Water Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  “No.” Erin shook her head. “But every once in awhile we have donations filter in for the students.” She looked up at the clock. “We have about fifteen minutes before the rush known as first hour begins.” She glanced at Kendra. “You ready?”

  “Always.” Kendra smiled. “This is exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

  * * * *

  The day went well until after lunch when the rain still poured, and the children became fidgety. Erin tried everything besides bribery when Kendra held up her hands, and the kids stilled.

  “I have a story.”

  Erin listened carefully to her assistant’s voice.

  The room hushed instantly. And then a tiny voice piped up. “What kind of story?”

  “A magical story. Full of heroes and dragons and fairies.” Kendra held her finger to her lips. “But it’s a secret. And I have to talk quietly or the fairies might be upset with me for sharing.”

  “That’s tattletaling.”

  Erin bit back a laugh and saw Kendra trying to do the same.

  The small voice was highly indignant.

  “Yes, Allison. But sometimes fairies cannot keep secrets. It’s why I must be very, very quiet with this story. Can you be quiet, too?”

  Thirty heads nodded in unison. Kendra looked up and winked at Erin. “Then sit still, my lovelies. Because I have a story of how a storm such as this one saved a fairy’s life.”

  Erin sat at her desk and listened to Kendra weave a story of magic that kept the children enthralled for over an hour. A feat previously unknown to teachers of any sort of age group.

  When the last word was uttered, there was a moment of silence and then the children clapped their hands loudly.

  “Again, again!”

  “Just one more!”

  Erin watched Kendra smile and shake her head. “I have more stories for other days, class. But for now, I believe Ms. Sanders has a lesson to teach us. One we will all pay attention to and learn.”

  Erin nodded her thanks and began the spelling lesson.

  * * * *

  Tuesday ended on much the same note as it began. The skies poured water from the heavens in torrents and then trickles. But it never let up. Never did the rain pause at all. Erin hustled the last group of students to the car line and watched Kendra straighten the chairs. It was nice to have someone help in the class. And her new assistant seemed to know what she was doing.

  The best part was that the students liked her. Accepted her. And that went a long way with Erin. Kids seemed to have a built-in antenna for that which was good and that which wasn’t. She sighed and stretched as the last of her students filtered down the hallway and outside for that teacher to corral.

  “Plans for this evening?”

  Erin glanced over at Kendra and shook her head. “I’m going to set sail for my house in about half an hour. And you?”

  “Nothing much, I’m afraid.” Kendra smiled. “I’m new to town. I don’t know many people. So I’ll just curl up with a book and bide the time.”

  “Sometimes fictional friends can be just as important as other ones.” Erin walked over and straightened her desk.

  “Yes.” Kendra moved closer. “I find that immersing myself in other places and others’ stories helps me, sometimes.”

  “I have a rich fantasy life.” Erin blurted out the words before she could stop them and averted her eyes. She quickly put her pencils back in the cup.

  She felt a small pain in her chest at the truthfulness of the words and worked hard not to look up at her assistant. When she finally did, she found the woman openly studying her. After a minute, Kendra turned quickly and cleared her throat.

  “I believe I’m ready to leave now. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

  “No. Thanks.” Erin blew out a breath and grabbed her umbrella off the coat rack. Small niggles of guilt bit at her. She could invite Kendra to grab a bite to eat. Or pretend to be sociable and go to a movie or something. But that piece of her that kept to itself won out.

  “You have a good evening.” Erin walked purposefully down the hall and out the door to her car. The thunder rolled mildly across the skies, and she opened her car door with steady hands.

  A rich fantasy life. She snorted. That was the only life she had. By choice. Because any relationship would be doomed. Erin accepted that. Accepted it in college when she let someone close enough to see what she was made of. The things she had done. And he was appalled. And every time after that, he looked at her differently. And she had done her best to avoid him.

  She wouldn’t lie. But the truth doomed her to be by herself. Alone. Erin tapped her fingers on her steeling wheel and backed up slowly. She shouldn’t dwell on the past. That part of her life was just that. The past.

