Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 84(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
I get out of the shower and prepare for my day tomorrow. I volunteered to do a Lit program at a local high school and it’s been going well so far.
And the day after that? Well, I get to see Jinny and that’s all that matters right now.
CHAPTER 5
JINNY
I love walking into this school. I hated high school when I was in it, but the child that was left out and bullied, loves being able to make a difference to a kid that is maybe going through the same thing. “Good morning, Miss Spruce.” One of the students waves to me and I can’t help but smile. I love kids.
“Good morning, Carlie. Are you ready for class today?” She nods and smiles at me.
“Are you teaching the class today?”
“I am. I am just coming to check my mailbox.”
“Yes,” she says, raising her hand. “Miss Becky is awful.” She says it behind her hand so no one else can hear her. I giggle for a second because her cute little scrunched up face provokes it. But then I put on my serious teacher face.
“Carlie, that was not nice. Everyone has their strengths, sweet girl. Now, get to class. I will be there in a second.” I check in at the desk, check my mailbox which has nothing in it but information about upcoming staff meetings which we are not obligated to attend, and flyers.
Class is a joy as usual. I love teaching English to high school students, but what I really want to teach them is American Literature. It is not a part of the curriculum in the public schools and I want that to change.
According to Becky’s notes, they are working on Mark Twain, right now which is odd because they were doing this when I subbed for her last month. Following my gut, I give all of them an impromptu quiz on this chapter and find they are all well versed. Inside, I feel shame. She is obviously not taking this seriously. I want to report her. Tell the principal, but then I am the girl who snitched. So, instead, I decide to progress them along and make notes for her when she comes back letting her know.
“Alright class. What do you say we move on to something different.” They all nod their heads in agreement. “Excellent. By a show of hands, tell me, who loves scary things?” As expected all of their hands raise. Smiling, I move to the chalkboard. “Great. Has anyone heard of Edgar Allen Poe?” Some of them raise their hands, others look confused. I love teaching them something they don’t know.
For the next thirty minutes, I am in my element. I cover the Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Raven. I give them another quiz, not because I expect them to be experts, but it is my way of seeing who is paying attention and knowing who might need a little more help.
Time flies when you are having fun. The bell rings and class is over. Once I collect all of the pop quizzes I gave them, I pack everything away and make sure all of the kids are gone.
My mind, as usual for the last twenty-four hours, drifts to Professor Sexy. I can see him in my mind, his tweed, sherlock holmes pants, muscles bulging out of his button up shirt. That deep, sexy, authoritative voice, “Good job, Jocko. That is precisely what Mark Twain meant when he wrote that.” Okay. Now I know I have a problem. I can literally hear him like he is… Oh my Gosh. He is standing right in front of me.
I blink rapidly like six or seven times trying to convince myself I am seeing things. He can’t be really standing in a classroom at the high school, with his back to me? Right? Before I can force myself to move, he turns and is now staring right at me. Holy snow angels. Squeaking, I turn as fast as I can and run to the office to sign out. I have got to get out of here before he says, “Fancy seeing you here, Miss Spruce.” He is not behind me. He is not behind me. Squinting my eyes, I turn a little and gasp at how close to me he is. “Is this how Masters degree students are behaving now? Not speaking to their Professors when spoken too?” Shoot.
What do I do now?
CHAPTER 6
NOAH
When I walked into the office, I didn’t expect to see anyone but Esther, the ninety-five year old secretary. She’d give me a butterscotch from the dish on her desk and I’d flirt harmlessly with her for a few minutes before my class. It’s what I’ve done for the two weeks I’ve been working here.
I feel like my eyes are playing tricks on me, but I can smell her perfume. I can’t believe that I am seeing her here, but I’m taking it as a sign. A sign of what, I don’t know, but I’m warring with myself here. I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything before and I am struggling with that want. On one hand, I want to keep my job, on the other hand it is her. Just her. I want both, and I am not used to not taking what I want. It’s been years since I was with a woman and when I was it didn’t mean shit. I know it would be different with her though. She consumes my every waking thought and graces my dreams.