Just then, a call came through from Holden. I sent it to voicemail. He’d be down here any minute. He could talk to me in person.
“You’re right. I apologize, Mr. Dupree. I could adjust some of my responsibilities and give them to you. Would you be able to go over the academic performance reports from this school year and present them to me over Zoom?”
I pounded my thigh in excitement. “You bet. Just tell me when you want it ready.”
“We could have a check in next Thursday morning at nine?”
I nodded vigorously, even though she couldn’t see. “That’sperfect. Yes. I can absolutely do that. And please send me as much work as you can. I have the time.”
“Will do. But, Mr. Dupree?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“It would be really helpful if you could be here on July fifteenth for teacher training.”
A text came through from Holden. I swore at him in my head and ignored it.
July fifteenth was twenty-four days before the ninety-day stipulation, and I may as well be upfront with her now. “I already know I won’t be able to be there.”
Her voice went shrill. “The lawyer won’t let you leave even for that long?”
I rubbed my forehead, worried she was going to take back her decision to work with me. “Ninety consecutive nights under the same roof.” I quoted Sophie’s letter verbatim.
“Fine.” She sounded completely put out. “But you have to be back here by August third. No excuses.”
It was four days shy of the three-month stipulation period, but I’d pushed Mrs. Serafin as far as I could for one day. I’d worry about the rest later. Staying in Seddledowne for the entire summer was a once-in-an-adulthood thing. If I could just make it through, my career would stay on track. I did not want to step back down to a teacher position. I loved the kids, but I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck. It was time to put some money in savings and build a nest egg. Especially with Christy pushing for marriage.
So I made a promise I didn’t know if I could keep. “I’ll be there. You can count on it.”
As soon as I pressed end, Christy texted. I swear she could sense anytime I had the slightest break. I smiled as I read her text.
Christy: When are we FaceTiming tonight? I’m going to the gym right after school, but I should be done by 4:30. Is that too late?
She was two hours behind so that would be six-thirty Virginia time.
Me: Could we do it a little later? Like seven your time? I promised Anna I’d watch a movie with her.
She responded immediately.
Christy: Is Lemon watching it too?
I blew out my breath. I hadn’t been here a day, and the questioning had already begun.
Me: I don’t know what her plans are for tonight.
Christy: That only gives us an hour to talk.
That was true. But we texted back and forth every chance we got. Shouldn’t an hour on FaceTime be enough? I took a deep breath and reminded myself that if she’d been living with her first crush, I’d be super insecure, too. Clem and Anna could watch the movie without me tonight.
Just then, my brother texted again.
Holden: Stop playing footsies with Lemon and call me, doofus.
I texted Christy back.
Me: No worries. I’ll make it work. Talk to you then.
Then I dialed my butthead brother. “What do you want?”
