CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The next morning, Misty hurried to get ready for school and needed to pick up Hazel. Thankfully, Sugar cooperated by going outside and taking care of her business. School was beginning in earnest, and the lazy days of summer were over.
Hazel came out of her cabin and quickly got into the car. “After the picnic, a few of us went for a nightcap at Jake’s. Now, I’m regretting it.”
“Who went to Jake’s?” Misty asked.
“Nettie and Jason, Aaron, Mike, Melissa, Ross, and me. It was fun. None of us could figure Harley Kirk out. The fact that he came to the picnic with JoEllen said a lot about both of them.”
“We all saw how temperamental Brody’s father is,” said Misty. “I’m taking a karate lesson from David tonight. Do you want to join us?”
Hazel shook her head. “I can’t. I promised Mike I’d go to dinner with him. He’s here for a short time and then will go to Florida for a while to check on his tennis camp there.”
“Where’s he going to live when the sports center is done? Here or Florida?”
“I understand he’ll be traveling back and forth. It seems like the best of both worlds,” said Hazel.
They arrived at the school. Misty parked the car and walked with Hazel into the school.
###
As the children arrived, Misty studied their faces. Violet, the little girl who’d been kind to Brody, came up to her and handed her a note. “I made this for you.”
Misty looked at the heart drawn on paper and said, “Thank you. That’s a very sweet thing to do.”
Violet gave her a big smile and went to her seat.
Brody sat in his chair, scowling. She tried to catch his attention, but he refused to look at her.
“’ Morning, everyone! I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend. Now it’s time to get to work as second-grade students. Later, we’ll talk about some of the things you did over the weekend.”
She had a paper with addition and subtraction problems on their desks to assess her students’ math skills. While the kids worked on it, she walked around the room to see how they were doing. Brody quickly finished his paper and sat staring out the window.
Misty walked over to check it. The answers were correct.
Violet, sitting next to Brody, smiled up at her. “I’m done, Ms. Owens.”
“Very good. You two may read while we wait for everyone to finish.” Misty walked away to check on the other students.
###
Misty had just led her children outdoors for recess when Nolan Deere approached her. “Ms. Owens, I need to talk to you.” He turned to Hazel. “Ms. Belmont, will you watch Ms. Owens’ class if she isn’t back before recess ends?”
“Of course,” Hazel said, giving Misty a worried look.
Following the principal to her classroom, Misty felt like a naughty student who wasn’t sure what she’d done.
Nolan closed the door behind them.
He studied her. “I’ve received a phone call from Brody Kirk’s father. He’s requesting his son be changed to a different teacher.”
Misty felt her eyes widen.
“He mentioned that he saw you over the weekend talking to his son and felt a less personal relationship would be better for Brody.”
“What did you say?” Misty asked, her heart pounding.
“I asked him to wait and see how things went, that you were the appropriate teacher for a student who is as bright as Brody.”
“And?” she asked, surprised by Nolan’s response.
“And he agreed to wait. But we will be forced to address the issue again if Brody’s father continues to be concerned. Is this the student you mentioned to me on the first day of school?”
“Yes. I’ve been able to observe Brody’s father belittle him and see how withdrawn he is. He’s a bright boy and has a friend in class, a girl who sits next to him.”
“I think you’re the best placement for Brody. But if his father insists his child be moved out of the class, he will be. Is that clear?” Nolan’s harsh look made her want to squirm.
Feeling sick, Misty said, “Yes.”
Nolan left her classroom, and Misty’s emotions were in turmoil. She’d be careful, but she wouldn’t, couldn’t give up protecting Brody.
At the end of the school day, the thought of a practice session with David was encouraging. That would make her feel more in control.
Misty drove Hazel home with a plan. She’d go for a walk with Sugar, have supper, and then meet David for her class with him. He was working long days to take advantage of the daylight, and that timing suited her.
Sugar, bless her heart, was so enthusiastic to see her that Misty rushed her outside and watched her run into the woods and race back to greet her. Misty was filled with gratitude. Sugar was the best thing to happen to her in a long time.
Misty decided that instead of going to town, she’d take Sugar to visit Ms. Overton. At the same time, she’d say hello to GG.
###
As they approached The Woodlands, Sugar straightened as if she knew who they were going to visit. After getting out of the car, Sugar tugged on the leash, anxious to get inside.
Misty went up to the reception desk and asked to see Ms. Overton.
The woman behind the desk shook her head. “I’m very sorry to tell you that she’s no longer here. She died a few days ago.”
Misty was so surprised she gasped. “Oh, I should’ve come earlier. I have her dog …” She stopped talking and blinked back tears.
The woman gave her a sympathetic look. “It was very sweet of you to visit Ms. Overton earlier. I know how much she and the others here appreciated it. Would you be willing to have your dog visit with the people in the living room? They love it when dogs like yours stop in.”
“Yes,” said Misty. “And then I’d like to see Genie Wittner.”
“Of course,” the woman said. She took Misty’s arm and led her into the living room.