  * * * *

  The rain actually stopped by the time Erin pulled up to her small yellow house. She smiled and stepped out of her small car. The smile died as she caught sight of a large bouquet of exotic blooms on her front porch.

  “Son of a bitch,” she muttered. Erin walked slowly up to the porch and took the two steps as one. Small drops of rain still clung lovingly to the sapphire and amethyst blooms. She reached down and traced the petals. So soft and fragrant. The feminine side wanted to sigh, but she bit it back with effort. Her practical side would run her life from now on. Erin pulled the card out of the protective plastic and swore softly at the flowing manuscript she now recognized on sight.

  Apparently Daniel Rodriguez couldn’t take a hint.

  Chapter 3

  The last thing Erin wanted to do was get back in her car and drive to the bar. But she knew she couldn’t waste another day. No telling what the idiot would do next. She growled low in her throat and threw her car into reverse. What part of their last conversation was over his head? Seriously.

  She pulled into the bar parking lot ten minutes later and noticed it was filling up quickly.

  “Great,” she muttered. “Absolutely damn perfect. How much better could it be?” Erin stepped out of her car and slammed the door shut. She strode purposefully to the entrance and smiled when she saw Max.

  “Hi, Max.”

  The big man’s head swiveled to look at her, and a smile broke across his lips. “Hey!” He quickly moved the rope so she could come inside. There were small murmurs of protest until Max held up his beefy hand. They were quickly silenced.

  “Thanks, Max.” Erin waved behind her as she made her way to the boss’ office. One Daniel Rodriguez. Hard-headed man extraordinaire. There were two ways to make an approach. Nice and easy. Or balls to the wall. She chose the latter.

  Erin threw the door open to the office and walked inside as if she owned the entire operation.

  The bar owner sat on the edge of his desk talking to an older woman. Both looked with wide eyes at her entrance. Erin watched Daniel’s eyes crinkle at the corners as he struggled not to laugh.

  “This is not funny!” Erin moved forward but still kept at least six feet between them. “What part of ‘leave me alone’ are you having issues with?” She planted her hands on her hips. “I don’t want your damn flowers. I don’t want dinner. I don’t want anything from you. Can’t your ego handle that?”

  “Ms. Sanders.” Daniel’s mellow voice washed over her. His hazel eyes sparkled with humor. “You never fail to capture my attention.”

  Erin moved one of her feet in front of the other in a fighting stance. “I’m going to command more than that if you don’t back off, Mr. Rodriguez.”

  The older woman made a small sound of protest, but the bar owner held up his hand. She simply nodded and waited.

  “Did your students enjoy the coloring utensils? And the coloring books?”

  Erin blinked twice. “That was you?”

  “Max and I.” Daniel didn’t move an inch, but his eyes studied her intently. “We have shown you a grave disservice. One which we will rectify. It’s the honorable thing to do.”

  “Honor.” Erin snorted. “Spare me. Whatever guilt
you think you have, file it. It was a mistake. Simple as that. So you can lie to your mother and tell her you took me to dinner or painted my toenails or whatever.”

  “Daniel does not lie to me.” The older woman smiled gently.

  Erin froze in place. Surely not. Oh please, Lord. No. She looked at the older woman. Really looked at her. Daniel’s eyes stared back at her.

  “I’m sorry.” Erin stumbled backwards and held up her hands. “I’m so sorry.” Her heart beat frantically in her chest.

  Daniel moved forward slowly. “I am having dinner on Friday evening at my mother’s.” He kept her gaze. “We would appreciate your company.”

  “I can’t,” she whispered. She was the equivalent of an emotional land mine. And now she had embarrassed herself terribly in front of Daniel’s mother. Red stained her cheeks and colored her fair complexion.

  Daniel’s voice was low and reassuring in the room. “Ms. Sanders. Let me right this wrong. I ask this of you. Please.”

  Erin nodded jerkily. “Fine,” she muttered.

