“Rafe says most of the people who have homes out there just want to be left alone.”
“It’s true. I moved out there after a divorce. I guess I needed time to lick my wounds and move on. It took me a few years. I was becoming a recluse. That’s when I applied to become an adjunct at the college. Best thing I could have done.”
“Your students do like you. I hear them talk.”
“That’s the reason I teach. I want to influence the generation of our future.” CeeCee checked her watch. “You got someplace to be next, or are you free to get something to eat? I don’t want to go home. I don’t want to be alone.”
CeeCee must not have a Katie or a Rafe in her life.
“I’m free. We could eat here. Or there’s the Corner Diner. Rafe’s mom works there.”
“Rafe?”
“Sheriff Rafe Salazar, he’s—”
CeeCee laughed. “I know who he is. I’m just not used to hearing him called by his first name. Are you two an item?”
“No.”
“I’m not sure I’m convinced. You want to tell me the story while we eat?”
Janie almost said no. But she’d not eaten lunch yet, not even a snack. “Really, I can’t unless we eat here or the Corner Diner. I should stick close by. My sister’s about to have a baby. That’s why I wound up helping Jasper with the bear show.”
“The Corner Diner it is,” CeeCee agreed.
Janie hurried into one of the public bathrooms and washed her hands. Then she followed CeeCee out to the parking lot. At Adobe Hills Community College, they’d been little more than two teachers passing in the hallways or sitting in the student union after classes.
At least now Janie understood why CeeCee preferred to grade her papers in the cafeteria. No one to go home to.
CeeCee had dressed somberly for Derek’s funeral, too. Usually, CeeCee was flamboyant, preferring loud colors and flowing jackets.
She was someone Janie could draw!
Funny that Janie never used to look at people as her muse.
Today she wore only brown. Her hair, very thick, was drawn back in a ponytail.
“I’ll drive. When we come back, I think I’ll walk around the zoo some more. Take more pictures.”
Janie followed her to a blue sedan, an older car. It had seen a lot of years. The inside was a mess.
“Yeah, the car’s ancient. After the divorce,” CeeCee said, “I had a few money problems. Things are much better now. I’ll probably get a new car soon. Sorry about the mess. I lose things in here constantly. Supper, by the way, is my treat.”
CeeCee started the car and pulled out of BAA’s parking lot. Janie noted that she made no move to turn on the air conditioner even though it was hot. Janie took hold of the window handle and started to crank as CeeCee said, “Crisco sure is big. I wish I’d made it by when he was still little. Do you have any pictures?”
The window didn’t roll down easily, that was for sure. Janie stopped trying for a minute, pulled out her phone and brought a photo of the bear up. At the first stop sign, she handed CeeCee the phone.