Chapter 8
Tori
“Okay class, let’s go out for recess. Line up by the door, and we’ll take a bathroom break first.” I was settled into my routine, and this was my most relaxed time of the day, and I’d used the hour to make calls and set up appointments when I wasn’t on duty, and today I wasn’t.
“Ms. Bloom, will you be at recess today?” asked a small, familiar voice. I looked up to find Katie standing with a big red ball under her arm, propped against her hip.
“No, Mrs. Lewis is on duty today. Did you need something? I’m going to take you all to the restrooms before we go out.”
“No, ma’am. I was going to ask you about a carnival.”
“A carnival? Yes, there is a carnival in town, are you going?”
“Yes, Ma’am. My daddy is taking me tonight, but the boys were saying that there are going to be animals so big they could eat me up and evil clowns. I told them that’s not a carnival, but they don’t believe me. I told them that was a circus.”
“You’re right, Katie. There might be a nice clown or two, but there aren’t any animals at any zoos, carnivals, or circuses that want to eat you up. I think they are trying to scare you.”
“I think it’s because I’m a girl.”
“I think you’re right. Now, let’s get in line, and I’ll let you lead us to the main hall.” Katie stepped in line at the front and led the line to stand against the wall. I grabbed my cell phone knowing I would be away from my room for the next hour and then while my class filed in and out of the bathroom, Katie asked more questions.
“Do you like clowns, Ms. Bloom?” I cringed inside thinking of all the horror movies I’d seen with evil clowns but kept a straight face.
“Oh, certainly. Especially the ones who make those really pretty balloon animals.”
“Balloon animals are fun. My daddy made me a dog once, but then Mia sat on it. Do you like cotton candy?” The name Mia caught my attention. Perhaps she was a girlfriend. My heart sank.
“I love cotton candy. Who is Mia? Is she your sister?”
“I don’t have a sister. It’s just my daddy and me. Mommy went to heaven years ago.” She said the words with such a matter of fact tone that I had a feeling she never knew her mother. “Mia is my babysitter. She likes cotton candy too.”
“Oh, I see. So, it’s just going to be you and your daddy out at the carnival later?” I knew I shouldn’t impose myself on her private time, but I had to see him again.
“Yep, are you going too?” She rocked back and forth on her feet.
“I am. I thought I might go get some cotton candy and candied apples. So, maybe I will see you there?”
Her eyes lit up, and she smiled. “That would be fun. Could you go on a ride with me?” The thought of hanging out with her and her father wasn’t exactly what I thought I’d be doing all night, but it might be the only chance to see him away from school.
“If I see you, I will.” Mrs. Lewis came up that time and led the kids away, and Katie looked back over her shoulder and gave me a little wave.
I waved back and went to my classroom to find my paperwork. I had her father’s phone number on record, and I decided to add it to my phone, so I could call him while I was on my conference time. I typed his number and waited.
“Hello?” His voice was friendly, but also deep and seductive. I could imagine him whispering naughty things in my ear with that voice.
I snapped out of my daze and cleared my throat. “Is this Ross Reed?”
“Yes, it is, and this is?”
“I’m Tori Bloom; I’m your daughter’s teacher. I talked to you the other day about making an appointment to come in and discuss your daughter’s grades and her reading level. I’d also like to discuss the Gifted and Talented program a bit more and get your opinions on placing your daughter there.”
“I can’t come in any earlier than next week, could I call you back then and set something up? My weeks have been a little crazy lately.”
I raked my hand through my hair and pulled my lips into a tight line. I had wanted to see him sooner. I’d hoped that if he would make the appointment earlier; then I could keep myself from going to the carnival.
“That sounds, good. Just let me know when it’s a good time.” I held the phone a moment, but couldn’t think of anything clever to say. “Well, thanks then, you have a good day, and we’ll be in touch.” I waited for him to say goodbye and then hung up the phone.
I got up and took off to the library where Jackie was stacking books and entering numbers into the computer. The library was empty, and she didn’t get much traffic in unless the kids had a special project or event.
“Hey, why do you look like the cat that ate the canary?” Jackie leaned against the counter and gave me a level stare.
“I just talked to him.” She narrowed her eyes as if trying to remember, but I knew she was only kidding around with me. “Ross Reed, the older hottie.”
“Yeah, did you set up a conference time so you could talk about his kid?” She lifted a brow.
“He’s calling back next week, but I might have an opportunity to see him sooner than later.” I pulled my lips in tight and winced. I knew it was a desperate move, but I was sure it would work.
Jackie backed away from the counter. “Oh no, you’ve got a plan don’t you.” We’d never had much luck with my plans in the past, but this time it only involved me.
I held out a hand. “You’re safe, but yes, I do. Unless you tell me how terribly wrong it is, I think I might have a plan, at least a way to see him sooner than planned.”
“And how come I think this could be a bad idea?” She stepped back up and entered another number into the computer.
“Katie came up to me asking about the carnival that’s in town, and she said that her dad is taking her tonight. I told her I might see her there and she asked me to go on a ride with her if I did.” I waited for her to tell me how inappropriate it was, but she shook her head.
“You realize that would make you a creepy stalker, right? I mean unless you had planned all ready to go to the carnival.” She paused from her typing and met my eyes. “I don’t remember you saying anything about going to the carnival tonight, as a matter of fact, we were going to go out and get a drink.”
“Well, we could go get a drink, and then we could go to the carnival after. I’d feel better going with a friend and then—
“No way. We can go get a drink, and you can go to the carnival alone. I’m not getting involved in babysitting while you and this Ross guy pop your cherry on the Ferris wheel.”
“I wish,” I mumbled. “But no, it wouldn’t be like that. I didn’t want to go to this thing alone, and it wouldn’t look as creepy as if I showed up alone.”
“Why don’t you just call him up and ask him out for a drink sometime. At least then there is no false pretense, and you’d be able to meet without his daughter around.” It was no use; she wasn’t going to go for it.
“Okay, fine.” I turned to walk away, and she cleared her throat.
“Tori, I want you to promise me you won’t go.”
I stopped in my tracks and looked over my shoulder. “I can’t do that, Jackie. He’s the hottest guy I’ve seen in ages, and if I thought Katie would mind, I wouldn’t do it. And if I get kidnapped I’m going to blame you.”
“Fine, we’ll go.” She let out a sound of frustration as I turned around and ran back to the counter.
“Thank you!” I placed my hand on hers, and she pointed a finger at me.
“If he’s some pervert, I’m taking you out of there kicking and screaming.”
I held out my hand she shook on it. “That’s a deal.”
I left and went back to my room and graded papers for the rest of the hour after grabbing something from the snack machine. As I sifted through pages and laughed at what some of the kids wrote for answers, I thought about him. I wondered what made him a widower and guessed it had to have been just after his daughter was born that his wife died. I wondered if he dated at all and knew that sometimes men didn’t date again after the love of their life was gone. The best I could do would be to get to know him, and if he turned out to not be the guy for me, at least I tried.
I would definitely let him know I was interested in having a drink with him or maybe dinner sometime and let fate take it from there. If we were meant to be, we’d be.
I spent the rest of my grading time, thinking about what to wear. Jackie had always dressed up to go out, and though her style was always a bit edgier than me, I figured she could help me look amazing.
I wanted him to want me as much as I wanted him.