  “I will pick you up at five thirty.” Daniel moved toward her, but Erin held up her hand. “I have to leave.” She glanced at Daniel’s mother again. “My apologies.” Then she turned and fled the room.

  * * * *

  Maria watched the blonde woman flee the room as if she were on fire. She regarded her son intently. He watched until he could see her no longer.

  “Daniel.” Her voice was gentle, and he turned toward it.

  “Yes, Mama?”

  “She is beautiful.” She sighed. “But her pain is deep. Her eyes are haunted.” She studied him. “You would involve yourself with her?”

  “Yes.” Daniel sighed. “She calls to me.” He smiled. “I will be careful, Mama.”

  Maria nodded. “See that you are, son. Tell me what trouble Hector is stirring up now.”

  * * * *

  Erin stumbled down the stairs and stopped at the bottom. She briefly wondered if she could actually die of mortification. Considering her past, not likely. She closed her eyes and steadied herself. Pushed the humiliation down. Locked it tight. One little dinner, and she could be done with the bar owner and his gentle voice.

  “Erin!”

  Her eyes flew open at her name, and she hid the grimace behind a cough. She was batting a thousand this evening. Mary stood there in a dark green sequined dress that barely covered her considerable assets. One major piece of eye candy was attached to her side. Tall, dark, and muscular. His long hair pulled back away from his face. A face that looked as if someone had sculpted it.

  “I couldn’t believe that was you! But I told Stone that I wanted to come over and see for myself. And here you are!”

  Erin forced a smile. “Here I am.” She glanced at her watch and feigned surprise. “Oh my! Look at the time. I really must be going.”

  “Nice try, woman.” Mary snorted. “It’s not even eight o’clock yet. What pressing plans do you have?” She looked at Erin closely. “And why are you back here at the bar?” She blinked. “Are you meeting someone?”

  “Mary,” Erin warned. “I’m going home. You and Stone have fun this evening.” She turned and walked away before her friend could utter another word.

  The headache began again. The throbbing persisted at the nape of her neck. Erin rubbed her hand over it and tried to focus her breathing. She could usually break through the pain if she had silence and could concentrate.

  Erin opened her car and slid inside. She shut the car door and locked it. Then she focused herself. Found a quiet place in her mind to rest. Everything disappeared but the throbbing of the pain in her head. And slowly, but surely, she pushed the pain away.

  The remains of the headache faded.

  She opened her eyes and blew out a steadying breath. It was a form of meditation she often turned to when the pain was simply too much. Or the humiliation. And, unfortunately, being around Mr. Rodriguez brought out the worst in her. Yet another reason for her to stay far, far away from him. Well gee. Except for the dinner invitation she accepted Friday evening.

  Erin started her car and pulled out of the parking lot with a single-minded purpose. Make it home without further incident.

  * * * *

  She pulled into her driveway and turned off the engine. Erin admired the clean lines of her little house. Her home. The place where she no longer had to worry about food on the table or clothes on her back. She provided for herself. The way it should be.

  Erin stepped out of her car and walked toward the porch. She ran her hand lovingly along the white intricate trellis which would house her vines this spring. The cool metal calmed her further. The sunny yellow paint complemented the white shutters perfectly.

  The structure was beautiful. Welcoming. Warming. Erin had known since the day she saw it that it was hers. And even though some months the bills were steeper than others, she would keep this home. Shape it into the safe place she always needed. For herself. And for others who needed her help.

  She shook off the melancholy as her mind drifted toward her past. Erin opened the door with trembling fingers and cursed her weakness. She was stronger now. No longer a girl. She forced her hands to steady with a satisfied smile. All it took was a little bit of self-imposed will.

  Erin walked inside and threw her keys on the table by the door. She switched her lights on and locked the door behind her. Home at last. She refused to think of the impromptu dinner invitation she accepted. Or the handsome bar owner who liked to smile at her. Erin blocked it all and finished her evening grading yet another round of papers.

