Stirring The Pot

*JAMIRA*

The next morning, I woke up tangled with Eric. It was uncomfortable since we were on the couch, but I didn’t want to move. I watched him peacefully sleep on me, not wanting to disturb the moment. It seemed like he had finally found peace after years of searching. After realizing it was a weekday, I softly kissed his cheek, and his eyes flew open.

“Oh, good you’re up,” I said softly.

“Don’t start anything you can’t finish,” he replied.

And for some reason, that made me laugh.

“Eric, hun, get up. I have to go to work.”

“Thirty more minutes, baby. Please,” he pleaded.

“Wish I could, but the children need me,” I said playfully.

“Let those brats be someone else’s problem. What about me? I’m a child at heart, surely that counts for something.”

I shook my head. This man is impossible. I took my leg and threw it over his body, straddling him. He smirked, and I knew if I didn’t move soon, he’d consume me like he always could. He was so enticing.

“It does, just not today. Besides, you have work too.”

I kissed his cheek again and slid off of him. He rubbed his eyes and said, “Well, how am I supposed to get anything done with blue balls?”

This man is so not real. I smiled and reached my hands out, which he grabbed and pushed off the reclining couch. He pulled me into his embrace, and for another moment, the world stopped. He put on his shoes, and I walked him to the door.

“Text you later?”

I sweetly nodded. He gave me a quick peck and went out the door. It felt as though he took a piece of me with him as I watched him get in the car and drive off. Yeah, I’m sure I’m falling for this guy. I have to get myself together. Otherwise, I’d unravel every time he’s around.

Just then, I heard a voice from the top of the stairs. There, Ayana stood with her arms folded, smiling like she knew something no one else in the world did.

“Mira, you love that man, don’t you?”

I blushed. Hard.

“Stop, Yana. You’re embarrassing me.”

“I know love when I see it. And that man loves you.”

I shook my head, dismissing it as nonsense.

“No, we haven’t discussed it, and we’re just having fun. Besides, he has a family, and I teach his daughter. That’s all.”

Just then, she descended the stairs and grabbed my face.

“That man just spent the night with you on someone else’s couch. Not a bed, not a hotel room, but a couch. I don’t know anyone who would do that except a man who clearly loves you.”

I pondered her words. Perhaps she was right. It wasn’t comfortable, but he never complained. I wanted to dwell on that for a while, so I didn’t say anything.

“And you, why don’t you just use the guest bedroom?”

“I forgot you had one of those.”

“It’s only a matter of time before he breaks your back in, so you’ll want to be on a sturdier piece of furniture.”

Ayana was annoying. I rolled my eyes and changed the subject as I walked over to the stove to prepare breakfast.

“Are you going to work today?”

“I don’t think so. They gave me the week off to work through my emotions and make arrangements for my mom.”

“That’s so generous, and you’re taking the entire time off?”

“Yes, girl! Do you know what staring in people’s mouths all day does to a person?”

“Enough to make you go to school for it.”

“Blah blah blah.”

I began to worry about her. She loved being a dental assistant and rarely missed days. They had to make her take time off when she got sick with the flu. I suppose this is different since it’s her mom. I hope she pulls through. For Ayana’s sake.

When breakfast was done, we ate in silence, as if there was an unspoken understanding that nothing else needed to be said. I glanced at Ayana and noticed she didn’t appear as tired or sad this morning. Perhaps she was making progress. Hopefully, she’d be back to herself in no time.

I went upstairs to get ready for work. Before I left, I checked on Ayana as I always did and went out the door. I thought I was helping her, but in reality, she was helping me. And for that, I’ll always be grateful for her.

I went to work as usual, but something felt off about today. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I had a gut feeling that I’d soon find out.

I sat at my desk when suddenly my phone rang. I looked down to see that it was Chris. What could he possibly want? Why was he calling me so early in the morning? I ignored it. He called back, and I ignored it again. This cycle continued for about three more times before he finally stopped calling.

