Sixteen
Rilee
“So, you passed with flying colors?” Fiona asked, prancing into my classroom with a pizza.
“That’s a bad example for the students,” I pointed to the pizza. The school office doesn’t allow delivery.
“Unless you order an extra for the front desk,” Fiona winked. “Seriously, midweek pizza should be a thing. And I can’t eat a whole pie by myself. That would be gluttony.”
“Or a sophomore boy, which is the same thing,” Mia announced on Fiona’s heels. “I don’t have beer but I do have shirts.” Laying one out across her very pronounced belly revealed a basketball hoop made from the words “Rilee Horner Head of the Pack” and a wolf shaped head in place of the ball.
“After the last couple of games, I thought you should have something snarky to wear on the court.”
“It’s not school official gear, I can’t wear that,” I protested. “And it wasn’t just me.”
Wadding up the shirt and throwing it at me, Mia countered, “You’re not a player, you’re a coach. Just don’t step on the court.”
Pizza slice in hand Fiona laughed, “She has you there.”
“Just some good luck for tomorrow night. We haven’t had a winning record in years.” Mia finally conceded before settling onto the edge of a desk chair. With her pregnancy so far along she didn’t fit in a student desk anymore.
“Don’t sit there.” I stood up from behind my desk. “If you’re eating lunch with me, you sit over here. I don’t want to be the reason you go into labor.” Swapping spots, Mia moved a lot slower than she had even last week. “Is everything going okay?”
Settling into my rolling chair with an involuntary sigh, Mia was quiet for a moment before responding. “I’ve got a follow up on Friday. I think he’s figured out exactly where my kidneys are and has decided they are a good foot rest.”
The pizza was sausage with mushroom and olive. None of that veggie stuff for Fiona. Despite the delivery it was still warm and the cheese was just starting to cool enough that a napkin wasn’t necessary. “Well, if anything happens, we have your back,” I said to Mia, “day or night.”
“That’s sweet,” she smiled tiredly. Sila’s family is in town, so we have help. But I’ll let you know.”
Fiona put her feet up on the seat of a chair in the neighboring row of desks, exactly what we told our students not to do.
“Seriously. Things can go sideways faster than you know. If you need us to close the garage door, or bring the clothes you forgot, or talk admin into giving time off for bed rest, let us know.” Sighing in between bites Fiona added, “I could use bed rest.”
“I smell contraband,” Mr. Lambert said as he passed my door. He was bent over a rolling garbage can making the rounds for students who ate at their lockers.
“We have a bribe,” Fionna called out, waving at the half-eaten pizza. After Saturday Mr. Lambert was the last person I wanted to see. I’d avoided him all week and I wondered if he had noticed.
The aged but spry janitor trotted in and claimed a slice. “I have to eat it here otherwise some kid will make a fuss.”
“Let ‘em,” Fiona said. “When they get as old as you, they can eat outside food too.”
“If they are still here when they are as old as I am, you three did a poor job,” he chuckled. “So did I hear that you were having trouble sleeping. Some crazy dreams.”
I broke out in a cold sweat. How the hell did he know that? This guy really did know everything that went on here.
“Just normal pregnancy stuff,” Mia grumbled.
I was too shocked to feel relieved. Mr. Lambert’s powers of deduction were legendary so it didn’t seem impossible he could know about my Craig dreams, despite having not told a soul about them.
“Well, when Norma was expecting our second, she always woke up swearing she saw that boy’s face. And when Tyrell was born, she freaked out saying it was the same face. This was before these real nice ultrasounds mind you.”
Mia waved him away, “Just labor dreams. Nothing serious.”
“It’s normal is all I’m saying. Babies are real miracles, so expect the miraculous.” Mr. Lambert finished his piece down to the crust and threw it in his trash can. “Well, see you all around.”
After he’d gone Fiona leaned over with her voice low, “I never took him for one of those guys who doesn’t eat the crust.” I was still too stunned to say anything but my friends didn’t notice.
“There is room in the world for all kinds,” Mia said.
Just for a bit of Fiona-style spite, Fiona tossed an unfinished crust down into the box. “Well then, I can let my true crusty self out,” she cackled before claiming another slice.