Meredith

I am so grateful it’s lunch time. I haven’t had much opportunity to think since arriving here this morning. The computers were down so I couldn’t check my email, or input grades, or do anything computer related. That’s always frustrating on a Monday morning.

Nellie was a big help. She passed out all the Monday flyers from the office and the weekly newsletter to each student’s desk. I compose a newsletter that goes out the beginning of each week so that the parents know what to expect for the week. I like keeping the parents informed; although, I frequently find my newsletters on the floor or in the student’s desk or cubby. At least I try. I was thrilled that I had already created and printed today’s newsletter on Friday since the computers were down this morning.

I am always starving at lunch. I shouldn’t be today, after that wonderful breakfast this morning that Derek made. That was so nice of him. Usually, I grab a banana and a cup of coffee as I run out the door. I didn’t even think about lunch this morning. I guess I will buy a student lunch this week. The kids will get a kick out of me standing in line with them. Fortunately, private school lunches are pretty decent.

Allison is in the faculty break room when I enter. She looks at me and says, “Sit. Talk fast. Our time is short and I need to hear all about your date yesterday.”

“Well,” I begin, “It was absolutely the best date that I have ever been on or even dreamt of. Derek really went all out to make our first date memorable.”

“Go on,” Allison says eagerly. She’s eating this up!

I continue. “He picked me up at my house and we drove out to that restaurant on Norris Lake called The Hideaway. We didn’t eat there though. I thought we were going to. We went inside and Derek introduced me to the owner, Mr. Foster. He told me to go to the restroom, which I thought was odd, but I did. He did say it might be a while before I had another chance to go. When I came out we went outside onto the dock where Derek told me we would be going on a boat ride. You know I absolutely love the water and anything that comes with it. The lake was beautiful; the water was clear and we could see the fish and turtles swimming. It was great.” I pause so that I can take a bite of my food.

“Is that it? A boat ride and no dinner?” Allison asks.

“Is that not enough?” I laugh as I question her. “Of course not, we stopped for a swim and wound up playing Marco Polo. I lost, and, he won a kiss. He won an absolutely fabulous kiss. Somehow we became what felt like ‘glued’ together as we kissed in the water. I could have stayed like that for hours. But, Derek had more in store for us. We got back in the boat and went to a little island where he had arranged to have a tent set up with a table inside. There were flowers all around and the whole thing was very elegant. There was a butler and another waiter who served us the most marvelous food. I’ll have to fill you in on all the little details later since I do need to eat. Let me just say that after we ate we played badminton. He won that game too, but I feel like I won. We won another kiss. It was an incredible day.”

“Wow. I’ll want to hear all the other details tonight so don’t forget to call and fill me in. I don’t guess Derek has a brother hidden somewhere?” Allison is still searching for her perfect man also.

“I’m just having a hard time believing he went to all that trouble for me,” I tell Allison as I eat more of my lunch before I run out of time.

Our lunch time always flies by way too fast. You barely have time to get your food and sit down before it’s time to go get your students again. But I love teaching. I love the kids.

The rest of the day flies by just as fast as my lunch break did. I am exhausted when the school day comes to an end and am happy that someone is going to drive me away and make my dinner. Maybe I will take a nap when I get back to my guest room. I think I will treat this scary adventure as a mini vacay. Nellie and I are both happy when Derek walks in to take us home.

As Derek is walking across the classroom he cheerily says, “How are my two favorite girls?”

In unison, we both respond, “Tired”.

“Well then,” he says, keeping the cheer going, “how about we blow this joint and get an ice-cream on our way home. You can have a wonderful snack; then, take a nap. You’ll need it for our game night.”

“Yay! Game night!” Nellie squeals.

“Glad you approve.” Derek tells Nellie, then says to both of us, “While you two are resting up, I will need to make a quick trip to the feed store to load up on baby goat food. I shouldn’t be away very long at all.”

The ice-cream was a great treat after a long day. Some of my students were disruptive today; four boys to be exact. I don’t usually have much of a problem but I think they are getting ‘summer fever’ since school is coming to a close for this school year. I tried to take a nap but wasn’t able to shut my brain off, so I grabbed a book that I threw in my suitcase the other night. I love to read. I mostly read mysteries; I like trying to solve a murder mystery before the book reveals the answer. The book should grab my attention right away. If I am bored within the first ten pages then I don’t make it to the eleventh page. So, here I am, sitting on Derek’s little dock by his little pond. This is a perfect place to sit to relax and read a good book.

I have only been reading for a few minutes when I hear birds chirping. At first I think, ‘what a lovely sound’, but the sounds get more intense and then it’s gone. Gone, as if there aren’t any birds here. I look up and I see one bird sitting on the branch of a tree near me. Oh, shit! The chirping birds! Derek said that a loud chirping bird noise would signify that someone has breached his property line; someone who should not be here. I am supposed to go to a safe room. Oh, double shit. I hear lowered voices not too far from me. What should I do? I don’t think that I can make it to one of the safe rooms from here without being seen. I have to hide.