Reformation: A Salvation Society Novel

by Chelle Sloan

  “Show it to me when you’re done and I’ll check it.”

  Anthony gets back to work as another text from Garrett comes through.

  Garrett: Incentive? Like for the winning class?

  Paige: Yes. We used to do pizza parties. Apparently free pizza isn’t a big deal for kids these days.

  Garrett: Wow. I loved free pizza. Hell, I still love free pizza.

  Paige: Same. I’ve been told kids who have iPhones and Jordans need more.

  Garrett: Can I throw out an idea?

  Paige: Please. I’m desperate.

  Garrett: I do some work with the Norfolk Tides. What if I make some calls and see if we can get the winning class to a baseball game?

  Paige: You would do that? That would be amazing. If it’s too much trouble, please don’t go out of your way. But if you could do that, I’d be forever grateful.

  Garrett: I offered and it’s not. I’m glad to finally put some contacts I’ve made over the years to good use. Let me reach out to them and I’ll let you know.

  Paige: Thank you, Garrett. Thank you so much.

  Garrett: Anytime.

  I read Garrett’s texts again, hoping I didn’t imagine that whole conversation.

  “Why are you smiling, Miss Blackstone?”

  I jump a little, not realizing that Anthony is standing right next to my desk.

  “A friend is going to help me with a problem, and that made me smile. Because whenever you can do something nice for someone, you should.”

  “That’s nice. I tried to help Bailey last week in art class and all she did was push me away and said she could do it herself.”

  I laugh, remembering the hardheaded Bailey very well. “I’m sure she appreciated it in a different way. Still, it was nice of you to try. Let’s check this math homework.”

  I scan the worksheet, pleased to see that he did indeed do them all right. Which is great. I don’t think I have the brainpower today to push through fourth-grade math.

  “Miss Blackstone, can I tell you something?”

  I look up from his worksheet. “Of course.”

  “You should smile like that more often. You’re really pretty when you smile like that.”

  And now I’m crying and giving Anthony the biggest hug I can because children are the best.

  “Oh, Anthony, one day you’re going to make someone the happiest person in the world.”

  He laughs, used to my hugs. “And we’ll all live happily ever after in Jingleville.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Garrett

  I’m a doctor. I hold a degree from one of the most prestigious medical schools in the world. I’m renowned in my field. I could call any hospital in the country right now and say I wanted to come work there and they’d make it happen.

  So how in the actual fuck am I lost in the hallways of an elementary school?

  I mean, small children navigate these hallways every day. It can’t be that hard. Yet, here I am, passing the same picture of Thomas Jefferson for the twentieth time.

  Maybe ol’ Tommy boy knows the way to Paige’s food drive meeting?

  “I didn’t realize doctors made school calls these days.”

  The voice startles me, and I turn around to see my sister-in-law wearing a shit-eating grin on her face.

  “How long have you been standing there?”

  She laughs, taking a few steps toward me. “Long enough to know that you’ve walked past the same hallway three times and you were two seconds away from asking Mr. Jefferson for directions.”

  Sometimes I forget Charlie works for the CIA.

  “What are you doing here anyway?” Charlie asks as she guides me to the hallway that I swear appeared out of thin air. Maybe it’s like one of those Harry Potter hallways that move around from time to time.

  Not that I know about Hogwarts or anything. Okay, I know a little.

  “I’m helping Paige with the food drive and she asked me to come to the meeting.”

  Charlie stops walking, so I follow suit, though I’m confused as to why we are stopping. But I don’t ask, because Charlie is too busy inspecting me like she is looking for something hiding on me.

  “What are you looking at?”

  She puts a finger in front of my lips as she continues to search behind my ears. “I know Area 51 is a hoax, but I do know where the CIA actually hides the aliens. However, I didn’t get the memo they were releasing them and especially not in Virginia. That’s the only plausible explanation as to why you’re helping with an elementary school food drive.”

  I grab her finger and shove it away as Charlie continues to laugh.

  “I’m glad this is so amusing to you. For your information, I volunteered to help Paige. I’m trying to do more. Give back. And she mentioned she needed help, so I volunteered my services.”

  At first, I didn’t know if I said any of that out loud. I haven’t told anyone about my hospital epiphany. Well, anyone besides Paige. And hell, she doesn’t even know the full extent of it. It’s not that I’m ashamed by it, but when you’ve been a conceited asshole for as long as I have, people are going to give you shit, look at you like you’ve grown three heads, or think you are joking when you say words like “giving back” and “volunteering.”

  Sort of exactly like how Charlie is looking at me right now. Well, that is if she could talk. Her jaw is currently on the ground.

  Even after she picks it up, it takes her a few seconds to formulate words.

  “I have so many questions. And while many of them revolve around how you connected with my son’s teacher about volunteering, I have a more important one.” She takes my left hand in hers, holding it up. “Garrett, why aren’t you wearing your wedding ring?”

  I shake out of her hold and take a deep breath. This conversation was inevitable, though I wish I wasn’t telling Charlie before Mark. And I wish I had more to tell her. I also know I can’t lie to her. It’s Charlie. She’s crazy scary.