  * * * *

  Erin showed up early at school the next morning and began to set out her materials for the day. A second later, Kendra stood in the doorway.

  “Morning.” Her assistant smiled and put a small tray of fruits in the portable mini-fridge behind Erin’s desk. “I brought fruit as a snack for the kids. Is that okay?”

  “More than okay.” Erin smiled back. “Much better than the sugary snacks most parents send. I appreciate it.” She tilted her head to the side. “How was the fictional world?”

  Kendra laughed. “You know. Happy endings and all that. I like to know it’s all going to work out in the end. Gives me hope.”

  “I can understand that.” Erin straightened her papers and looked at Kendra. “Have you considered writing children’s books? Your story yesterday was simply enchanting. You have a way with words.”

  “Thank you.” Kendra pushed her blonde hair back and refastened it. “I could never write a children’s book. The fairies would be highly upset.”

  Erin threw back her head and laughed. Her assistant sounded so serious that she could almost believe there would be a small fairy uprising if their secrets were spilled.

  “You’re a wise woman, Kendra.”

  “I try.” The words were spoken wryly.

  “I found out who sent the supplies to us.” The words spilled out before Erin thought about the ramifications. She turned quickly and bit her lip to keep from saying more.

  “Was it a parent?”

  “No.” Erin smiled briefly and turned back around. “Tara’s getting married. And we had a party at a local bar. The bar owner believes he has somehow done me a disservice. And his honor,” she stressed the word with a disbelieving sneer, “has prompted this giving.”

  “You don’t believe him?” Kendra studied her closely.

  Erin shrugged. “There are few honorable men. And I doubt Mr. Bar Owner is one of them.”

  “What else bothers you?” Kendra tilted her head to the side and continued to study Erin.

  “He’s rather Old World.” Erin sighed. “All this talk of honor. Righting a wrong. I think he might actually believe the words.”

  “And that’s a bad thing?”

  “It’s a fantasy,” Erin said flatly. She glanced at her watch and changed the subject. “Five more minutes, and we’ll have our hands full. You ready?”

  Kendra smiled. “Always.”

  * *
* *

  Wednesday went fairly well. There were four students absent with colds. But the rest of the class behaved and took their lessons with all the enthusiasm a five-year old has.

  Erin thanked all that was good for the final bell of the day. She and Kendra lined up the children in the respective lines and watched as they marched down the hall toward their homes. Erin waited until the last child left her sight before she turned back to her classroom.

  “Plans for this evening?” Kendra’s soft voice floated over to Erin as she started to clean her desk.

  “Another round of papers. Maybe a video.” Erin smiled and slid her papers into her black leather bag.

  “Would you like to grab a bite to eat with me?”

  Erin’s head shot up, and her smile froze.

  “Nothing fancy, I promise.” Kendra’s blue eyes were kind. “I’m simply tired of my own company.”

  “I thought you had sisters.”

  “I do,” Kendra’s said wistfully. “But they are far away from me.”

  Erin warred with herself for a second before she nodded slowly. “Dinner would be nice. But not for too long.” She motioned to her black bag. “Schoolwork doesn’t grade itself.” She sighed. “More’s the pity.”

  Kendra’s light laughter was contagious. Erin snickered and shook her head.

  The two women left the building and walked to their cars.

  “We can meet at Charlie’s,” Erin offered. “It’s on the corner of Broadway and Bell. Think you can find it?”

  Kendra nodded. “I believe I can. But I’ll just follow you.”

  They ducked into their cars and drove to the restaurant. Erin pulled into the parking lot and studied the small crowd already lining up on the sidewalk for the restaurant’s famous burgers. She grimaced and considered suggesting another place. There were just too many people. She hadn’t expected a big Wednesday crowd and didn’t want to be swallowed up and uncomfortable with the other patrons. She got out of her car and shut the door behind her.

  Kendra parked her car and walked over to Erin. “It’s wonderful!” Her blue eyes shone as she pointed out the big, red neon “Charlie’s sign. So vibrant. No wonder so many people come here.”