Three
THREE
MALIK
ONE YEAR LATER
I take one last look around my room to ensure it’s perfect, then walk over and unlock the door. My school starts our kindergarten students a day early so they can meet me and get acclimated to their new environment.
The first day is always so difficult. Tears, sobs, hugs that won’t end. Meanwhile, the kids are trying to pry themselves away from their moms and dads to go play and meet new friends. I should start sending the parents off with a snack and tissues.
The small tables are all set with coloring pages and crayons, and their tiny chairs all have their names hanging from a sign on the back. It makes it easy for them to find their seat, and it helps me gauge which kids need help in reading.
Kindergarten teacher is an unusual job for a man who has millions in his bank account, but it’s a job I’ve always wanted. Years ago I had a teacher who showed me that I didn’t have to be a bad student just to seem tough. I was angry and convinced I’d never be anything more than a criminal. I knew I was smart, but at that young age I was beyond caring.
One day my teacher caught me by the arm in the hallway when I started yet another fight. She dragged me into her classroom and sat me down, and told me not to open my mouth until she was done speaking. She spent an entire hour showing me all the ways I was wrong and the path I was headed down if I didn’t change my ways. I was so worried about being seen as a nerd and not a threat, but she told me that the biggest threat was a wise person who strived to be better. “A successful life is the greatest F you that you can give the naysayers. Don’t let their assumptions determine your future. Go out and make something of yourself, then come back and throw that in their face.”
She was blunt and approached me in a way that she knew would get through to me. After that day, I worked my ass off, got amazing grades, still caused trouble but kept it minimal, and got a scholarship. It was while I was in college that my brothers and I created Dare Inc., but I was not about to give up on my dream of being not only a college graduate, but a person like Mrs. Cameron and make a difference in a kid's life.
So while we worked at developing elite gear and later additional businesses, I worked my ass off to finish school. And when I thought about what I wanted to teach, I realized there was no better position to have than that of the first teacher a child will face as they start their academic career. Eight years later and I’m still everyone’s favorite teacher.
The door opens and in walks the first student and his parents. I do the usual welcome talk to the student to get him relaxed and ready for the first day, and the crowd of parents begins pouring in. My classroom is bustling with kids excited to see their desk, and parents finding a spot to stand around the room, waiting for me to begin my first day spiel. Only one empty seat remains when a dark haired little girl comes skipping in, her pigtails swinging and her pink dress swaying. Her sneakers are bright white and you can tell they’re her new school shoes. The kids love to tell me about their school shoes and first day outfits.
I’m so caught up smiling at the little girl that I actually startle when I see her mother walk in behind her. It suddenly feels hard to breathe and my body’s reaction is visceral.
The woman has ivory skin that looks like porcelain, and her ebony hair hangs just below her shoulders. Her brown eyes are cat-like in shape, and soft freckles dot her nose and cheek bones. My feet take me to them like I’m floating on a cloud.
“Good morning,” I greet the little girl. “I’m Mr. Dare. Who are you?”
The little girl grabs my hand and begins to shake it with both of hers. “I’m Dahlia Rose Brooks. I’m five years old, my favorite color is pink, and I do not like broccoli, no matter how much Mommy tries to make me eat it. Oh and my daddy is dead.”
“Dahlia,” her mom gasps and places her hands on the little girl's shoulders. “I am so sorry. She thinks she needs to inform everyone of that.”
The beauty looks aghast and her fair skin blushes with embarrassment.
“It’s okay.” I rise to my full height having squatted down to meet my new student, and I watch as the woman’s eyes follow. “Malik Dare. Nice to meet you.”
This time I do hold out my hand and she slips her very dainty one in mine. “Hi. Soleil Brooks. Nice to meet you Mr. Dare.”
Her skin is as soft as it looks and it takes every last ounce of willpower to not yank her into my arms and find out if it’s the same over her entire body.
“Very nice to meet you.” She nods her head with a shy smile and we stare at each other for a moment too long.
“Hey!” Dahlia interrupts. “That’s my name.” She points at a chair that has her name hanging from the back of it with excitement.