  “I never put my ring back on after being released from the hospital. I asked Annika the other night to start the separation process so we can get divorced.”

  After nearly a month away, Annika returned home, which allowed me to finally have the conversation with her I’ve been trying to have since I was released from the hospital. She didn’t say anything and promptly left again. I have no clue where she’s staying. If I had to guess, my money would be on with the guy who she’s planning on replacing me with.

  “Oh, Garrett. God, I am so sorry.” Charlie quickly wraps me in a hug. And while the sentiment is nice, it’s not needed.

  “It’s OK,” I say, patting her back as she releases me. “It was a long time coming. Being in the hospital made me realize how unhappy I’ve truly been.”

  “I knew something had to be up when we never saw her there, but I really had no idea. I wish you would have told us. We could have helped. I know a guy who can make her disappear in an hour. For a few Benjamins, he can do it quicker than that. Do I need to call him? He does really clean work. One time I used him for—”

  Now it’s my turn for the finger in front of the lips. “Stop. I appreciate the offer. And I have no desire to know what this man did for you. I’m fine. Honestly. I haven’t been happy for a long time. Neither has Annika. It became a marriage of convenience, and when you almost die you realize that’s no way to live your life. So I asked her to begin the divorce process.”

  We continue walking, Charlie giving my hand a squeeze in reassurance.

  “What does that mean? The divorce process?”

  “In Virginia, you can’t just get a divorce because you don’t want to be married anymore. You have to be legally separated for six months unless someone commits a felony, is abusing the person, or is cheating on them. Unfortunately, even though I think Annika is cheating on me, I don’t have proof of it, so I asked her for the separation. I even said that I would move out.”

  “How’d she respond? I can’t see Annika being asked for a separation and taking it all
in stride. Oh God, is she trying to drain you? Did you sign a prenup this time?”

  Just then, I see Paige standing a few feet away talking to another parent outside the library, where the meeting is being held. I stop Charlie before we get there, not wanting to continue this conversation at my nephew’s school. Or in front of the woman who has already seen me at my most vulnerable.

  “We need booze for that conversation. How about I come over after this meeting? You order the food, I’ll bring the drinks. And that way we can fill my brother in on the shit show that is my life.”

  She gives my hand another squeeze, looking to Paige, then back to me. My sister-in-law might be scary, but damn if she doesn’t see right through me.

  “Deal. But you better bring the good stuff.”

  Paige

  As soon as Garrett walked into the library, the room went quiet. Every mother, Helicopter or not, was in awe of the man walking, no, striding into the room. Even though he came in with Charlie, it didn’t matter. Every woman, whether they were married or single, a lesbian or straight as an arrow, couldn’t take their eyes off of him. I’m pretty sure even one of the mother’s emotional support chihuahua was smitten.

  Once he told everyone about the grand prize for each grade—a field trip to a Norfolk Tides baseball game—everyone with ovaries was volunteering to be a chaperone. When I reminded them that their child’s class might not win, they brushed it aside and still signed up. They all assumed Garrett would be attending. I wasn’t about to tell them that all he did was facilitate.

  “Garrett, thank you again, so much, for working with the Tides and getting the winning class tickets to a game. We didn’t know how we could get our kids to want to participate in Miss Blackstone’s project until you came in and saved the day.”

  It takes all I have to not roll my eyes at Amalie’s speech. Cassie was right at the beginning of the year that Annabelle was the daughter of the woman every teacher at Jefferson Elementary hates with the fire of a thousand suns. She and her cronies are everywhere, hence our nickname. And because her daughter is in my class, I get to see her every day. If it’s not a crack about the food drive, it’s a dig about my teaching style, because of course, she feels that her daughter should know more than she already does.

  Every day I take her comments in stride. And every day I bite my tongue and refrain from asking her why her daughter insists on trying to eat glue sticks.

  “I didn’t do anything except make a phone call,” Garrett says, trying to brush off the compliment. “Paige has done all the work. You should be thanking her.”

  “Oh, Miss Blackstone knows how much we value her. She’s a treasure to have here at Jefferson. I was so happy when I was told she would be Annabelle’s teacher this year.”

  “Bullshit.” The fake cough Cassie tries to use to cover up her reply isn’t as subtle as she would have liked, and any other time I’d be elbowing her to behave. But I don’t have it in me today. In fact, I can’t help but let out a small laugh.

  “Excuse me?” Amalie asks Cassie. “Did you say something, Miss Green?”

  “I said bull—”

  “Well, thank you all for coming,” I say, stopping Cassie and Amalie before things get out of hand. “It seems that we have everything in order. Everyone has six weeks to collect as many non-perishable items as possible. Grade winners will be announced at the spring carnival, which I will be heading up with the help of the parent advisory board. Class moms, if you need anything else, please let me know. And if there’s nothing else, we are set. Food drive begins now!”

  The volunteers and the handful of teachers who agreed to help begin to scatter out of the library as I unceremoniously plop down in my seat.

