Teacher

by R. L. Merrill

  “Ms. Martin, I couldn’t have done this without you! Can I write to you from college?"

  I hugged her and said, “You did the work, Aubrey. You stayed focused and you’ve achieved your goal. You better write to me from college, young lady, or I will hunt you down!” I hoped she would. I loved hearing from my students who were making it out there in the real world.

  Cosmo and the guys were having “practice” when I got home Wednesday night. I sat outside with them while they played, chatted, and got drunk. I enjoyed just not thinking for a while. I rarely touched alcohol because it wreaked havoc on my joints. When a carload of girls arrived with more beer, I said my goodnights. Cosmo started getting cuddly with a couple of the girls and I beat a hasty retreat. I turned on my headphones to drown out the sound of someone having extremely loud sex on the other side of the wall and smiled when I heard Danny’s voice.

  Thursday passed the same. The rest of my students were coming in to turn in the last of their work for the year, forms needed to be filled out, grades had to be finished, and by the time 4:00 came around, I drove straight to the studio and had to spend the class pinching myself to stay awake.

  Danny texted me several times during the day on Friday with questions. I answered them the best I could, but I was exhausted. I left at lunch to grab a better meal than I brought from home because I knew I’d never make it to his house without more protein than the peanut butter on my celery. There was a taco truck on the corner of the street where the school was located so I went down and grabbed a bean and cheese burrito. All it did was make me sleepy. After school, I drove to Danny’s place and trudged up the walkway. My hair was coming undone from my braid and my skirt was twisted. Danny opened the door with a huge smile on his face and grabbed me into a hug.

  “Can’t. Breathe.”

  He pulled back, smiling, but his face fell when he got a look at me.

  “What the hell happened to you,” he whispered.

  I gave him a weak smile and blew my hair out of my face. “Last full week of school? I’m just a little tired. I’ll be fine.”

  He shook his head at me and next thing I knew he’d picked me up and was carrying me into the library. He whistled loudly and Nora came running in.

  “Danny! Put me down! I told you I’m fine.” I was laughing by the time he gently set me down on the couch.

  He stood and pointed at me. “You lie down. I’ll get you something to drink,” he whispered.

  Nora came in then, took one look at me and shook her head. “Oh, you’re fine alright! I knew you weren’t fine.” She grabbed a pillow and made me lie down.

  I was still chuckling. “Will you two quit fussing over me, I’m fine! I’m just a little tired.”

  She put her hand on my forehead as I yawned and said, “Sugar, you got yourself a fever.”

  I shook my head. “It’s hot out there, I’m just warm.”

  She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Jesse, in a previous life I was a nurse. Don’t bullshit me! You just lie here. Danny is bringing you something to drink.” She was gone and I couldn’t help but be grateful for such a soft pillow.

  Gentle fingers were smoothing my hair back when I woke. Danny was sitting in my usual spot on the couch reading and I was lying down next to him wrapped in a blanket. I snuggled into the couch and let out a soft moan.

  “Hey, what happened? What time is it?”

  He looked down at me and removed his hand. His expression was frustrated and aggravated. “It’s 8:00. You fell asleep as soon as I set you down. Were you feeling bad today? I wish you would’ve called. I hate it that you drove all the way out here when you were obviously tired.”

  I sat up and rubbed at my eyes, likely removing what was left of my eyeliner. “I guess I was more tired than I thought. I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head with that look of disgust back on his face. “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have pushed you. I’m so sorry, Jesse.”

  “Hey, I told you, I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself. If I was too tired to drive, I wouldn’t have. It’s not my fault you guys gave me this soft pillow. It’s magic, huh?"

  One side of his mouth quirked up and he pulled me into a hug. “Don’t scare me like that again, Jesse,” he whispered against my neck and I shivered.

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Bossypants, sir.”

  He leaned back and brushed my hair away from my face. A moment before I was lost to him, I regained my senses and said, “Rules, Danny.”

  He froze, and then he jumped off the couch.

  “Danny? Did I hear Jesse?”