“’ Afternoon, everyone. We have special guests who’d like to say hello to you. This is Misty and her dog, Sugar.”
Misty noticed the smiles in the room and unhooked Sugar from her leash. The dog seemed to know who needed her most and trotted to a woman who suddenly straightened in her chair and was reaching for the dog.
Sugar went to each person in the room, allowing them to pet her, and then she returned to Misty, her tongue hanging out.
Misty picked her up. “Good girl. Now, let’s say a quick hello to GG.”
A few minutes later, with Sugar still in her arms, Misty knocked on GG’s door.
“Come in,” called GG.
Misty entered GG’s apartment and set Sugar down on the floor. “Hi. We’ve come from visiting in the living room, and Sugar is exhausted. Do you mind if I get a drink of water for her?”
“Not at all.” GG smiled as Sugar came over to her. “Such a sweet girl,” GG crooned. She looked up. “How’s the Maid of Honor doing? The wedding was lovely despite Everett Chamberlain making a complete ass of himself.”
“I’m fine,” said Misty, setting a bowl of water on the kitchen floor. “Can I get you anything?”
GG shook her head. “No, thanks. Dinner will be served shortly. How’s school going?”
Misty sighed and took a seat in a chair next to the couch where GG was sitting. “The principal spoke to me today about a student whose father wants him out of my class. He’s the same student I’m concerned is having issues at home.”
GG shook her head. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s just the way it was handled,” said Misty. “I’m struggling with the feeling of being threatened. It’s something I need to work on.”
“Oh, sweetie, I understand. It’ll all work out the way it’s meant to be. Have you heard from Crystal? I’m thrilled for her that Emmett chose to take her to Paris for their honeymoon.”
“Me, too. Thank you for welcoming Natalie. It made things pleasant for her.”
GG waved away Misty’s gratitude. “I’m happy I had the opportunity to get to know her better. She’s not a bad sort, just controlled by her husband. I suspect that as Natalie becomes stronger, her life may change. She might even get the courage to walk away from him.”
Misty was amused by GG’s vehemence. No one had ever taken advantage of GG’s being female. She’d always encouraged the young women in her life to be strong, to be self-reliant.
GG checked her watch. “I’m sorry, but they’ll be announcing dinner soon, and I want to get my regular seat in the dining room. Do you mind walking there with me?”
“Not at all. I need to get home and grab dinner for Sugar and me.”
Sugar heard her name and got to her feet, and the three of them took off.
###
After a light supper, Misty headed out to the karate studio. It would be healthy for her to get physical because her mind was repeating the meeting with Nolan Deere over and over. Each time, she got more frustrated.
When she arrived, David’s truck was nowhere in sight. She got out of her car and went inside. A middle-aged man was working with a student in one of the small classrooms.
“Have you seen David Graham?” she asked.
The man shook his head. “He’s marked out time on the schedule. He should be here soon.”
“Okay, thanks.” Misty went back to her car and waited for David to show up. The longer she waited, the more agitated she became. She was grumpy and didn’t appreciate wasting her time.
Just as she was about to take off for home, David arrived in his truck. He saw her and hurried over to her car.
“Sorry, I’m late. I was trying to finish up a project. I should’ve taken the time to text you earlier, but the minutes kept ticking by.”
She forced a smile. “Let’s get started, if you don’t mind. I have some schoolwork to do at home.” She climbed out of the car and followed him inside, telling herself to brush off the day's frustrations.
Before class, facing her, David had Misty press her hands together and bow before they started. She knew it was a matter of routine and respect.
Once they started, David had her do a sequence of moves and then announced a change in plans.
“Now, I’m going to pretend to attack you and show you what to do.
Remember, quick action and smooth, surprising moves give you an advantage.
Slice down with your hand, striking me on the arm, and if I come closer, swing around and kick me, sending me off balance. Got it?”
Misty nodded and stood quietly.
David charged her, sending Misty reeling backward, fighting for her balance. As if he was really there, Misty could see Vince sneering at her before hitting her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“One more time,” said David. “Then I’ll let you go.” He took hold of her arm.
His words struck a nerve, sending her whirling into her past where Vince had laughed while holding her so tight she couldn’t escape, pretending to play around. She twisted away from him. “I can’t do this. I have to go.”
She hurried away from David and sprinted to her car.
David came to the entrance of the building and stopped, watching her as she sped out of the parking lot.
Tears of frustration blurred her vision. She slowed the car, though her heart was still racing. Present issues and past memories seemed to be piling up in her mind, making her unable to cope with the idea of any man having control over her—even someone like David.
At home, she unlocked her house and took care of the security system, furious with Vince, David, and herself, caught up in a cycle she was trying to break.
Sugar greeted her, and they both went out to the deck for fresh, cooling air.
David called her cell, but she didn’t pick up. Couldn’t. She had to figure out a way to separate Vince from David.
Later, when David phoned, she took the call.
“What’s going on?” David asked.
“For a moment, fighting with you, I had another flashback. I need time to myself to work on my issues,” she said. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine.” She’d thought she was doing so well, but now she knew what a disaster she was.