I glance at the clock and see that the class should have started a few minutes ago. “Right. Thank you, Carole.”
And with a nod of goodbye, she leaves.
THIRTY-TWO
MELISSA
I teach the next class in a blur, and I’m pretty sure the lesson is neither clear nor organized. I’m still reeling from the news that there’s a video of me on Instagram, ranting about the reasons to learn math. Even more surprising is the response to it; Carole said it was inspiring, and she doesn’t strike me as a woman who’s easily impressed.
After I bring Liam home from preschool and make him a grilled cheese sandwich, I start a text to Luke. There’s so much to tell him: the video, and Carole Chan’s offer of a long-term job. The idea of Teachers’ College. It’s too much for a text message, but maybe he’ll come over tonight and . . .
And then I remember the situation with Ethan, and the expression on Luke’s face as he left my house last night. He’s facing the dilemma of whether to report his friend’s alcohol problem. And that same friend has threatened to report him to the Medical Board for dating me.
It’s not the time to distract him with the story of the video, or even the idea of Teachers’ College.
I delete my text about the video and quickly type another one.
Me: Thinking of you. I hope work is better today.
His reply doesn’t come until hours later, when I’m getting ready for bed.
Luke: Thanks.
I try not to read too much into the single word answer. I’m sure he was busy at work today, and since it’s Thursday, he had hockey this evening. And men don’t text like women do; they like to get to the point.
Or maybe he’s trying to distance himself from me. If he gets reported to the Medical Board, a shorter relationship will look better than a long one.
On Friday afternoon, my mom texts to ask if she can drop by, and my heart sinks. She’ll undoubtedly ask me about Luke, and he’s the last subject on earth I want to discuss. But the fact that she texted first is encouraging; in the past she would have simply shown up. And at least it will be a time-limited visit, since I’m driving the kids to Toronto when Claire finishes school.
Mom surprises me by showing up with a dozen white chocolate macadamia nut cookies from a new bakery downtown.
“I wanted to apologize for Saturday,” she says as she hands me the box. “I know I overstepped, and . . .”
“That’s okay,” I say quickly, aware that Liam can hear us. “These look delicious, would you like one?”
Mom surprises me again by accepting a whole cookie,and we move to the kitchen to eat them. I give Liam a whole cookie too, even though I usually try to limit his afternoon sugar intake, and take one for myself. Life’s too short to pass up a fresh white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.
After Liam finishes his cookie, he wanders into the living room to play with his train set, leaving Mom and me alone in the kitchen.
“Another cookie?” I offer wickedly.
“No, thank you,” she says quickly, but I can see the temptation in her eyes, and it makes her more human somehow.
“How’s your job going?” she asks.
“Pretty well, I think,” I say slowly, debating how much to tell her. “The principal’s interested in keeping me on, and she suggested I look into Teachers’ College. Apparently some schools offer online programs, and I might be able do it part time.”
I expect Mom to ask how I’ll parent my kids while I’m going to school, but she doesn’t. “You must be a good teacher if the principal’s so keen to keep you,” she says instead. “You should ask for a raise.”
I laugh, and find myself telling Mom about my struggles with Vanessa Abernathy. I even pull out my phone and show her the video (I reinstalled the Instagram app) and when it ends, she looks at me with a strange expression. She’s surprised, and I think she’s also impressed.
“You should definitely ask for a raise, Melissa,” Mom tells me.
And she makes it through the entire visit without asking a single question about Luke.
Luke’s never far from my thoughts, though. As I drive the kids to Toronto, I wonder if Ethan’s still begging him to keep quiet, and if he’s having a busy afternoon on call. If he regrets getting involved with me, now that Ethan’s threatening to report him to the Medical Board.
Back in my empty house, the temptation to text Luke is overwhelming, but I resolve not to do it. He knows how to reach me, and I’ve already told him I have no other plans this weekend; he can call me if he gets a break.
