Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
“ H ey, Hank. You got a second?”
Hank’s eyes moved from the files on his desk to John.
“Sit.”
“I’m sorry it’s taken me a week to say this, but thanks again for letting me take Abby home the other night so I could make sure she was okay.”
“I don’t give a fuck about that, John. Family comes first. You think I would have gone back to work if that had been Daisy? Hell no. I wouldn’t expect that of anyone who works for me.”
“I don’t understand what happened.”
“The details we have definitely don’t paint a very cohesive picture. I told Daisy no more girls’ nights out. They are nothing but trouble.”
John laughed. “How’d that go over for you?”
Hank smirked. “Let’s just say the phrase ‘she had me by my balls’ isn’t a euphemism. I forgot how stubborn she can be.”
“Maybe an end to girls’ night isn’t the answer. Maybe we just need one of us to be there, or they stay at one of our houses.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Although, the apartment above Emma’s is on the small side. It’s going to be tough when it’s Abby’s turn to host.”
Hank’s raised eyebrow was taunting John.
“I don’t think she’ll be in that apartment for much longer.”
“Oh, really?”
“I’m saying this as your friend, not as someone who directly reports to you… cut the shit and just say what you want to say.”
“I saw you at Sal’s. How you were with her. How concerned. How everything around you seemed to disappear when your focus was on her. In the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you like that. I thought it was because of Katy, but I don’t think that’s it now. You were just waiting.”
John nodded. Hank was right. There wasn’t anyone before who he’d wanted to bring into his life. Until Abby. When she walked into a room, it was like seeing the first bluebell on a bright spring day. Having her in his arms flooded his body with the warmth of being home. Comfortable. Peaceful. Loved.
“Yeah, I was. And you’re right. I already feel like she’s the one, Hank. I’m planning on asking her to move in with us soon. I just don’t want to scare her away.”
Hank smiled and nodded his head.
“You won’t. I’m going to be sappy here, and if you talk about it to anyone outside of these four walls, I will deny everything and make you do front desk duty for a month. But take it from someone who didn’t make a move until it was almost too late. Tell her what you want. The way you two look at each other, I have no doubt she’s ready to take that next step with you.”
“Sappy looks good on you, buddy.” John ran his hands down his legs. “I asked her to go to my parents’ house for family dinner tomorrow night. I figure if she can make it through that without wanting to run in the other direction, I’ll have a shot of her agreeing to move in.”
“I’m rooting for you.”
“Ms. Abby, could I see you in the hallway please.”
Abby stood at the back of her class, helping some of her kiddos trace their hands onto colored paper. Her principal’s voice was stern, and a million worries flooded Abby’s mind.
“Oh, Ms. Margery, give me just one moment and I’ll be right there.”
Her principal nodded and closed the door behind her as she left the classroom. Unease settled in her stomach. There was no reason why her principal would need to come directly to her classroom to speak with her unless it was bad news.
“Ms. Mary Beth, can you watch over our friends while I go speak with Ms. Margery for a second.”
“Sure. Is everything okay?” Mary Beth had the same concerned look on her face that Abby knew she was wearing.
“I’m not sure. I’ll let you know,” she whispered. “Okay friends! Ms. Abby needs to step out into the hall for just a moment. I want you to keep working on tracing your hands and then cutting them out. All of your turkeys are looking so good! Be ready to show me your progress when I come back.”
Abby stepped into the hallway, closing her classroom door behind her.
“Abby,” Margery looked up from her cell phone. “I’m so sorry, but a parent has complained about your classroom behavior being unprofessional. I’m here to let you know it’s been formally documented and per the school’s policy, we’ll be doing increased observations in your classroom.”
Abby could not have been more shocked. In the myriad of scenarios she’d run through, that had never even crossed her mind as being possible.
“I don’t understand. Who made the complaint? What was it about?”
“The parent wishes to remain anonymous, but the complaint was about favoritism.”
“That’s ridiculous, and you should know that.”
Margery held her hand up. “This is your first year in the classroom. I know that it’s a big adjustment and I remember the struggles with classroom dynamics and what kids tell their parents about what happens at school. I haven’t made a decision one way or the other about the truthfulness of the statement, and that’s why I’ll be coming in to watch your class more frequently over the next several weeks before we break for Christmas and the New Year.”
“I understand the need to take the complaint seriously, but I am a little heartbroken that any of my kids could feel like there is favoritism in my classroom.”
“We’ll figure it out. I’m going to send you a schedule for when I’ll be in your classroom for sure, but remember, I’ll also be randomly dropping in.”
“That’s no problem. Thank you for letting me know, and I’m sure we’ll be able to settle this all very quickly.”
Abby gave herself one minute to just breathe in the hallway as she listened to the clicks of her principal’s high heels fade into the distance. Then she turned and headed back to her class.
“Okay, kiddos! Hold those turkeys up and let me see how far you got.”
A dozen misshapen card stock hand turkeys were held up and she took time to “ooh” and “ahh” over each one. They sang the classroom cleanup song and she helped the kids get their stations cleaned up, all the while a little voice in the back of her head tried to work through the information she’d been given in the hall.
“It’s time for Ms. Mary Beth to walk you down to the gym. I’m going to be putting these parent volunteer forms into your backpacks for the winter carnival! Please, please, please, remember to have your parents take out your work folder tonight and sign up for a spot if they can! Now, line up, nice and quiet, so Ms. Mary Beth can get you to your next class.”
“Ms. Abby!”
“Yes, Hunter?”
“My mama is gonna come help!”
“Oh, for the winter carnival?”
“Yes!”
“My mommy wants to come too!” Honey bounced up and down at her desk.
“That’s great you guys. Be sure to have her sign that slip, okay? That’s how I’m keeping track of all the parents coming.”
“I will, Ms. Abby.”
“Good. It looks like Katy is waiting to hold your hand for partners, Honey. Best be going.”
Katy smiled as the little girl ran and took her hand, pulling her out into the hallway.
Finally having a minute before Mary Beth would be back, Abby picked up her phone. She smiled as she saw the message notification.
Deputy Handsome: How’s your day been, beautiful?
Abby: I want to cry.
Deputy Handsome: …
Deputy Handsome: …
Deputy Handsome: Why? What happened? Are you okay?
Abby: I’m fine. Don’t worry. Just…I guess a parent complained about me to my principal. She’s going to be doing a bunch of observations on my class now because apparently I’ve been favoring certain kids in my class over others.
Deputy Handsome: I’m sorry, baby. I know you are an amazing teacher. Katy loves going to school now, and last year all she did was cry and beg me not to make her go.
Abby: That’s sweet. I love having her in my class this year. I’m just worried about my placement. She couldn’t even tell me what parent had complained because they wanted to remain anonymous. I don’t know, it just feels yucky.
Deputy Handsome: Do you think this is about us? About Katy being in your class?
Abby: No. I’m sure it’s something else. I’ll figure it out. How did your meeting with Hank go?
Deputy Handsome: It was fine. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow. We’re still on for taking Katy to that new park in Lark Lake, right? And going to family dinner after?
Abby: Yes. I can’t wait. Shoot. Mary Beth just walked back in. I need to let her know what’s going on.
Deputy Handsome: Hope the rest of your day goes better.
Abby: Stay safe, Deputy…
Deputy Handsome: Jesus, woman. You know what it does to me when you say that. I wish I was picking Katy up from school this afternoon. I’ve never been so jealous of Jackson before in my life…
Abby laughed as she set her phone on her desk. She just needed to get through the rest of the day, and then she’d be able to spend the weekend with her two favorite people.