I pressed my hand to my chest, disturbed at how overdramatic Nick was.
“You’re foul for that.”
“All I’m saying is that you’re never too old to have fun. You should know that more than anyone. Remember how you dipped and popped that coochie when that pro basketball player wanted a taste of your fat behind senior year?” Nick spread his legs and twerked before lifting and waving his right hand up and down.
As he dipped and whipped his medium-sized body, I took in his show with my mouth open. He finally stopped, huffing and puffing like a steam engine with his hands on his waist.
“What you need to do is work out before you pass out trying to show out.”
“Stop deflecting. You know good and well how hot you were in the tail. I thought you were going to leave your math ed degree behind and elope with that man and his nasty little harem. He loved himself some Ruby Belle Starks.”
Nick wasn’t lying. I didn’t hesitate to flirt with guys who could give me what I wanted out of life. That was what got me in trouble with Larenz Starks too.
“I’m still mad that you didn’t drop it like it was hot so we could get season tickets to the Falcons’ game for life. We were this close.” He pinched his fingers and squinted.
When Nick shook his head in disappointment, I shook my head at his assessment of my past.
“You don’t know the real me, so don’t judge me.” I spoke the words with precision.
“I know you were a wannabe ho when you left Farmerton. It’s always the quiet ones.” Nick clicked his tongue and frowned like I deserved his judgment.
“This is exactly why I need winter break. Nobody comes to work to be harassed.” I rolled my eyes, then smiled.
“Who, me? Chile, if it weren’t for me, you’d have the most boring life below the Mason-Dixon line. I know them little craftprojects get more tongue action than your dried-up puss. Don’t get me started about you and them damn coupons either. You might as well get food stamps for how cheap you are.” Nick pressed his palms together on the side of his face, closing his eyes like he was asleep.
I packed the gifts from my students into the empty Amazon box on my desk.
“Don’t knock food stamps. Trust me, I tried to apply for assistance but made too much money. School teachers don’t get paid enough for the mess we go through.”
He raised his hand and high-fived me.
“True dat. If you ever want to turn up and go to Atlanta, let me know. We can hit up all the clubs. Between the two of us, we’ll reel the men in like fish.” He whispered his last words so quietly, yet so loudly, that I barely heard him.
I shooed him away like a fly.
“Go home, Mr. Braxton.”
“Bah humbug, Ms. Starks.”
I tried to ignore Nick, but he lingered and reached for my hands.
“Seriously, Ruby, you’re good people. Smart and funny with one of the biggest hearts I know. Please don’t let the past dim your light.”
Nick knew exactly what to say so I didn’t crumble up and wither away. I wiped my suddenly damp eyes with the pads of my fingers.
“Boy, if you don’t get out of here and put on your corny elf costume for that parade, I’m going to have to wear my shades out of the building. Bye.” I waved him away.
Instead of walking out, he embraced me. I held him as a couple of tears left my eyes.
“I pray you’ll have a Christmas miracle. LaRue deserves to be celebrated for the short life she lived.”
Before I could respond, Nick kissed my cheek and stepped out of my classroom with little fanfare.
Although I had been ready to shut Nick out, I couldn’t. He was one of the few people who saw me for who I was in this season.
I took a final look at my classroom before picking up my work bag and my box of gifts. Before I walked out of the room, I turned off the light and took a final whiff of the pine-filled air.
This started my lonely season, the time that reminded me of what could have been and who I was. I yearned to be the old me again.
