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“My brother was in the hospital.” Her voice breaks as tears glisten in her eyes. “I couldn’t… I… Justplease,give me a chance to explain.”
Shit. She’s either a really good actress, or something is very wrong.
And I’m leaning toward the latter.
Which is why I’m willing to hear her out. But not right now.
“You can come to my office after the next class,” I grunt, not letting all the havoc inside me show. “I will listen to you then.”
Her shoulders fall, but she nods. “Okay.”
“And you may sit through this class and work on your homework.”
What the hell are you doing? Are you crazy?
I rush to add, “But this might be the last time. Do you understand?”
She looks up at me, meeting my eyes, and something in my chest tightens. “Thank you.”
I nod. “Very well. Please return to your seat.”
***
Ms. Everett enters my office as if she’s unsure of why she’s there at all. “Um, so...” Her voice wavers, like she might cry, and I do my best to not let her emotions cloud my judgment.
Very few women get to me, but for some reason, Ms. Everett’s emotional state has me wanting to go to her. Hug her. Reassure her all will be okay.
This is really not good.
“So.” I clear my throat, pulling out my highbacked leather desk chair and taking a seat. “You may pick up where you left off.”
“My brother was in the hospital.”
“You said that already. May I know when, or why that should sway my opinion?”
Her eyes are starting to shine with the sheen of tears, and again I have this strange urge to comfort her. But I stay put, letting her wrap her arms around herself. “Is this the virus you spoke of the last time?”
She makes a weird face and then drops her shoulders. “It is, but it’s not a virus. My brother was in a car accident a few years ago. With my parents.”
My heart lurches.
I think I already know what she’s about to say, but even as the words leave her mouth, it still is a gut punch.
“He was the only survivor. I’m his guardian now, and...” Her throat bobs up and down as if she is swallowing something large. “Andthatis why I work two jobs, and that’s why I miss class sometimes and I don’t have a lot of free time. I have a neighbor who helps me sometimes, but it’s a lot to ask and...” Tears stream from her eyes as her voice trails off, and she collapses in the chair across from me, her head falling to her hands. Sobs filled with anguish break loose from her chest, and I realize just how much is on this woman’s shoulders.
And now it feels like it’s on mine.
I swallow hard, pushing myself to a standing position and walking around the desk to her. Gently, I place a hand on her shoulder, feeling her body tremble against my touch. “That’s a lot for someone to carry. I’m very sorry for your loss, Melody.”
Either my touch or the use of her first name causes her to freeze, and she looks up at me, her eyes reddened.
“I don’t need your sympathy. I’m sorry.” She wipes her eyes with her forearm, smearing mascara across her creamy skin. “I don’t know why I’m acting like this.” She straightens up.
“Everyone reaches a breaking point.” My voice comes out softer than I expected it to. “You can’t keep going like this.”
“I have to,” she exasperates. “There’re a lot of medical bills, and kids have needs. I’m trying to finish school so I can get a better job, and I don’t want to lose custody of him. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have him.”
For the first time in my life, I’m truly able to relate to her. Her fear is similar to mine. Sure, Connor is my son, but she has been her brother’s parent for at least a few years now too. She’s basically the mother figure in Dorian’s life, while giving up on living her own to help him, and that says a lot about her.
