A Better Man(22)

"He probably has a lot on his mind."

"Don't we all?"

"Life does hold some interesting challenges."

"Agreed," he said. "Some days more than others."

"I guess it keeps us on our toes."

"I'd be happy with a lot less drama."

"Me too." She chuckled. "Some days I wish I could just stay in bed."

He wouldn't mind staying there with her.

"I get what you mean," he said. "At least a short break from the chaos would be nice."

"I'd gladly join you on that deserted tropical island."

He smiled. "Before I start imagining all the possibilities of that in my head, maybe we should stick to the problem."

"Good idea."

"So, before this problem with Nicki, did she seem to like the class? Or has she always been a challenge?"

"There's a huge difference between then and now." Back to business, Lucy pushed the small stack of papers toward him. "You've seen the work-­or lack of-­she's handing in now. But take a look at this assignment from the first week of class."

She waited patiently while he looked past the hearts and flowers doodled on the corners in pink pen to digest the words his sister had written.

The assignment had been to describe a well-­loved object. Nicki had composed a humorous and entertaining short story about Taffy Tickles, the orange ragtag bear she'd had since birth. The lightheartedness in her storytelling touched him deeply. He couldn't connect the person who'd written this story with the enraged and snide young girl he'd tried to talk to yesterday.

"Seems like two different people."

"I agree." Lucy took the paper back and added it to the others. "So maybe we're dealing with something on a grander scale here. Something more than just a rebellious nature, a fight with friends, or a broken heart."

"Drugs?"

Lucy shook her head. "I've had plenty of students go down that path. Nicole doesn't show any signs of drug use. She's just very withdrawn." 

"This is way out of my league." He leaned back in the seat and stretched his legs as far as they could go. "I've never dealt with anything like this before. And she's made it apparent that I'm not her favorite person."

"Then who is?" She considered him through the dark framed glasses with a bug-­under-­the-­microscope intensity that did a number on his conscience. "Maybe they could help."

"I'm ashamed to say I have no idea. I haven't been around much but I've made a vow to change that. Still, a promise for the future doesn't change the past or what needs to be done today."

"No, it doesn't."

Jordan rarely, if ever, asked for help. He'd always been a do-­it-­yourself kind of guy. In this case he needed someone objective to show him the way. He didn't mind learning new things or letting someone else take the lead. In fact, when it came to furthering his knowledge he was always game. Rebuilding a relationship with his sister-­his entire family, for that matter-­meant everything.

"I do want to see Nicole succeed," she said. "Helping children become independent, successful adults is why I became a teacher."

"So you'll help me?"

"I'll help her."

She had a right to be hesitant about him after what he'd done to her on graduation night. "I appreciate it."

"That remains to be seen, Mr. Kincade."

At one time in his life he'd spent hours and hours with this woman. Formality should be a thing of the past.

"Since we've known each other for a long time and we're going to be working together, shouldn't you call me Jordan?"

The hesitation in her response kept him on edge, much like those times a teammate worked the puck down the ice and he had to wait to see if it would sail in his direction or not.

"It might be best for everyone concerned-­especially Nicole-­if we keep this on a completely professional level."

"Then how about around my sister you call me Mr. Kincade. And in private you call me Jordan."

"There won't be any private moments."

"Are you sure about that?"

Something flashed in her eyes before she glanced at her watch and stuffed the papers back into her bag. "I have to go."

"So soon?"

"Why don't you try to speak with your sister again? In depth. Get to know her as much as possible." She scooted out of the booth. "Try to find out what's bothering her. Next week is spring break, but before then I'll discuss the situation further with the school counselor and try to find a way to keep her interested in her schoolwork."

"Sounds like a plan." He hated to let her go, but trying to get her to stay might make him look weak and whiny. And in his mind, that just didn't compute.