By that time, students started coming in and taking their seats. Ms. Donovan followed behind them. We began the day with morning prayer. Legally, we weren’t supposed to do that, but I didn’t care. I believed that it helped the students when we did it because when we didn’t, the room would be chaotic. I always kept it short so that the administrators wouldn’t find out.

Next, we moved on to our next activity, where I would give the students two minutes to talk about themselves. They could talk about their feelings, something interesting they’d seen, or anything else completely different as long as it was school-appropriate. They seemed to enjoy this time and had a better attitude afterward because I allowed other students to offer their comments as well.

After that, we got to work. Today, we were going over the clock and how to tell time. I picked up a clock off my desk and began to explain.

“So, this is a traditional clock that has three hands, each representing a different thing. The big hand, or the long one, rather represents the…”

Just then, I was interrupted by the intercom. “Ms. Hines, come to the front office, please.”

My face went pale. I started thinking of all the things they could possibly want because I’d never been summoned to the office like that during a lesson. I motioned for Ms. Donovan to take over and made my way up to the office.

Once I got there, all the faces turned in my direction as if I was the public enemy number one. The looks on their faces were filled with judgment and disgust.

I slipped into Mr. Greene’s office to ask what was going on, and he got straight to the point.

“Ms. Hines of all the time you’ve been here you have been absolutely amazing and an inspiration to not only our children, but staff.”

I nodded although I was confused about the direction he was going with this.

“You are very unproblematic, however..”

And there it was “but”. You know when someone sings your praises and proceed to insert “but” in there making what they’ve previously said completely irrelevant. This was that moment my you’re great “but” moment. I knew I felt funny this morning but I wasn’t sure if I was being paranoid or what. Now I’m about to find out what’s really going on.

“However, I don’t know what you got going on outside of school, but that’s where it needs to stay. We do not tolerate workplace drama and that goes for outside drama as well.”

“I’m sorry, I’m not following, drama? Did you say drama? What is this about?”

“Ms. Hines there is a man outside acting belligerent and screaming your name while banging on the doors. Good thing we keep those locked because there’s no telling what he’s capable of.”

My mind went a thousand miles per minute trying my best to process what this man was saying to me.

“What man?”

“He’s outside. We’ve asked security to escort him off the premises and he says he’ll leave after talking to you.”

“I don’t….”

“Look, whatever this is I need you to go out there and get him to leave or I’m calling the cops. He’s a threat to the students and faculty.”

I got up and headed for the door. I reached out for the handle before Mr. Greene stopped me.

“Oh and Ms. Hines…”

“Yes, Mr. Greene?”

“If this happens again, you’ll be terminated. I’d hate to lose such a valuable teacher and asset to the team. Let that be the motivation you need to handle this accordingly.”

I walked out trying to hold back my tears because I loved my job and what I did. I couldn’t believe someone would be so weird and selfish to cost me my job and livelihood.

I walked to the front door and went out. When I saw who it was my anger rose up. It was Chris. Why can’t this man just go back to ignoring me? Nothing I did ever mattered before. So why now?

I walked right up to him and smacked him.

“What the fuck is your problem?!”

“Damn, is that how you treat your man after not seeing him after all this time?”

“What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t answer my calls or texts.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to show up at my job Chris!”

“So pick up the phone.”

“Look I don’t want to see or talk to you right now.”

“Then I’ll just keep showing up until you do.”

“Are you fucking crazy?! You’ll get me fired.”

Just then he walked up on me and spoke softly in my ear as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear. Which was ironic because outside of security we were the only ones there. When he opened his mouth I could smell the faint scent of alcohol. This explains everything. He slipped back into old habits.

“I don’t give a damn about this weak ass job. I want you back home. You’ve been gone long enough and I let you have your fun. Now it’s time to come back.”

I swallowed hard. Something about what he said carried a certain seriousness to it that I’d never experienced before with him. I was genuinely afraid to find out if he meant it or not.

So against my better judgment I simply nodded.

“I thought so. I’ll see you later ok baby.”

I stood there mortified as he walked away and drove off. My hands shook and my shoulders trembled from crying. I wiped my eyes and walked back inside to continue my day.