Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Samantha
Sexy. Hot. Rude. Arrogant. Evil. The thoughts of that man swirled through my head as I walked down the street.
Six feet three, short dark hair, blue eyes, and a five o’clock shadow that graced his perfectly sculpted jawline.
He was dressed in a dark, tailored designer suit that hugged him perfectly in all the right places, while a fancy Rolex sat upon his wrist. It was a shame that his personality was that of Satan.
Maybe he was the anti-Christ. He sure behaved like it.
Poor Mr. Avila. If he lost his bakery, it would devastate him.
He and his wife built it from the ground up over forty years ago.
His prices were the cheapest of any bakery in New York City.
He once told me he wanted to keep his prices lower than anyone else’s because he loved making people happy with his baked goods.
I hailed a cab and had the driver take me home.
“Can I ask you something?” I said to the driver.
“Sure.” He glanced in his rearview mirror.
“Are you familiar with Avila’s Bakery?”
“Yes, ma’am. Best donuts and cinnamon rolls in the state. My wife goes every Saturday morning and picks up a dozen.”
“Would you be sad if Mr. Avila closed down?”
“Yes, I would be. I haven’t found another bakery in the city that even comes close. Why are you asking? Have you heard rumors? Because that’s not even funny.”
“No. I was just talking about it with someone at the coffee shop I was just at. It seems everyone loves Avila’s.”
I inserted the key and opened the door to my apartment. Zoey was still at soccer practice, which meant I had the apartment to myself for another hour. I poured myself a glass of wine and took it over to the couch. Before I knew it, the door opened, and Zoey and her friend, Maya, walked in.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, honey. Hi, Maya.”
“Hi, Sam.” She smiled and gave a small wave.
“How was soccer practice?” I asked.
“It was good. We’re going to my room to study.”
“Study what?” My brows furrowed.
“Mr. Pipps is giving us a test tomorrow,” Maya said.
“Already? Today was only the first day of school.”
“He’s a jerk, and the whole school hates him. You haven’t met him yet?” Zoey asked.
“No. I can’t say that I have. Is he the short guy with a balding head, thick black rimmed glasses, and a scrunchy face?” I asked.
“That’s him,” Maya said. “We call him ‘the turtle.’ She laughed.
“Is that so?” My brow raised. “And do you or any of the other students have a nickname for me?”
“Not yet,” Zoey said. “But I’m sure they will soon. Come on, Maya.”
“I’ll order a pizza for dinner,” I shouted as they headed to Zoey’s room.
It took an hour for the pizza to arrive. I set the table and called Zoey and Maya. As we were sitting down, I decided to tell them about Mr. Monopoly.
“I had an interesting day after school,” I said.
“What do you mean?” Zoey asked.
“I stopped at the coffee shop for a coffee. As I was sitting at a table, reveling in the goodness of caffeine, I overheard this man at the next table talking about Avila’s bakery, and how if he didn’t sign the new lease and agree to the new terms, he’d be evicted.”
“Nooooo,” Maya whined. “That’s our favorite bakery. My mom gets everything from there.”
“Right? I was so angry with the way this rich guy was talking, I had to speak up.”
“Mom, you didn’t,” Zoey sighed.
“Oh, but I did. I even have a nickname for him. Mr. Monopoly.”
“Is he old?” Maya asked.
“No. I’d say he’s about my age.”
“Old.” Zoey and Maya looked at each other and laughed.
Rolling my eyes, I bit into my slice of pizza.
“If he’s about your age, is he hot?” Maya grinned.
The corners of my mouth curved upward. “He is. It’s too bad he’s the anti-Christ and going to bring about the apocalypse with his mouth.”
“Okay. It’s been fun, Mom, but we’re going back to my room.”
“What time does your mom want you home, Maya?” I asked.
“She said eight o’clock.”
“Okay.” I smiled.
Two Weeks Later
Once the students placed their phones in the basket, I sat on the edge of my desk and stared at them.
“Today, we’re doing something different.”
“Please don’t make us act again,” Jeremy groaned.
“I’m not making you act, Jeremy.”
“Thank God.”
“I’m making you judge people. And I know that’s what every single one of you has perfected in your teen years.” I smiled. I stood up, walked over to the board, and pointed to the four names in large letters.
GATSBY
DAISY
TOM
JORDAN
“Oh, this is going to be good,” Emma said.
“Exactly.” I pointed at her. “So, imagine that these four people all went to our school. Now, let’s judge them.” I grinned.
“Oh, my God!” Lourdes exclaimed.
“Right? Now we’re getting somewhere with these folks,” I said.
We discussed the characters. I’d written every answer each student gave on the board.
“Now that we covered Daisy, Tom, and Jordan, let’s move on to Gatsby.”
Travis raised his hand.
“Travis?” I pointed.
“Gatsby’s weird.”
Jenna, Lourdes, and Gina immediately objected.
“No, he isn’t,” Jenna said.
“He’s romantic,” Gina said.
“No, he isn’t. He’s obsessed,” Lourdes intervened.
This was my favorite part of class. The moment I got all the students to really think. Before I knew it, the class was divided.
“Question.” I walked around the room. If Gatsby were alive today, what would he be doing?”
“Easy, Sam. He’d be checking Daisy’s Instagram,” Beth answered.
“Yeah, like a stalker checking her location.” Jarod laughed.
“Excellent. Your little brains are working overtime.” I smiled. “What have we learned from this book?” I grabbed the jar of gummy candy.
As each student answered, I let them have a piece of candy.
“Your answers are great. Really great. I’m so proud of each and every one of you.”
“Sam.” Jenna raised her hand.
“Yes, Jenna?”
“Tell us what you learned from the book?”
“Okay.” I nodded. “It’s about human flaw,” I paused.
“Explain,” Lourdes said.
“It’s about wanting something from our past so badly that we blind ourselves to the reality of the present. Living in the past creates chaos in our present. Remember that. Let it go and move forward.”
The bell rang, and as the students started to get up from their seats, I stopped them.
“Tomorrow, essays are due, and we’ll be starting something new,” I said, grabbing the basket with the students’ phones in it. “Now, reunite yourself with your BFF.” I smiled.