  He smiled down at me bashfully and I took a minute to just appreciate all of him. He was wearing sweats and an Iron Maiden t-shirt that looked really lived in. His feet were bare. He was wearing his glasses. He was ridiculously sexy.

  “Jesse! You’re awake! Can you get up? I made you some soup. I can bring it in here if you like.”

  Danny nodded to her.

  “Thanks, Nora. I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.”

  She just smiled and said she’d be right back. Danny sat on the floor next to the couch. He’d turned on the fire and the flames were reflected in his eyes, the lights dancing over his face. He was unbelievably handsome. I unbraided my hair and let it hang loose. My head was still fuzzy and I was a little sleepy, but I felt better after my nap. I stood up to stretch and stepped out to use the restroom. When I came back in Nora was setting up a tray with my dinner on it.

  “It smells great, Nora. Thank you. I’m sorry I put you to all this trouble.”

  She gave me a well-practiced scowl and Danny shook his head. “Don’t say another word, Jesse," she scolded. "Just eat! And when I get back that bowl better be empty and your tea better be gone.”

  I gulped. “Wow,” I whispered as she left the room. “She’s good. She should have been a teacher. I feel thoroughly reprimanded.”

  Danny looked over his shoulder at me. “You should,” he whispered. “And I’m not letting you drive home tonight. Either you stay here or I’m taking you. No arguments.”

  I choked on the tea I was drinking. We both stood up and he was about to start whacking me on the back.

  “Danny,” I said when I could get a breath in. “I can’t stay here! How would that look?”

  He shook his head and started to berate me but chose to take out his phone. “I don’t give a flying fuck what anyone thinks! I’ve got two guest rooms! Hell, you can stay in Nora’s cottage if you’re going to be difficult about it, but you’re not fucking driving home and that’s it!”

  “Ok, first? I’m not a fan of being cussed at. Second, I don’t take well to being ordered around. You might be kind of cute when you are mad, but this is ridiculous.”

  He got up close, right in my face. “Jesse, I’m worried about you. It makes me crazy when I can’t take care of you. You’re sick! Let me take care of you for Christ’s sake,” he whispered harshly.

  The closer I looked the more I could see the strain on his face. I reached my hand up to smooth the crease in his forehead. “You’re going to have this crease permanently if you don’t stop.”

  He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. He closed his eyes and kissed the back of my knuckles and then turned it over slowly, kissing his way over my palm. My whole body started trembling. He opened his eyes and a slow, sensuous smile played across his lips.

  “Are we having our first fight, Jesse,” he whispered.

  His lips were softer than I thought they’d be and as he rubbed them across my fingertips I felt a warm and tingly sensation through my…

  “I can’t leave you two alone for a minute! Danny! Unhand your teacher at once!”

  I started giggling and Danny closed his eyes, pressing one more kiss to my palm before letting me go. Nora came around the side of the couch and made to grab Danny by the ear, but he snatched her up in a hug and started spinning her around instead.

  “Put me down, Danny! You little shit!”

  They were both lau
ghing when he set her down and kissed her on the cheek. She couldn’t stay mad at him. Neither could I. I sat down and ate my soup like a good patient before Nora scolded me again.

  "I really am ok, you two. I run fevers sometimes, it's part of my RA bag of tricks. I just need to take some medicine and drink more water. I haven't been drinking enough at work."

  They both looked at me, concerned. Nora touched my forehead again and said, "I wish there was more I could do for you."

  I smiled up at her. "You've been wonderful, Nora. I'm certainly eating better, thanks to you. It's just something I've got to deal with."

  Danny's smile was gone and he was pulling at his lip.

  “When is Janey coming,” I asked Danny between bites.

  He frowned and rubbed his hands over the top of his head, then plopped down next to me on the couch.

  Nora said, “Brooke was supposed to bring her tonight but she called and said Janey was ‘tired after school’ and that Danny could pick her up in the morning.”

