NowNever.
Today was a great day, but boy, has it been tiring.
We were in the midst of preparing for all the school's fall activities, including a school concert featuring the band club I’d started.
The kids were so excited, as was I. This would be the first time most of them performed in front of an audience, so we’d been practicing every chance we got.
I couldn’t wait to see how it all came together next week.
“Hey, Miss Zee!”
I looked up from my desk just in time to see New South Independent School’s newest student, Sydney Boudreaux, run into my class.
She’d only been here a week and already had quite the reputation.
She was always volunteering to help and was smart beyond her years.
I couldn’t believe she was only six, yet so compassionate, hardworking, and expressive with her feelings about certain things.
She was a joy to have around, and the school, as bright as it was, seemed a little more colorful ever since she stepped across that threshold on Monday.
“Hey, Syd.” I chuckled as she wrapped her tiny arms around me. I returned it. “What are you doing down here? Shouldn’t you be on your way home?”
“I am! My mom’s talking with Winter, so I asked if I could come say bye to you,” she explains.
“Oh, well, I feel special.” I smile, and she nods excitedly. “Thank you so much, Syd. Would you like me to walk you back down to your mom?”
“Yes, come on!”
She pulls me up and out of my seat as best as she can, and I chuckle at her eagerness.
As we’re walking down the hall, she tells me all about her day and how much she loves this school and her teachers.
I wondered if Sera would be as active and expressive as Syd, and smiled to myself when I realized that she already was.
Oh, I missed my baby. I couldn’t wait to see her again in a few days and give her all the cuddles.
“And then Mr. Honey sang this really cool song that reminded me of the one you taught us,” Syd explains, now diving into the topic of her favorite show, Mr. Honey’s Adventures.
It was a popular one that a lot of the younger kids had been talking about a lot lately, which is where I got the song from. Sera loved it too.
“Oh, yeah, that’s where I got it from,” I smiled. “My daughter loves that show too.”
“You have a daughter?” She asks with excitement. I nod. “Can I see her picture?”
“Sure,” I reply, stopping to pull my phone from my pocket. I quickly pull up one of my favorite photos of Sera and then hand the phone to her. “This is my princess, Serenity.”
“Aw, she's so cute!” She exclaims, and I chuckle.
“Thank you, Syd,” I say as she hands my phone back.
“Does she go to school yet? If not, when is she gonna come here? We can be friends! I have a best friend named Lily, but there’s nothing wrong with having more than one. You know, I always wanted a little sister. Can you talk to my mom about that, please?”
“Syd, are you out here talking this poor woman’s ear off?
” A gorgeous woman asks as she steps out of Winter’s classroom.
I’d seen her twice when she was dropping off Syd, so I assumed this was her mom.
She turned to me with a smile and extended her hand.
“Hi, I’m Autumn, Syd’s mom. Sorry, she can get a little excited at times. ”
“Nice to officially meet you. I’m Zseyah, the music teacher here.” I smile, shaking her hand. “And don’t worry, I don’t mind. My daughter is the same, and she’s almost three. I’m pretty sure she got it from her godmother.”
“And this one definitely gets it from her grandmother,” she chuckles.
I nodded, laughing along with her. “Well, let us get out of y’all’s hair.
I know y’all probably are eager to get home on this Friday night.
” She flashes me one last smile before turning to Winter, her smile suddenly more timid. Interesting. “See you around, Winter.”
“Likewise, Miss Noble.” She smiles.
We say our goodbyes, and Autumn and Sydney are off down the hall. I turn to look at Winter and notice that she’s still watching them until they leave the building. When her eyes finally meet mine, a soft pink hue reaches her cheeks, and all I can do is smile. So, my suspicions were right, huh?
“What?” She asks, averting her eyes.
“Winter Hughes, you have a crush, don’t you?” I ask with excitement.
She looks down the hall before pulling me inside the room and closing the door behind us. “Ugh, is it that obvious?” She asks.
“Yes! You were staring at that woman like she had an angelic aura around her,” I tease. She waves me off, but I can see the small smile trying to form on her lips. “She seems sweet, and she’s gorgeous. You should ask her out.”
“I-I will,” she says, only slightly confident. “I just…hope she likes women. I should probably find that out first, right?”
