Fatty Patty (A James Bay Novel) (23 page)

“She phoned the school office yesterday. I knew she was going to complain. Sure enough, she insisted on meeting with Chuck Stevens and me.”

A meeting? I feel myself go cold. A meeting about what? Their romantic involvement? His sexual performance? I stare at my half-eaten sandwich. The sight of it makes me want to gag. God, I shouldn’t be hearing this. I don’t want to hear this.

“That’s why I came down to talk to you. I thought I should be the one to tell you about Lauren switching classrooms.”

“Wait a minute.” I shake my head, suck in a deep breath. Somehow our conversation has wandered into a whole new territory. “Do you mean that Phyllis Conard came here to complain about me?”

Why the hell wasn’t I at that meeting? Lauren is my student.

“Exactly,” he says. “I told them you had a right to be there. I said you deserved to present your side of things. I did my best to try and make them listen. We’re a team, Patty. You and me, right?”

If that’s the kind of team Nick’s running, I want no part of it.

“No need to bother you with all the details.” Nick swings one leg against the desk. “Phyllis was adamant about pulling Lauren out of your class and putting her in mine. She wanted to do it this week instead of waiting until after Christmas break but I managed to talk her out of it.”

“How wonderful,” I mutter.

“Phyllis didn’t think so.” He chuckles. “She was not a happy camper.’

Blood rushes through my head, pounds in my ears. What a weasel! He looks so smug and proud of himself, but I’ll be damned if I’ll give him the satisfaction of seeing how much this hurts. And as for Chuck Stevens? I might just file a grievance against our principal with the union. After all, I’m still Lauren’s teacher—at least until Christmas break. They never should have gone behind my back. I had every right to be at that meeting. I should have had a chance to defend myself.

And it’s not hard to imagine the horrible things Phyllis must have said about me. I close my eyes, remembering the disgust on her face as she caught her husband fondling my thigh. Who knows? Maybe she turned this whole thing against me and made it look like I’m the one who came on to him. A parent complaining about a child’s teacher? I might as well kiss that nomination for Teacher of the Year good-bye.

As for Nick Lamont? He’s still in the running.

“So, I assume the meeting went well. Mind telling me exactly what was decided?” I struggle to keep my voice steady.

Nick shrugs. “You’ve known Chuck Stevens longer than me. He wasn’t about to argue with Phyllis… especially since her husband owns a good chunk of the real estate in town. Basically he told her whatever she wanted was all right by him. As long as you and I get things squared away.”

“And that’s why you’re here.” I level him with a narrow stare. “To get everything squared away. To get a leg up on how Lauren’s doing. To find out what you can about her before you take over.”

“Huh?” Nick scratches his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told them Lauren didn’t belong in my class… not when she’s already got the best teacher in school.”

My heart pounds to a stop. “Excuse me?”

“I said they’d be stupid to pull Lauren out of your classroom.”

I blink. “You told them that?”

“Damn right I did. And they listened, too. She’s all yours, Patty.”

“I… I don’t know what to say.” Suddenly my throat feels scratchy and dry, and I can’t get the words out of my mouth. Somehow,
thank you
doesn’t seem appropriate. If only I’d been asked, I would gladly have transferred Lauren into Nick’s class. She’s been nothing but trouble since the school year started and her attitude gets worse by the day. But no one ever gave me a choice. Chuck Stevens and Phyllis Conard took charge of the situation and handed control of it over to Nick… who handed it back to me.

She’s already got the best teacher in school.

“Except for reading, that is,” he adds. “I’d like Lauren to stay in my group. She’s been with us all year. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not.” Somehow I manage a weak smile. “Thanks, Nick.” When it came to crunch time, he stood up for me to both Chuck Stevens and Phyllis Conard. Who would have guessed?

Merry Christmas, me!

“Great. Lauren’s the best reader in my class and the other kids look up to her. Having her around makes it easier for me.” He hoists himself off Eric’s desk. “I’ve got to get going, but I wanted to get this straightened out first. Like I said, I figured you heard about the meeting and I wanted you to know exactly what happened. The last thing I want is problems between us.” His eyes soften. “You and me, we’re a team, Patty. So, we’re okay again, right?”

Okay? We are definitely more than okay. I force a brilliant smile. “We’re fine.”

He grins, gives me a thumbs-up. “Great.”

I owe him an apology. A big apology. “Nick, if you’ve got a minute, I’d really like to talk. I just want to—”

“Can it wait?” He points at his watch. “I was due up at the high school for practice fifteen minutes ago.” He starts for the door, then halts and pulls a folded scrap of paper from his pocket. He hands it to me. “I almost forgot. This is for you.”

I scan the one page grid sheet. “What is it?”

“Our basketball schedule. The team had a lousy record last year. Last thing I want is those kids playing to an empty gym.” He points a finger at me and winks. “You promised, remember? I’m counting on you to cheer us on.”

I fold the schedule in half and tuck it in my purse as he heads out the door. Who cares if I’m still too big to wriggle into a cheerleader’s outfit? Nick and I are a team again. He cheered me on in front of Chuck Stevens and Phyllis Conard. The least I can do is show up at his games. Let the other people root for the team.

I’ll be the one cheering for the coach.

# # #

“Buying yourself a Christmas present?”

