“I saw enough, but it still doesn’t matter, Carter. Even if I believe you, even with these messages, it doesn’t fix what you broke.”
Moisture coats her eyes. My stomach drops when one breaks and falls down her freckled cheek.She hates crying.
“I never wanted her, Becks.”
“It still doesn’t matter, Carter. You should have told me everything sooner. Maybe then…” she trails off, then, “you could have told me, but you didn’t. She knew more about your life than your own fiancé.” Her voice cracks, but she pushes through. “I was just home alone, and…you know what, I’m done here. She starts on Monday. I’m tired. I’m going back inside.” Becky then tosses my phone back at me, gently, which almost makes me sad.
Before she gets to the door, she stops and calls out, “I’m keeping your dog.”
In an attempt to alleviate my pain, I laugh, just a little. “Yeah, I know.” There’s nowhere else I’d rather Daisy be, I’d just like to be here with them all.
Becky nods again, her back still to me, and walks through herfront door, flickering porchlight illuminating her briefly, and I just stand and watch.
I watch my heart walk away once again. I wait for the lights in the house to shut off and look for her shadow. I stand there long after all movement stops, and finally, I reach up a trembling hand, flick my headlamp back on, and then I change her oil.
12
THE NEW TA
BECKY
The rest of the weekend passed by in a blur. I was glad Carter and I had that talk—so much of what I was clueless about came to light. I know there is so much more to what happened, like when it all turned physical, but I still feel raw from the emotional overload, and that’s just not my priority right now. I choose to squash down my pain and keep on moving along. I have work to do.
I spend Monday morning getting my room and planning closer and closer to being ready for the rugrats, who are arriving in no-time-thirty. By now, I only have some busy work left that I’ve always asked the Teacher Assistants to help with in the past: labeling, printing, making copies. Today is my TA’s first day, so I brought in a treat and a packet like I always do with a new TA, IA, or basically any help I’m lucky enough to get in the general classroom.
Now I’m waiting forherto arrive. She’s late…by an hour.Car trouble I’m sure.
At that thought, in glides none other than Jill Farris, our head secretary. She’s worked here through five administrators, and babysat the current superintendent when he was in diapers. Nobody sane messes with Jill.
“Oh, hey Jill, how’s the peacock?”Anybody who owns a peacock should expect this question.
“Fine. Where’s my niece?” She bites out. I hesitate because I have no idea. She misreads my hesitation and rolls her eyes.
“Oh please, we all know you know who she is. Taylor Harrison?”
“I haven’t seen her yet. Did you check science with Vicky?”Witch.
“No. I assumed you were hogging her. Send her my way when you see her. I need her first.” She huffs, then leaves.
God bless America with that one.
I haven’t moved from the kidney table where I’m cutting out some names for the bulletin board when the clicking of heels grabs my attention. I look up to see…a face covered by flowers.
They’re slowly, carefully lowered to the table, directly in front of me, and directly on what I’m working on. Shockingly, Taylor appears from behind them; her lovely face wearing an ugly expression.
I paste on a smile. “Wow, those are lovely. Are they yours?”Dumb question, but what the fork is she doing?
“Oh,” Taylor says, “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you back there. I’m just admiring my flowers from my special someone. Do you want to read the card? It’s so sweet.”
I grit my teeth because I have a single guess who she’s talking about. Sure enough, she shoves the card into my face.
Tay, here are some gorgeous flowers for a gorgeous woman on her first day of work. I know you’ll be amazing. I can’t wait to celebrate with you in person. Yours, Carter
I am immediately suspicious because that soundsnothinglike Carter, but I also can’t bepositive, and that just sucks.
I got a good look at the deleted messages between Carter and Tay ;), who now, too late, is back to Taylor in his phone. I didn’t see much other than what you’d expect from exactly what Carter told me was happening. Pick up, drop off, money owed, some advice and concern sprinkled indaily,and a lot of her trying to blur the lines and him ignoring it. It was better than him encouraging and reciprocating, but ignoring it obviously did not make the problem go away.
Then there were the five phone calls he made, and countless phone calls she made afterthatnight. It all fits his narrative, but that’s all I have to work with. His narrative, and now this bullcrap.
