Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 59713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“Ah, yeah, that’s right. Well, tell him I said hi,” Kane said, then turned back to Derek. “That reminds me. Orange peel.”
“Fuck, you’re right,” Derek said, digging back into the dessert they were currently working on. “That would be perfect. Why did that remind you of orange peel though?”
“Proctor has fire orange hair,” Kane said. “Or did, back when I had his class.”
“Shit, I think I’m out of oranges. Come help me look in the cellar,” Derek said. Kane stood and followed him, and I watched them go.
Since they were now ignoring me, I ducked out, heading into the restaurant. By the time I got out there, Danica was missing, probably changing little Jonah, so I headed out the front door. I’d see my nephew again soon enough since Danica lived at the little house Kane had on the property, and they were always around in the fields.
I arrived at the school just after classes ended and headed to Mr. Proctor’s old classroom. The room was empty, so I decided to roam the halls for a bit and maybe drop in on the principal, Mr. Wayne. I had a great relationship with Mr. Wayne, unlike some of my other brothers, and had even done some tech work for his son’s company last year. As I poked my head into the office, I saw that the two of them were there together, chatting. I rapped my knuckles on the door to let them know I was there, and they looked up.
“Oh, hey Alex,” Mr. Proctor said. “Come on in.”
“Are you sure?” Mr. Wayne said.
“Sure, I’m sure,” Mr. Proctor said. “It’s not like it’s going to be a secret, James.”
“Am I interrupting something?” I asked. “I can come back later. I was just dropping in to say hello and all.”
“No, it’s fine,” Mr. Proctor said, his amiable grin spreading across his face. There was something else in that expression I couldn’t read, hidden behind the smile. Similarly, Mr. Wayne looked like he was upset, and my ability to read a room told me that whatever was being discussed before I showed up was more serious in nature than Mr. Proctor was letting on.
“Have a seat, Alex,” Mr. Wayne said. He began rearranging his desk, something I had witnessed him do a million times before.
“I was just telling James here, so I might as well tell you too,” Mr. Proctor said. “You were my favorite student, so I suppose you get some perks.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, taking my seat next to him and across the desk from Mr. Wayne.
“I’m retiring at the end of the year, Alex,” Mr. Proctor said. “I finally decided to give up the ghost and let someone else take the lead.”
I nodded and grinned, even though a pang of sadness gripped me.
“I am split on feeling happy for you and sad for the school, Mr. Proctor,” I said.
“Please, you haven’t been my student for twenty years. Call me Frank,” he said, smiling.
“Not when we’re in these halls,” I said. “I wouldn’t disrespect you that way.”
“I always liked this one,” Mr. Wayne said.
“Well, hopefully you will extend that same respect to the student teacher who will be starting soon,” Mr. Proctor said.
“I’m sure he will,” Mr. Wayne said. “Are you still helping Frank with his classes, Alex?”
“I am. Was. I have been,” I said, stammering. “Who’s taking over?”
“Young woman, very highly recommended,” Mr. Proctor said. “She’s extremely bright, and I think she will be able to lead a new generation in a way that perhaps I couldn’t. It’s getting harder and harder to relate to these kids who have grown up with cell phones more powerful than any computer I had until my forties,” he said.
“It’s the end of an era,” I said. “I’m sorry to see you go, but I’m glad you’re going to be taking it easy. You deserve to.”
“Ah, you know me,” he said. “Six months of doing nothing and I’ll be bouncing off the walls. Hopefully Martha will have some projects for me, and I can find a new hobby. Maybe bird-watching?”
“Chess,” Mr. Wayne said. “You were always good at chess.”
“Better than you isn’t the same as good,” Mr. Proctor said, and we all laughed. “But yes, something to occupy my time.” He turned to me again. “You will help her out a bit, right?”
Nodding, I smiled. “Of course, Mr. Proctor. Anything for my favorite teacher.”
CHAPTER 3
CAMILLA
The phone call ended when I sat down hard on the linoleum floor of my tiny kitchen. For a few seconds, I was completely stunned. I couldn’t even remember if I had actually said goodbye or not. It was entirely possible I had just made a few confirming sounds and then hung up. I hoped not. That definitely wasn’t the kind of impression I wanted to leave.
Except, I had apparently made a good impression already. This time the tears came. Everything in me released, and a rush of emotion came over me. It was like everything I had been holding back, desperately trying to keep myself together and hold down as much control as I could, finally came out.