  No wonder he was on edge tonight. I put my hand on his knee and said, “I’m so sorry, Danny. I know how much you were looking forward to having her and then I had to go and worry you.”

  He smiled sadly and squeezed my hand, then removed it from his leg with a wink. I blushed and made quick work of finishing my soup.

  “Thank you, Nora. That really hit the spot.”

  She nodded. “Of course. Now, I’m just going to sit over here and read a book quietly so I don’t disturb your studying, Danny.”

  We both got the giggles.

  "I kind of blew our night of studying. Do you want to just take me home?”

  He looked at me sadly and shook his head. “I want you to stay here. Please? We’ll get up early, I’ll take you to your place to change and then we can pick up Janey and take her to the ranch," he whispered. “Please?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him and his ‘gimme’ smile was the clincher.

  “Nora? Do you mind if I bunk with you tonight?”

  He mouthed, “Thank you.”

  “Already made up your bed. Why don’t you two say goodnight and come with me.”

  I turned to Danny and he stood up, helping me up from the couch.

  “And no more touching! With lips or fingers or anything! Man, it’s like having a couple of randy teenagers around here.”

  “Goodnight, Danny. Thank you for taking care of me tonight.”

  He nodded and rubbed at his chest.

  “Me, too,” I said. “Wake me as early as you like. Oh! I need to let Cosmo know. He’ll freak if I don’t come home.” I took out my phone and it was dead. I gave Danny a weak smile and picked up the iPhone he gave me. I called Cosmo and was almost deafened by the noise on the other end.

  “Who the fuck is this,” he answered.

  “Cosmo! It’s Jesse! Look, I’m not coming home tonight. I’m staying at Danny’s housekeeper’s place.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  I groaned. “I have a slight fever. I’m fine, but I was a little tired, so she asked me to stay with her.” I heard Danny snort.

  “Where are you? I’ll come get you, baby.”

  “No, Cosmo, I’m fine. I’m coming home in the morning to change so make sure you guys have cleaned up my side of the stairs when I get there.”

  I heard screaming and laughing in the background. “Guys! Don’t hang from there, it’s not really...” I heard a loud crash. “Aw, shit. Gotta go, they pulled the gutters off again. Be safe, Jesse baby.” He hung up and I shook my head.

  “Those guys are going to tear that place down. Please tell me Nora doesn’t throw wild parties. I’d really like a good night’s sleep.”

  Danny walked up behind me and kissed the back of my head. He nuzzled into my hair and whispered against my ear.

  “Sweet dreams, Jesse. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  I turned around and backed away, afraid I would grab him and take him to his room.

  Nora put her arm around me and said, “C’mon, Jesse. We’ll have a pajama party. No boys allowed!”

  I laughed and peeked over my shoulder to see Danny watching me walk away. He appeared to be satisfied that he’d won this battle, but disappointed he wasn’t going to be tucking me into his bed.

  Nora’s cottage was through a door off the kitchen and across a small patio from the main house. It was adorable! The interior, unlike Danny’s place, spoke loudly about who lived there. Pictures of her family adorned one wall and the mantle above a fireplace. Paintings and sculptures were distributed around the rest of the room. It was a home. It made me even more sad for him. He should have this, too. There were two bedrooms, a small kitchenette and a living room. She took me to the room I’d sleep in and I couldn’t help laughing.

  “Nora, this is great. This room is as big as my whole apartment!” She laughed.

  “Girl, I know what you mean. There’s a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom through there if you want to soak. I was just going to watch a movie if you are up to it, otherwise I’ll let you get your rest.”

  I didn’t really want to be alone with my thoughts so I said, “You know, a movie sounds really good. Do you have something I can wear to sleep in?” She pointed at the bed.

  “Already set it out for you. I had nothing near your size so I grabbed something of Danny’s, although they will be huge on you, too. I’ll see you in a few. Bathroom has a toothbrush and things set out for you.”

  I gave her a hug and felt myself relax against her. “Nora, thank you. I can’t...Just thank you.”

