Chapter 23
An hour after Prissy arrived at work the next morning, she received the phone call from her boss that she—and everyone else in the office—had been anxiously anticipating. Dr. Dewhurst informed her that the citizens of Coronado had overwhelmingly voted to pass the $17.4 million bond proposal.
Prissy accepted her boss’s hearty accolades and congratulations, then hung up the phone and squealed with triumphant elation.
Seconds later the door burst open and Gayle rushed into her office holding a bottle of champagne and two wineglasses. “We heard you squeal out here. Looks like it’s celebration time!”
“Yes! Oh, my God, Gayle. The bond proposal passed!” Unable to contain her excitement, Prissy jumped out of her chair, and she and Gayle hugged and celebrated the good news with a happy dance around the room.
Doubling over with breathless laughter, they dropped into the visitor chairs across from Prissy’s desk and sighed contentedly. “The others are on their phones calling everyone they know,” Gayle informed Prissy, “but you know they’re gonna be rushing in here any minute to congratulate you. In the meantime”— She uncorked the bottle of champagne with a soft whoosh —“let’s get this party started!”
Prissy grinned broadly, watching as Gayle poured champagne into the two wineglasses and handed her one. “I see you came prepared this morning.”
“Oh, no, boss lady. I’ve had this stuff in my desk for months. I’ve been saving it for this special day.” Gayle smiled, her eyes twinkling with warm admiration as she held up her champagne flute. “I’d like to propose a toast to the hardest working, most dedicated and brilliant superintendent that the Coronado School District has ever had.”
“Oh, Gayle,” Prissy guffawed, flushing with embarrassment. “You’re giving me way too much credit. I couldn’t have accomplished anything without the hard work and support you gave me every step of the way—setting up my meetings with the various community organizations, preparing my presentation materials, keeping me on schedule, running interference for me with parents and teachers, staying late whenever I needed you to, and the list goes on and on. You’ve been the best right-hand woman I could have ever asked for.”
Gayle’s expression softened with gratitude. “Thank you, Dr. Wolf.”
“Thank you.” Smiling, Prissy held up her glass. “A toast to you, and to the good people of Coronado who put our children’s needs and best interests above everything else.”
“Hear, hear,” Gayle heartily agreed.
They clinked glasses and sipped.
“Now that the bond proposal has passed,” Gayle said, “I know you’ve got your work cut out for you with getting the construction projects under way.”
“Yes.” Prissy sighed. “The next several months—heck, years—are going to be very busy. But right now I’m just looking forward to having next week off to relax and spend time with my family.”
“Amen. I can’t wait to go home and see my family.”
Prissy smiled warmly. “I’m sure they can’t wait to see you, either.”
Several years ago, Gayle had left behind the only home she’d ever known and immigrated to the United States to attend school. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she’d landed a job with the Coronado School District, serving as secretary to the previous superintendent. From the moment Prissy came on board, she and Gayle had bonded. Prissy could talk to Gayle for hours, whether she was sharing humorous anecdotes about her childhood in Ocho Rios or venting her frustration over the asinine behavior of one of her graduate school professors. And every time Gayle made Prissy some jerk chicken, plantains, and rice and peas—which Prissy had craved throughout her first pregnancy—she wanted to give Gayle a raise. Which she deserved anyway.
As much as Prissy dreaded the thought of losing her invaluable secretary once she earned her master’s degree in education administration, Prissy intended to do everything in her power to ensure that Gayle secured the position of her choice within the school district.
She gave Gayle a teasing sidelong glance. “You know I’ve been craving jerk chicken lately. Will you bring some back for me?”
Gayle laughed. “I’ll bring you anything you want. But wait a minute.” A speculative gleam entered her dark eyes. “You used the word ‘craving.’ You and Mr. Wolf aren’t expecting, are you?”
“Girl, no!” Prissy exclaimed with a laugh. “I had my tubes tied, burned and thrown out the window after Mason was born! Good Lord, I already have five children. How many more do I need?”
Gayle grinned impishly. “About five more.”
“Five?”
“Yes. I have some nieces back home who will make excellent wives for your sons someday.”
Prissy could only laugh and shake her head.
“By the way,” Gayle said, “I felt really guilty about ditching you last night. I hope you and Stan weren’t stuck at the fire station too long.”
Prissy smiled demurely, her cheeks heating at the memory of their explosively erotic encounter against the fireman’s pole. “That’s okay,” she murmured, sipping her champagne. “I don’t mind being stuck anywhere with Stan.”
Observing her intimate smile, Gayle let out a shriek of wicked laughter. “I bet you don’t mind being stuck to him, either!”
Prissy laughed, nearly choking on her wine. Dabbing at the corners of her mouth, she grinned slyly at her secretary. “Which reminds me, I couldn’t help but notice that you and Jake left the station together last night. Something you’d like to share?”
Gayle guffawed, waving a dismissive hand. “You know I’m not interested in no white boys.”
“Umm-hmm. But?”
“Well,” Gayle conceded, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “he is kinda cute. And there was something rather endearing about him in that Sparky costume.”
Prissy grinned. “Lucky Jake. Good things happen to him when he’s dressed as an overgrown Dalmatian. That’s how he met my son’s teacher, Miss Dominguez. Whatever happened between them anyway? The last time I saw them together, they were dancing and having a good time at the fireman’s ball.”
“I don’t think it worked out. He told me she might be interested in someone else.” Gayle shrugged. “Anyway, he’s taking me to dinner on Friday. I’m giving him one date to impress me.”
“Uh-oh. He’d better leave the Dalmatian costume at home, then.”
“Yeah.” Gayle grinned lasciviously. “But he can bring the long tongue.”
The two women were still howling with laughter when the rest of the staff poured into the office to celebrate the bond passage.
When Gayle left to answer the phones, then returned a few minutes later carrying a beautiful floral arrangement that had just been delivered, Prissy’s face lit up with pleasure. Even before she read the card, she knew who had sent the flowers.
Congratulations, sweetheart. I’ve always known you could accomplish anything you set your heart and mind to. Those voters never stood a chance. When you’ve finished celebrating there, I’ll be here waiting for you. Champagne…candles…clothing optional. Love Always, Your Biggest Fan
Prissy gave a dreamy sigh and fanned her watery eyes as her staff members traded soft, sentimental smiles.
Dabbing tears from the corners of her own eyes, Gayle sniffled and smiled at the only male staff member. Pointing to the card clutched to Prissy’s heart, she declared, “Now that is how you love a woman.”
Everyone laughed and nodded vigorously in agreement.
Half an hour later, Prissy strode past Gayle’s desk, car keys in hand, briefcase swinging at her side.
Gayle gave her a broad, knowing grin. “I guess I don’t have to ask where you’re going.”
Prissy grinned. “If anyone calls looking for me, you can reach me at home.” She winked. “Or not.”
Gayle laughed. “Don’t worry, boss lady. I got your back.”
Prissy smiled gratefully. “And that’s why you’re the best, Gayle. Simply the best.”
And then she sailed out the door and went home to her husband, where the celebrating continued for the rest of the day, and long into the night.