“Figured as much.” She looked back to Audrey. “We’ll find someone for you to play with, love.”
“How do you feel about the defensive line?” I asked.
Audrey scrunched up her nose. “What’s the difference?”
“These guys”—I pointed my water bottle toward McKerry and the others—“are on the offensive side. Their whole objective is protecting the quarterback in order to make opportunities for the running game. The defense is all about shutting down that run game and getting in the QB’s way. Those boys are the size of a barn and they’restrong.”
Audrey hummed as Bigelow swept Hersberler off his feet and carried the tight end from one side of the field to another. “These guys seem strong enough.”
“Mmm. They must be building barns bigger these days because I thought firefighters were brawny,” Grace said.
After a minute of watching Bigelow and Hersberler chasing each other the same way eight-year-olds did, Audrey said, “I think I’ll stick to window shopping.”
“If you change your mind,” I said, “I know where to find them.”
Jamie leaned over to say to Audrey, “I’ve already told her I’m going to be on my worst behavior at her wedding. You should just be bad with me.”
With a grin, Audrey said, “I like the sound of that.”
Ryan strolledinto my classroom shortly after dismissal ended. I’d flopped into my desk chair to shovel stale pretzels and peanut M&Ms into my mouth between gulps of water. I hadn’t been required to do much of anything today but I was still sweaty and exhausted from it.
On the other hand, Ryan looked fresh as a daisy.
“You know, you’ve really fucked things up for me,” I said, my cheek full of M&Ms.
He held out his hands. “What? What’s wrong? I thought everything was okay.”
“I’m gonna have to quit my job,” I said, as seriously as I could manage. “There’s no way for me to even come close to this amazingness next year. The kids will heckle me for trying. The teachers too.” I gave a slow shake of my head. “I’m finished here.”
His shoulders bounced as he laughed. “I’m sure there’s another solution.”
“Well. I have thought of one way.” I leaned back in my chair, crossed my arms over my chest. “I just have to figure out how to trap you in this marriage a little longer. I’ll have to trade sexual favors for field day arrangements but that seems like a small price to pay.”
“Not so small.” He edged onto the corner of my desk, his long legs stretched out in front of him. “How long would you need to trap me?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I bit my lip to hold back a giggle. “Probably not more than five years. Ten at the most.”
He reared back. “Shit. Okay. That’s like a for-real marriage.”
“Yeah, I know,” I went on. “That’s taxes, probably some kids, maybe a dog. Definitely a joint holiday photo card with us walking on the beach in coordinated looks. It could get pretty involved. There might even be family gatherings in our future.”
“And the only alternative is leaving your job?”
“Only one I can find.”
“I take it you don’t want to do that?” he asked.
“Not especially. I’m aware that I complain about my job a lot and this year has tested me in ways I don’t care to repeat. It’s left me questioning everything about the education system and wondering if I have what it takes to do this for the long haul. But looking for a new job would suck. Also, I love second gradeand everyone at this school, even if Grace is abandoning me for suburbia.”
He shrugged. “Then I guess we’re stuck in this marriage.”
I gave him an exaggerated grimace. “I am so sorry.”
Waving me off, he said, “I’m sorry for putting you in this position. Just for my own scheduling purposes, when do the sexual favors start?”
I pointed to the bookshelves lining the side of the room below the windows. “Not until after I’ve packed up my classroom for the summer.”
He leaned back to get a better look. “All those books need to be packed?”