  She held me tight, her voice shaky when she spoke. “It is my pleasure, Jesse. I’m glad you are here. Take a minute, I’ll be right outside, ok?”

  I stepped back and wiped at my tears, feeling silly all of a sudden. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  She gave me a sad smile and said, “No need to be sorry. Ever. You’re doing good by my Danny, I take care of you. That’s the deal. Now go on.”

  She gave me a playful push and I smiled, turning to take another look at the bedroom.

  The door closed behind me and I let the tension fall from my shoulders. I stripped out of my sweaty, wrinkled clothes and reached for what she’d left out. It was a pair of black silk pajamas and when I held them up to my nose I could smell a hint of whatever she washed Danny’s clothes in. It smelled enough like him to give me that feeling low in my belly again. I really needed to snap out of it! I went into the bathroom to wash up and brush my teeth and hair out. Under the good lighting I could see the dark circles under my eyes. My hands were swollen, especially the knuckles. My back was a little stiff, but I’d live. I used my hair tie to pull the pants tight enough that they wouldn’t slip down my hips to the floor.

  When I stepped out into the living room, Nora was just making popcorn and dancing around the kitchen. When she saw me swimming in the pajamas she laughed.

  “Sorry, that’s all I could give you, but nothing of mine would have worked either.”

  Nora was about six inches shorter than me and about thirty pounds heavier. Who was I kidding? Most people were thirty pounds heavier than me at least. She was perfectly curvy and sexy. Her hair was cut close to her head and was graying but her features and skin were flawless. She was dressed for comfort in sweatpants and a tank top.

  “They’re great. I’ve never worn silk pajamas before. He might not get these back.”

  She laughed hard at that. “I don’t think he’d mind. I think at this point he’d cut off his right hand for you, Jesse.”

  I couldn’t help the stupid smile that formed on my face. “Nora, I really tried to be professional about this. He just has a way...”

  She laughed out loud again and waved away my last comment. “Please! That man would have had Queen Elizabeth II eating out of his hand. He is too damn cute for his own good! I wasn’t so sure in the beginning. He was such a bear when he first came here. Of course, that was not too long after his divorce.”

  I didn’t wan
t to pry, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask her a few questions. “How long ago were they divorced?”

  She thought about it for a minute. “Let’s see. Roland sold the place to Danny three years ago and they were divorced about a year before that I think. Janey was around eight when they finally called it quits, but it was over long before that. Has he told you what happened?”

  I shook my head. “I haven’t really asked him much about his personal life. It’s been kind of hard for us to talk too much because he shouldn’t even be whispering and it’s a lot to type, you know?”

  She nodded. “He’s really hating this no-talking thing. I kind of like him not being able to talk, but I guess it can’t last forever.” It was my turn to burst out laughing. “I know that’s terrible of me. Although I don’t think he’ll be such a pain now that he has you.”

  My smile fell. “Nora, I don’t know if I would say that. I don’t know what’s going to happen once we finish working on his diploma.”

  She raised an eyebrow at me and said, “What do you hope happens?”

  I flopped down on her couch and closed my eyes for a minute. “I can hope all I want. Doesn’t mean it’s reality. Reality is that he’s Danny Black, and I’m just a school teacher. How could I possibly fit into his world, Nora?”

  “Oh please. Sugar, you are a beautiful, intelligent, somewhat clueless woman. That man is head over heels for you! I’ve never seen him like this. What’s there to fit into? I mean, other than his bedroom.” My jaw dropped at her and she laughed at my expression. “Seriously, Jesse. I understand what you are saying. But I think you will find that the two of you will fit well together.”

  I shook my head. "It's not just us, it’s all this," I said, gesturing to the big house. "This is a whole different world."

  She laughed. "I didn't come from all this money either. I grew up in Los Angeles with two working class parents. I graduated from high school, unlike most of my friends, and went to college to get my nursing degree. I went to work as a private nurse and ended up here in Hollywood. I couldn’t believe the way these people lived! Most of them had never been without a day in their lives. But then I met Roland.” When she said it that way, it finally dawned on me.