever seen her. That is, unless they frequented the bar on the weekend, but I knew them well enough to know they didn’t know who Holly was. To her credit, she had never brought it up, or asked why I hadn’t really included her in work things. But, that was going to change.
“Yes. I do. I want you with me.”
“Fine,” she said, trying to conceal a smile. “I’ll go.”
“Good.”
She turned to me and grabbed my face, planting a big kiss on my lips.
“Asshole,” she said.
The lights dimmed and the commercials and previews began. An older couple walked in and sat a few rows in front of us.
“Do you remember when you gave me head in this theater?” I asked, a little too loudly.
“Yes, and now so do our viewing buddies,” she said, gesturing her head toward the couple. “But, you aren’t getting that tonight.”
“I was just being nostalgic,” I said.
I grabbed her hand in mine and leaned as far back as my chair would go.
She didn’t pull her hand away.
“You’re such a charmer.”
I purposely arrived a few minutes late to the meeting the next morning, not wanting to get strange looks if I didn’t sit next to April. She was already surrounded on both sides when I got there.
Principal West reminded everyone of the potluck to be held that night, and who we needed to talk to if we hadn’t already signed up to bring a dish. I knew I’d be able to volunteer for the soda or cups or something.
The meeting lasted a little while longer and as soon as it was over all the teachers made the mad dash for the door. Because I had come in last, I was the first one out.
Oh, the perks of being tardy...
I was already seated at my desk when April walked in.
“Hey,” I said. “Ready for the big party?”
“So excited,” she said, shaking her hands sarcastically in the air.
April picked up a desk and moved it closer to mine.
“Listen, Luke. We need to talk.”
“Uh, okay.”
“I’m not even sure how to say this.” She sighed. “Okay. I want you to know that I really have enjoyed our time together, and I think you are a great guy. And I don’t want you to be mad, but I really have to say this. Last night Marco and I were talking, and he told me that the reason he came back was because he knew things had been rough lately for us. Like really rough,” she added, with nervous laughter.
Oh my god, was she breaking up with me? No way.
“And he said that he left the kids with his mom so he could come back and we could be together for a few days without them. Because he said we never get any time together without the kids around. And, now that his season is over we can find a way to make time. So, that’s why he flew up here.”
“Okay. So what are you saying, April?”
“God,” she said, covering her hands with her face. “Look, I’ve loved spending time with you, really. And everything I’ve said to you is true. But, I just kind of jumped into things with you, and I never really thought things out, I guess. I mean, I know Marco has been a complete asshole, but we have kids, Luke. Two of them. And with the house and car payments and everything else, I have to think about things more closely, and I didn’t and I’m sorry.”
I had always wondered whether my lack of a million dollar contract would bother April, who had to have grown used to her lifestyle over the years. Not many teachers were paid THAT well. She had been subtle about it though.
“Wow, well, I wasn’t expecting this,” I said, and it wasn’t a lie.
“I know, Luke. I’m sorry.”
“Didn’t you say that you had a feeling he thought something might be up?”
“Yeah,” she said, shifting in the desk. “I did. But, last night he was different. I don’t think he knows anything.”
“Oh, well that’s good.”
“Yeah. He can’t find out, Luke.”
“Well, you won’t have to worry about me telling him.” I laughed.
“Are we okay, Luke?”
“Yeah, April. We are. Don’t worry about it. I understand.”
“Thank God. I couldn’t sleep last night. I didn’t know how you would handle it.”
The bell rang loudly, and it was time for students.
April stood up.
“Are you going to make the dinner tonight?” she asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “I will be there. Holly will probably come with me.”
April mouthed the name “Holly” as if trying to figure out who that was. Then her eyes got big.
“The girl from your driveway?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Holly.”
“Luke,” she said, turning toward the door. “You can do better for yourself.”
And with that, she left the room. I hated her right at that moment.
I knew Holly was sleeping, but I sent her a message detailing the entire exchange anyway, minus the part about me being able to do better.
We talked about it on the way to the grocery store to pick up cups and soda for the dinner.
“If he does actually know,” Holly said, “he might try to kill you tonight, FYI.”
“Yes, I’m well aware of that,” I said. “Maybe we should have one last fuck before he does.”
“No,” she said. “I want you to die fuckless.”
Whether he knew or not, the fact remained that I did have sex with his wife. If he knew, he wasn’t going to be happy and I would suffer the consequences of my actions. If he didn’t know and never found out, I was still stomping all over a bunch of those Thou Shalt Nots. So, cosmic punishment was also a possibility. But, I made the choice, and I would take what came from it.
“I’m curious to meet her husband though. She will probably try to keep me away from him. I have a feeling I can make things really uncomfortable for her.”
Holly’s eyes were staring off into the distance, likely entertaining random scenarios in her head in which to make April squirm.
We showed up to Principal West’s house a few minutes after 6, fashionably late as always. Holly hated being late to anything. It was something I liked about her. But, I also liked showing her that being two minutes late wasn’t going to cause the party to cease from happening.
I didn’t see April’s car, but I saw a sports car that was not in the price range of anyone else on staff. Marco’s.
“They are here,” I said as I parked further up the street.
“Why am I so excited for this?” Holly said, clearly kind of giddy.
“Cause you are a little sadistic,” I reminded her.
“Oh yeah!” She flashed a big smile.
Mark’s house wasn’t very big, but he did all his entertaining in the backyard, which he had turned into a little island paradise. He had tiki torches lining his yard long before they became a staple in every backyard on the planet.
Tonight, the torches extended out along the side of the house, making a distinct pathway for everyone to follow. We obeyed the torches’ direction and turned the corner to a sound of loud “Luke’s here” and “The drinks are finally here!”
Holly glared at me, having already reminded me that you shouldn’t show up late when you were b
ringing beverages.
I put my arm around Holly and pulled her close. There were a lot of wide-eyed greetings from colleagues who thought my love life was non-existent. I began introducing her to everyone, while spotting April and Marco under the makeshift cabana where all the food was being set up. Quite a few people were gathered around them, basking in Marco’s famous glow.
I thought it was funny the way Landry had reacted to Marco when he saw him in the hallway, and the men and women I worked with at Lakefront reacted the same way. No matter what Marco had done on the field, he seemed to get a pass when out in the “real world” because he was a celebrity.
The World Series ring he had won was flashing brightly on his left hand, and I could hear the literal “Ooos” and “Ahhs.”
Mark came over to grab the drinks from us.
“Give me those,” he said. “Let’s break them open.”
“Here you are, sir.”
I introduced him to Holly.
“You’re a brave woman, associating with this character.” He laughed.
“You’re telling me,” she replied quickly, causing Mark to laugh loudly again.
“Come here, guys, you should meet April’s husband.”
Mark had no idea I had met him the day before, but we followed him over to the cabana anyway.
“I can’t wait to meet him,” Holly said.
Mark turned around, lowering his tone significantly. “He actually seems like a really neat guy. I think you guys will love him.”
“I bet!” Holly replied.
“Look, who I found?” Mark said loudly to April and Marco.
Marco had his back turned, but April flashed a smile as Marco turned to see us.
“Luke!” he said loudly. “Good to see you again!”
He extended his hand and we shook.
“And who is this lovely lady?” he asked, eyes checking out Holly.
“This is my girlfriend, Holly.”
Shock briefly registered on April’s face. On Holly’s too.
“Girlfriend? Have you been keeping a secret from us?” April said. Her tone was teasing, but the look in her eyes wasn’t.
“Nope. No secret here,” Holly said, putting extra emphasis on the word here. “We’ve really only been official since Tuesday night.”