Thou Shalt Not(100)

“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.”