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“You saw me?”
“You mean when you pulled into the school grounds furiously texting away like one of the kids we teach with shit for brains. That I did.”
“It was my mom.”
“Tell that to the judge when you run over someone’s dog or kid.”
Honey knew she shouldn’t be offended but she was. “I’d never do that. And it was just a quick response.”
“Well, you know what they say. All lawbreakers start small and eventually they become more and more delinquent.”
Honey saw the gleeful look in her friend’s eyes and made a scoffing sound. “Fine. Have your fun. But just remember, I have the goods on you too.”
Melanie played along. “Like what? I’m perfect… so it can’t be all that bad. Nothing like destroying school property.”
“How about carrying on with another teacher in the library when you thought no one was watching. Hmm? What about that?”
“What? We were discussing books.” Melanie’s grin looked absolutely wicked.
“Yeah? Well it must have gotten pretty heated because when you came out, your blouse buttons were cockeyed.”
“Since you’re the only witness, it’s a “she said, she said” argument. And I’d be forced to say you’re blind as a bat without your glasses, which I don’t recall seeing you wearing.”
“I don’t wear glasses.”
“Maybe you should.” Mel pointed at the damage. “On the other hand, I’m not alone in observing your transgression today.” Melanie pointed behind Honey. Laughing now, she said, “Good morning, Fred.”
Aw shit!
Honey turned and saw the principal approaching. “I can explain.”
Fred looked at Melanie’s gleeful face and then at Honey. He sighed comically. “I don’t want to know. Just get this one repaired same as the last time and quit playing with your phone when you’re supposed to be parking.”
“Fine.” Honey stomped to her car to get her purse, pick up her phone from the floor where it landed, then joined Melanie. Just as they started walking toward the school, they heard the thud of the post falling to the ground.
Honey refused to look back, but she did flinch… so much so that her friend broke into peals of laughter. “You’re such a dweeb. God, I love you.”
Laughing, Melanie hooked arms with Honey and led her through the high school entrance to the large teacher’s lunchroom where they stored their belongings in lockers. As they went, Melanie asked, “So what did your mom want now?”
Honey sighed. “She’s out of butter.”
“Goldarn it, girl. When are you gonna cut that woman loose from your apron strings? She turns to you for the smallest things. Can’t she just walk to the store and buy some for herself?”
“Nope. She’s hiding from her next door neighbor. Remember, I told you about Bernie Horwitz. She says he came onto her. And she’s scared he’ll try again if he catches her in her yard.” Honey tried to cover up the discouraging note in her voice. “I’ve told you before how Mom used to be. She was the strongest of us all during the year we like to forget. But since her stroke, she suffers from depression.”
“So what does this Horwitz do that makes her think he’s flirting?”
Honey slouched and put her hand on her hip. “Honey – that man is always bringing me flowers and telling me jokes. I-I just don’t like his-his attitude.”
Melanie laughed at Honey’s syrupy, singsong voice while describing the situation… the same tone her mom used when she wanted to get her way.
“You’re just a pushover, is all. I bet you texted you’d be getting her some butter at lunch. Which means, you’ll be on the road almost the full hour instead of putting your feet up like the rest of us. How many times do I have to tell you, we need time-out after dealing with the monsters all morning?”
Honey chuckled. “We do get frazzled sometimes, don’t we?”
“Frazzled? Sometimes? Speak for yourself.”
“Come on. It’s not that bad. Every once in a while I actually see real interest in the students, and it spurs me on.”
