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Walker surprised her with, “I suppose you’re okay.”
“Do you want to do it now?”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
Melanie thought if she gave him too much time, he might back out.
“How about this? We take a walk to the coffee shop and have a cup.” She knew it wasn’t protocol to meet with a parent off school grounds, but it was an opportunity that might not present itself again. She looked at Gilmour. He gave her a signal he’d be on her tail.
“Uh, okay.” Walker sounded compliant.
“Do you want to freshen up in the bathroom?” Melanie motioned for Gilmour to escort him.
“Yeah. Yeah.”
As they were walking away, Melanie asked Lloyd what had transpired. They hadn’t been gone very long.
“I had a quick chat with him.”
“You did?” Melanie wanted to know his tactics. He seemed to have effected a complete turnaround in record time.
“All I said was, ‘Hey, man, don’t blow it. You have a lovely wife and a good kid. I know Jerome. He’s kind. He helps his schoolmates with work. He’s the first one to grab a Band-Aid if someone scrapes their knee. The world needs a lot more people like him. Doesn’t matter what people look like on the outside. It’s what’s inside that counts. If your family breaks up, everyone loses.”
Melanie was in awe. “What did he say to that?”
“He hung his head. I think he was embarrassed. You know something, MelDrake? People need to learn how to communicate better. I’m not meaning you or anything. I mean friends. Family. Man, people need to get their heads out of their phones and start talking to each other.”
“You won’t get an argument from me. I’m all for an Unplug Day!”
Audrey Alexander overheard the conversation. “I think that’s a splendid idea. October is the month of respect. Every Friday, we’ll have everyone unplug their computers. We’ll have interactions by playing face-to-face games instead of online. Pictionary, stuff like that.”
“Audrey, that’s a wonderful idea,” Melanie said.
“Speaking of playing games. We need a new soccer coach.” Audrey dropped the ball into Melanie’s lap, no pun intended.
“Are you looking at me?” Melanie checked over her shoulder. “You mean Lynch, right?” She gave a nervous smile.
“No, I mean you. I know you played a little soccer, and we need a coach. Listen, the rules are different for kids this age. Practice is twice a week.”
“After school?” Melanie closed one eye, as if someone had squirted a lemon into it.
“It’s only an hour. Until we can find a replacement.”
Melanie made a sputtering sound. Her day was getting more complicated by the minute. “Audrey, I’m in the midst of finding a house.”
“Your parents are in real estate, aren’t they?”
That blew Melanie’s excuse. “Yes, but they don’t normally work in this area.”
“I have a friend who might be able to help. Give me the details later, and I’ll have her get on the case.”
Melanie knew she wasn’t going to be able to wriggle her way out of this. “Alright. I’ll give you my wish list this afternoon.”
“First day of soccer practice is in two days.”
“Yippee.” Melanie sneered.
Mr. Walker was heading back from the bathroom.