  “Who the hell is that bitch?” I look up to see Charlie standing in front of me, her scowl pointing straight to Amalie.

  “That’s Amalie Brainard. At least, I think that’s her last name now. I can’t keep track,” Cassie says, taking a seat next to me. “And I’m Cassie Green. I teach fourth grade, and judging by the way you began this conversation, we are about to be best friends.”

  I laugh as Cassie begins filling Charlie in about Amalie and the Helicopters when I realize that Garrett is standing in front of me. I don’t know how I missed him. The man towers over me, especially when I’m sitting down. And that’s not even going into the powerful presence he exudes just by being in a room. Or the smell of his cologne.

  “Are all volunteer meetings like that?” he asks, taking a seat across from me.

  I laugh. Surely he has to realize he was the reason that every mom jumped up to chaperone a baseball game. “No. And while I appreciate you volunteering and helping out, I think it’s best if you don’t attend any more meetings.”

  “I disagree,” Cassie interrupts. “This was the most entertaining parent-teacher meeting we’ve ever had. Garrett, I’ll email you a schedule.”

  “If Garrett is coming, do I have to?” Charlie asks. “I mean, I think it’s enough that one member of Cullen’s family represents the group.”

  I shake my head. “Nope. You’re stuck here. As long as your child is my student, I require you to save me from the Helicopters.”

  Charlie sighs. “I figured. Honestly, it’s the least I can do for you putting up with my kid. Oh, and sorry about last week. I talked to him and took away his iPad for the weekend. He should be good now.”

  “What did my nephew do this time?” Garrett asks.

  “We were going through the alphabet and I asked the class to say words that started with the letter I pointed to,” I say, taking a breath because I know I’m going to crack up when I say it out loud. “And when I got to F, your nephew raised his hand in the air, and before I could even call on him, he yelled ‘fart!’ The class then decided that that was the word of the day and said it no less than two hundred times before pickup. A few even acted it out.”

  Everyone laughs, because let’s be honest, it is kind of funny.

  “I’m just glad he didn’t say fuck,” Charlie says, rubbing a stray tear from her face. “I really thought that’s where the story was going when you called to tell me what he did.”

  As the laughter dies down, I begin to gather my papers, happy for once that I don’t have anything to do tonight. Cassie bids everyone goodbye and I walk with Garrett and Charlie to our cars.

  “See you at the house?” Charlie says to Garrett as she climbs into her SUV.

  “I’ll be there in thirty. I’ll bring the scotch.”

  “Grab a bottle of wine too. Remember, no cheap shit. See you later, Paige!”

  I continue walking to my car, realizing Garrett is still walking with me. It hits me that since the food drive is up and running, there’s no reason for me and Garrett to continue talking. The thought of not getting a random text message about how many kids would be attending and if he should set up food vouchers makes me sad.

  “I guess I’ll see you around?” he says.

  “Yeah. I guess so. Thanks again for helping. You didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”

  He runs a hand through his hair, almost seeming nervous, but for what, I have no idea. “It was no problem. I’m glad to help. And of course, I’m going to make sure Cullen’s class wins.”

  I laugh, having no doubt he will buy every canned good in Virginia to make that happen.

  I reach for the door of my car when his voice stops me.

  “Is there more that I can do?”

  I look over at him, a little shocked at his words. I know he said he was interested in volunteering and doing more to give back. I honestly didn’t expect him to after the food drive. He’s a busy man with a busy schedule. Most people in his tax bracket just write a check to say that they are contributing to charities.

  “There’s always more that we can do.”

  That makes him smile, and it goes straight to my heart. “Great. What’s next?”

  I smile, having the perfect idea in mind. “Meet me here. Saturday morning. Bring coffee.”


  Chapter Sixteen

  Paige

  “Is this vest really necessary?”

  I laugh as I watch Garrett, who is looking down at his neon safety vest like it is trying to eat him alive. I’m definitely not watching him and wondering how anyone can make that neon monstrosity look sexy.

  Nope. Not me. Not this girl.

  “Yes,” I reply, trying to make myself busy so I don’t continue to ogle him. “When you’re picking up trash anyplace cars drive through, safety is important. Are you willing to risk going back to the hospital because you didn’t prioritize your safety?”

  Garrett groans, which causes my laughter to pick up again, but before he can continue complaining, the volunteers are called in to go over the duties for the day.

  The high school National Honor Society adopted the streets around the school complex a few years ago as a part of their service project. Once a month, the kids and their advisor take to the streets and pick up any loose litter. Whenever I’m available, I lend a helping hand. I love that the students are getting involved in their communities at an early age.

  What would have happened to me if I would have started volunteering in high school? What would that have changed? Would I be here?

  The hustle and bustle of teenagers dispersing, armed with trash bags and garbage grabbers, breaks me away from my thoughts.

  “You know, when you asked me to meet you early on a Saturday morning and to bring coffee, I was hoping we were volunteering at another run. That’s more my pace,” Garrett says as we make our way to our designated pickup area.