I got my copy of Dubliners from the kitchen and she led me toward the front door.
“Thank you again for dinner tonight,” she said as we stopped in front of the door.
I pulled her toward myself and wrapped my arms around her. I had already hugged this woman far more than I normally hugged anyone else. She rested her cheek on my right shoulder and we just stood there in each other’s arms. In the back of my mind, I pictured lights shining on the front door as Marco pulled into the driveway. I wish I could say this didn’t distract me from hugging her, but it did.
“You’re welcome,” I said as we separated. “Thank you again for the book.”
“If you don’t like it, we can’t be friends.”
“Well then I love it already.”
She smiled.
“Goodnight, Mr. Harper. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight, ma’am,” I said, and with that, she closed the door behind me and I descended the steps and walked to my car.
Dancing with the devil is only dangerous because you run the risk of getting burned, I told myself as I drove home. But, the dance is always exciting no matter how it turns out. But, I liked April. I was drawn to her. It started with a physical attraction. She was stunning. But I felt chemistry too. From our first conversation in Robin’s classroom until now, it’s been there. And the more I have gotten to know her, the more I wanted to know her.
If I started something with her, I ran the risk of losing my job. Perhaps that’s where the dance could turn dangerous. I also knew that starting something with her could run the risk of also getting discovered by her husband, which would be bad for me, but likely much worse for her. I guess I didn’t worry about the dance leaving my feet singed and my body smelling of smoke. But, I was worried the dance could burn her far worse. I couldn’t be selfish. I wouldn’t be selfish. And as I neared my house, I told myself that no matter what, I was not going to get April burned, even if it meant I never got April at all. And I wanted April.
As soon as I woke up, I sent Holly a good morning text and an apology for not getting back to her the night before. She would be sleeping and wouldn’t read it until much later, but I wanted it to be there when she woke up.
I showered at the school, and spent the whole time planning what I was going to say to April. We hadn’t started anything, so there was nothing to end. But, sometimes your feelings can get in the way of what you know you should do and they mess you up. I couldn’t let them get to that point. And that damn phone call last night would turn out to be a blessing for both of us in the long run.
I got to my classroom and the lights in her room were out. I didn’t have a lot to prepare, other than make sure the TV was working properly. As I sat at my desk I began to wonder why I had bothered getting there so damn early in the first place. Of course, I had hoped she would arrive early too for some reason, and then I would have a chance to talk to her and let her know how I felt.
But, as the bell rang to let the students into the building, she still hadn’t arrived. My first period kids began filling the room, and finally I heard her door open next door. I hadn’t sent her a text in the morning. I didn’t want Marco to see it and blow up on her, not knowing who I was. And she hadn’t sent me a message either. So, I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I hoped everything was okay.
I started the video for my first period class when my phone vibrated on my desk.
“Mr. Harper, please hand me your cell phone,” Marissa Campbell said, causing the rest of the kids to laugh. Cell phones were obviously not allowed for the students, and for the most part, the teachers didn’t have theirs out either. When we did have them out, we hid them nicely to avoid comments like Marissa’s.
“But, I promise I’ll put it away!” I whined, and the laughter continued.
“Don’t make me send you to the principal,” someone else piped in from the back. I couldn’t tell who it was.
“Okay, watch the video. Take notes. I will quiz you on Monday to make sure you were paying attention.”
The class groaned and got paper out. I had absolutely no intention of quizzing them on the video, but they didn’t know that. Nor did they need to. If one of them brought it up on Monday, I would simply say that I had changed my mind and decided not to make them take it. There would be cheers and excitement, and I would be their favorite teacher, at least until the end of the day.
That’s when I noticed my pen. That damn lucky Bic. It was sitting on the far right corner of my desk, next to the stapler. I reached for it and noticed April’s red lipstick smear on it. My mind instantly took me back to her bent over my desk, and that thing she did with her tongue. I got hard immediately. By looking at a goddamn pen.