“You definitely should.” I nod. I pat her on the back and flash her an assuring smile. “I’m rooting for y’all. Just remember to invite me to the wedding if it ever gets that far.”
“I will,” she chuckles with a nod.
We talked for a while longer before I excused myself back to my classroom.
The workday had ended, but I didn’t have to rush out today to get Sera since my sister had picked her up early.
Bria wanted to have a girls' weekend with her, so she’ll be in Lafayette with them until Sunday night.
I missed her already, but I knew that she was in good hands.
As I exited the parking lot, I thought about what I wanted to eat for dinner tonight.
I knew that Kay would be over because, let’s be real, when wasn’t she?
I was starting to think that the apartment she had in the city was a waste of money because she was never there.
But I didn’t mind her staying over. I loved the company, especially when Sera wasn’t here.
“Hey, Zee. What’s up?” Kay answered after I’d called her.
“Hey, Kay. I’m doing great. How’s business going?” I ask, maneuvering through traffic to get to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. I was craving pho and a nice, cold Thai iced tea.
“Can’t complain,” she replied. “Where are you?”
“Heading to Mini’s Cafe. I’m craving pho. Want me to pick you up something?”
“No, actually, I’m not too far from there. Mo and I had to drop off a delivery, so I could ask her to drop me off over there. You mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” I smile to myself as I pull into the parking lot. “We haven’t gone out to eat alone in a while, so I’m excited.”
“Facts,” she agreed. “Well, it’s a date then. See you at ten.”
“Okay,” I replied before hanging up.
Well, it’s a date then.
Those five words replayed in my head over and over while I waited for her to show up. Was this a date date, or was I thinking too much about her words? God, what was wrong with me?
I shake my head, trying to think of a way to keep myself busy while I wait for Kay.
The restaurant was located inside a hotel, so I’m sure there was something I could get up to.
So, I gathered my things, but right as I reached for the door, my phone rang.
I pulled it out and smiled at my sister’s name on the screen because I knew it was most likely Sera.
My suspicions were confirmed once I answered, and my adorable baby girl’s face filled the screen. She’s excited to show the new toy that Zaiyre had gotten for her, and soon, she’s joined by Bria, and they’re yapping away about all the fun they’ve been having.
I continue to talk to them until I see a delivery truck with Kay’s family orchard’s logo on the side, and I say my goodbyes to Sera and Bria. After sliding my phone back into my purse, I finally exit the car and lock it before walking over to where Kay is getting out of the truck.
“Ooh, you look good, girl. With yo thick ass,” Morgan calls, and I roll my eyes, chuckling at the way Kay cuts her eyes at her. “Sorry, my bad. Kay doesn’t like it when I compliment you like that, so I’ll just say, you look beautiful today.”
“Better,” Kay tells her, and Mo just laughs like she always does when she knows she’s getting on her sister’s nerves. “Now go home, nuisance.”
“Okay, enjoy your date!” She yells before quickly pulling off.
Kay shakes her head as she pulls me into a hug and places a kiss on my forehead. “My sister makes my damn head hurt,” she states after pulling back.
I look up at Kay as she smiles down at me.
I wanted to ask if this really was a date, but I didn't want to embarrass myself if it turned out not to be. So I stayed quiet as she took my hand in hers and led me into the hotel. I was quiet as she spoke to the hostess at the restaurant, and that didn’t change when we were seated at our table.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I look up from my menu to see her staring at me in concern. I smile softly and nod. “Yeah, I’m okay,” I reply. “Just tired and hungry, but mostly hungry.”
“Well, let’s get you something to eat then, huh?” She chuckles, and I nod.
When the waitress returns, I watch quietly as she recites the exact order I get every time I come here. Chicken pho, add extra veggies, add shrimp, and a large Thai iced tea on the side. I could hear my stomach growling at just the thought of it all.
The food arrived in record time, and we began to dig in.
There weren’t many other patrons in the restaurant, so aside from the soft music playing, it was pretty calm.
Every so often, Kay and I would steal glances at one another, giggling like little kids.
It was confronting to be around someone who made me feel at peace, even in silence. We really had a very special bond.
Once we’d finished our meals, we decided to head to the bar for a drink. Well, one drink turned into two, and somewhere along the lines, we were once again giggling, but this time, we were also going down memory lane.