Cal sighed. “Do you want me to take you there?” Most people lacked an understanding of how far teachers would go to help their students.
“Yes, thank you!” Todd sat straighter in the chair. “When are you available?”
“How about now?” No time like the present. He would stop by the house to let out Bailey for a few minutes, and meet Todd at the church.
Twenty minutes later, Cal and Todd browsed shirt and suit racks, and stacks of men’s jeans and pants. Todd picked out eight items. Cal added an additional ten. After trying on all eighteen, Todd picked three pairs of black pants, two pairs of jeans, six shirts, two ties, a suit jacket, and a pair of black boots.
“Since when did work clothes include jeans and ‘skinny’ sizes,” Cal asked the woman at the cash register.
Glasses perched on the end of her nose, the cashier re-tucked the bottom of her pale blue acrylic blouse into a navy skirt. “Since after you and I were too old to wear them well.” She turned her attention to Todd and said with her nasal voice, “Young man, you have made wise decisions there. Where are you working?”
“Downtown at the coffee shop,” Todd answered.
“May I suggest you consider black patent loafers, without socks?”
“No socks?” Todd asked.
“I know!” she said. “Sounds bold, but with your build and those nice tight pants, going sockless will seal the deal. Of course, no socks means buying foot covers hidden inside your shoes, and going into colder weather might not be the right time to experiment, but come next March, April, remember what I am telling you.”
“Thanks.” Todd received change for the money he had laid on the counter. “Thanks a lot.”
“Come back any time, and bring your Dad, too.” She glanced sideways at Cal. “You might want to consider a little sprucing up yourself.”
“Oh, I’m not….” Cal started to say.
“Great idea!” Todd said. “Thanks!” He handed a bag to Cal and picked up the other two. “Let’s go, Dad.”
In the parking lot, Todd hooted as he took the third bag from Cal. “Awesome, Mister Forster! She thought you were my father. Wild.”
“Wild, yes.” Cal unlocked his car door with his remote. “I’m happy she didn’t assume I was your grandfather.”
Todd walked backward toward his car, brandishing the three bags with raised arms. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Glad I could help.” Cal waved goodbye as he continued to walk to his car. Glancing at his watch, he knew he’d missed the chance to stop by the coffee shop before it closed. How long should he wait before asking Bryony out again? His sister would not be happy if she knew he was interested in seeing someone from Fieldstone, and dating the principal’s sister did fall right on the line of suitable women, but he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about her.
Today was too soon. He knew he should wait and give her some time to recover from the fiasco with Bailey.
He chuckled when he recalled being referred to as Todd’s dad. No doubt, Todd’s real father was missing out on a great kid. Cal hoped the man would wake up soon. The boy needed someone to step up for him.
When Cal told Mitch a student had complained about Justin Hicks bullying him, Mitch said, “Not much we can do. Boys will be boys.” Mitch’s response had shocked Cal. He had asked if there was an anti-bullying policy. Mitch answered a phone call, shooing Cal away with his hand, saying, “This is going to take a while.”
Bryony Green’s brother was a piece of work.
But Bryony Green was starting to look more and more like an exquisite example of feminine humanity. Exquisite, but also fairly guarded. Considering the potential fallout from her brother, and the fact that she lived hours south of his homeland, he should stop thinking about her, but he could not.
Just how soon would be too soon to ask her out?
BRYONY’S STUDENT TURNS THE TABLE
Sleep and dreams gave way to imagining the pies Bryony would make for Mitch’s staff. She lay in bed thinking through a list of ingredients and formulating a schedule to make room for purchasing fresh products, while leaving time for serenity in the kitchen. When her mental pad indicated completion of the planning process, she showered, dressed, and readied herself for the work day.
A pink glow lit up the eastern horizon. Bryony sipped the last of her tea and set the cup in the sink. She should take advantage of these mornings, when the cooling air whispered the arrival of bitter winds in a month or so. She shrugged her shoulders into a light jacket. She had just enough time to walk to work.
Stepping carefully down the steps from her side door, she tested her leg as she did every morning. So far, last Thursday’s fall had produced only a large bruise, but no lasting effect. All muscles and bones seemed to be in good working order. She set off at a brisk pace.
What a hopeful time to be outside. The air smelled crisp and clean. Streetlights shone on leaves still green, but dull now, awaiting their autumn palette. Bryony loved fall and its evocation of new-school-supply memories, every year a fresh start.
Arriving at the coffee shop a few minutes early, she found Todd waiting beside the front door.
“Good morning, Miss Green,” he said.
“Good morning!” Bryony did a double take and clapped. “Wow! You look stunning.” The young man wore a black jacket over a crisp T-shirt with tight black pants and leather boots rising to mid calf.
Todd blushed.
“You look like a pop star! And I love your new haircut.”
“I cut it myself,” he said.
Bryony inspected his face. “Do I see a bit of black eyeliner?”
“I tried to be subtle. Mom asked me at breakfast if I was getting enough sleep.”
How could anyone mistake eyeliner for dark circles? “Your mom doesn’t wear makeup, does she?” Bryony asked.
