Page 13 of Always Mine
When he finished, he scanned his surroundings. Her classroom, like Annie’s, was painted a soothing sea green. Motivational posters and those of historical figures filled the spaces over the large windows. On bulletin boards were student writings and projects. Maisy and Annie had told him once that kids didn’t read the boards unless they were filled with their own work.
The discussion was animated. She kept it on track by using an eraser. A person could only talk if he had the thing in his hands. Ten minutes before the bell rang one of the kids tossed it to him.
He was honest with the boys, as always. Though his past would keep him from getting too close to anyone, he could share it like this without commitment.
When the hour ended, the boys left their journals in the bin and filed out.
“Bye, Ms. Shepherd. Yo, Mr. Kane”
“Ciao.”
“See ya soon.”
When the boys had piled out, he turned to her. “Good class, Maisy. They’re nice to you.”
“They weren’t always. At first, they were…rebellious and grumpy, trying to adjust. By this time of year, they’re mostly thankful to be at Pathways instead of the alternative. I’m sure they’ve heard stories about juvie.”
Juvie was the Juvenile Detention Center where kids went when they committed a crime but were not old enough for adult incarceration. It was, however, a prison.
“I’ve tracked their progress so far this year.”
“I think it’s great that you do that.” She folded her arms over her chest. The action pulled the blouse tighter around her breasts. “So, you were in a gang?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“That’s why you started Pathways. Other schools in New York?”
“Yep. I’m giving back for my success, which I had help with.”
“I heard that. But a gang? Wow!”
“It wasn’t pretty.” But boy, she was. He liked how she focused on him as if nothing else was going on around them. He liked it too much.
Sighing, he forced himself to stuff his feelings for both their sakes.
Chapter 3
Annie and Seth sat in the bleachers for an after-school basketball game with the students and a few of the teachers. The games were held every week and could be counted as Physical Education that day. The warm weather made the gym stuffy at this time of day, but Annie ignored it.
“Go Timmy,” she yelled when the young boy got the ball. He dribbled down to the end of the court and at the last minute tossed it to the gym teacher, who sunk the shot.
“Way to be a team player, Tim!”
Seth pulled on her shirt. “Sit down, honey.”
She hadn’t realized she was standing. And yelling.
Dropping back down next to him, she giggled. “My excitement takes over, I guess.”
Timmy had been the star forward on his town’s basketball team when he went out on a joyride with the older players, who were carrying drugs. By default, he was implicated, too.
“I love that about you.” Seth’s tone was sappy.
He took her hand but she snatched it back. “No PDAs in school.”
“I can’t seem to keep my hands off you.” He leaned in close. “It’s been a pretty long time.”
Oh, dear God. “I…I guess. I’ve been…busy.”