Reality hits me with full force and I remember that there are more than a dozen parents standing around, watching this interaction.
“Mrs. Brooks, if you’d like to find a place, I’ll go over what you can expect this year.” Soleil bites her lips and directs Dahlia to her seat, and I watch every step she takes.
Soleil is dressed very demurely in a black floral dress and flat sandals. Buttons line the front of the dress from the neckline that gives the smallest peek of the tops of her breasts, to the hem that ends just below her knees. The sleeves of her dress do this little flutter thing as she walks and she looks just like an angel. I give my head a little shake and walk to the front of the classroom where I project a slideshow on my whiteboard.
While the kids are personalizing their coloring pages, I discuss the planned curriculum and what to expect from me. I try to move my attention around the room, but my gaze keeps landing on Soleil and her beautiful smile. I take a few questions from parents –legitimate ones about school– and then one from a parent who I already dislike.
“So you own Dare Inc.,?” I nod, already knowing I won’t like what the rest of his statement is. “Then why are you teaching if you’re rich? I wouldn’t lift a finger if I had as much money as you, much less teach a bunch of ankle biters.”
I let my smile harden, my jaw clicking with tension, and use my best kindly don’t fuck with me voice. “Well Mr…?”
“Mr. Lindsey.”
“Well Mr. Lindsey, some people don’t do things simply for the money. My brothers and I were fortunate enough to create a product that ensures the safety of people, but that doesn’t mean my passion for teaching children and helping them become better people has dwindled. If anything, I want it more. To be able to show your kids that anything is possible, is worth more than money.”
I watch the man visibly cower and notice Soleil trap her smile between her teeth. Her hand comes up to cover her mouth, possibly to muffle a laugh, and her shyness only makes her more appealing.
“If there aren’t any questions for me regarding your child, I’ll give you all a few minutes to say goodbye and then the kids and I will start our day.” I end my presentation there and go take a post by the door to see everyone off.
The parents thank me and wish me luck as they shake my hand. Mr. Lindsey gives me a shaky smile and scurries off in a hurry. I turn back to my class to see them busy at work except for one. Dahlia hugs her mom, her arms wrapped tightly around her neck, and Soleil rubs her back. I decide to help her out and approach them cautiously.
“Dahlia, would you like to help collect the drawings from everyone?” I figure giving her a task to do will make her feel more at ease.
She lets go of her mom and I notice it isn’t Dahlia crying, but Soleil. She sniffs and wipes away a small tear.
“You’re gonna be okay Mommy. Don’t cry. If you go to work the day will be over lickety split. Just like you tell me. Okay?” Dahlia places her hands on her mom’s cheeks and speaks to her like she’s the mother.
“Okay my little dove. Have a good day, and I’ll be right here to pick you up when the school day is over.” Soleil kisses her thumb and Dahlia does the same, then they touch the tips of them together and do this little hand thing.
Soleil kisses her forehead and stands. Dahlia turns her attention to finish her drawing and I walk Soleil to the door.
“She’ll be fine,” I tell her. “And so will you. Those papers have the number to my class, so feel free to call later if you need to check in.”
Soleil wipes away one more tear and smiles. “I know she’ll be fine. She’s been so excited to start school. It’s me that doesn’t feel the same.”
“I can tell,” I say and give her a short rub on her arm.
“She’s my shadow and now that I’m working from home, it will be extra quiet without her there. Oh gosh. I’m sorry. You don’t care about any of that.”
“No apologies necessary. I’m happy to be here if you need.” She exhales deeply and smiles. “You try to have a good day and just like Dahlia said, the day will be over lickety split.”
She chuckles and adjusts her purse from where it hangs on her shoulder. “Thank you Mr. Dare. Happy first day of school.”
“Malik. Just call me Malik.” I don’t know what compels me to tell her this as I’ve never told a parent to call me anything but Mr. Dare.
Maybe it’s her vulnerable moment that has me wanting to comfort her. Or maybe it’s the fact that I want to hear the way my name rolls off her tongue. Either way, the feeling I have is one that I’m going to be fighting off all school year.
It’s going to be one helluva long year.