I glance up from the gleaming diamond display case and flash Sam a guilty smile. “Just window-shopping.”

Little fib or big lie? I’ve been waiting in this crowded jewelry store for over five minutes for someone to wait on me. I’m picking up Nick’s gift which the store had engraved. I casually shove the receipt for his Christmas present back inside my coat pocket.

“See anything that looks good?” Sam noses around the counter, scanning the cases.

“Actually, I did.” I point to the elaborate arrangement of fine dishes elegantly displayed on a nearby wall. “Priscilla’s still mad at me about Mama’s turkey platter. I was hoping I’d find one to replace it.”

He scans the shelf, frowns. “That looks like a different pattern.”

I nod. “They can special order the one I want, but three hundred dollars is way over my budget.” I sigh, shrug. “Hopefully next year money won’t be so tight.”

His eyes soften. “Don’t worry. We’ll get your finances straightened out before then, Patty. I promise.”

Why is he being so nice? The last time we talked was the night of Amy’s party when I turned my back on him and marched out the front door in those stupid high heels. Today I’m wearing boots. I tug at my scarf, run a hand through my curls, lift them off my neck. The store is crowded and I’m getting hot, standing here wrapped up in my coat.

Sam peers down through the shiny display case. Diamond bracelets and necklaces glitter like expensive ice. “Got all your other shopping done?”

“Well, there’s still Priscilla.”

“What about me?”

I can’t help laughing at the hopeful grin on his face. I ordered his Christmas present online weeks ago and the sleek purple swim fins are already wrapped and under our tree. They’re a perfect match for the goggles he wears at the pool. “You’ll have to wait until Friday night.”

I’m looking forward to our little dinner party. Priscilla actually worked up the nerve to invite Dr. Brown, and Sam, naturally, is a regular every weekend. But since Dr. Brown is working through the holidays and Sam leaves for Arizona soon, our Christmas celebrations this year are starting early.

“What about you?” I lean against the counter, try not to think about the receipt for Nick’s gift sitting in my pocket. “Have you finished your shopping?”

He glances around the crowded store. “I need to find something for my niece. She turns thirteen on Christmas Day. I thought something sparkly might be appropriate, seeing as how I’m her favorite uncle.”

“Her favorite uncle? That’s a bit presumptuous, don’t you think?” I can’t resist teasing. “You’re giving yourself lots of credit, Uncle Sam.”

“Seeing I’m the only uncle she’s got, I’d say it’s not much of a contest.” His brown eyes sparkle with an invitation. “Help me find something she’d like.”

“I’m not good at picking out jewelry. You should ask Priscilla.”

“But she’s not here. Come on, Patty, I trust your judgment. You were thirteen, once upon a time.”

“That was a long time ago,” I protest, laughing.

He grins. “But you’re still a girl. I thought all girls liked things that sparkle.” He points to a glittering necklace. “How about that one? Do you think Gwynnie would like it?”

“Gwynnie? That’s your niece?”

Sam nods. “Her real name is Gwyneth, after our mom. The older Gwynnie gets, the more she looks like her.” His face sobers. “Mom would be so proud, if she were still alive.”

I know exactly how he feels. I still miss Mama. I chew my lip, study him carefully. Sam’s never opened up much about his family life, despite all the dinners we’ve shared. “How long has it been?”

“Fourteen years this June,” he says in a low voice. “I was a freshman in high school when she had her first stroke. It left her paralyzed. My dad wanted to put her in a nursing home, but Eileen wouldn’t hear of it. She’s an R.N., and insisted on taking care of Mom herself. Eileen did double duty four years straight, nursing Mom during the day, pulling the night shift at the hospital.”

“Your sister sounds like a wonderful woman.” More like a saint. Sam and his family must have gone through hell.

“Eileen’s great. We’ve always been close.”

“What about your dad? Will he be there at Christmas?”

“No.” Sam’s voice goes flat. He grips the counter, stares at the jewelry.

Did I say something wrong? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

He shrugs. “No problem. I don’t know where my dad is and frankly, I don’t care. Eileen and I haven’t talked to him in years.” The tight look on his face makes the back of my neck bristle. “He deserted us after Mom had her stroke. The last thing he wanted was an invalid for a wife.”

“I’m sorry, Sam.” I reach out and squeeze his hand. “That had to be so hard for you.” His face looks like it’s carved from stone, and my stomach feels like I swallowed a rock. No wonder he doesn’t like to talk about his background. Who would, with a father like that? Families stick together, especially in times of crisis.

“My dad paid the bills, but that was it. He found a girlfriend and moved in with her. Eileen and John were already engaged, but they put off their wedding plans and Eileen moved back home.” He sucks in a deep breath. “I helped out as much as I could, but I was only fourteen. Eileen took on most of the burden. Mom died two days after I graduated from high school. Eileen and John finally got married and I went off to college. I had a scholarship that helped and I worked my way through school. Dad offered to pay but I wasn’t going to take one penny of his money. Not after the way he treated Mom.”

He meets my stare with a bitter smile. “Maybe now you can understand why my dad is the last person I want showing up in my life on Christmas morning.”

The irony isn’t lost on me. Sam deliberately turned his back on his father while I’ve spent my whole life yearning for the one thing I’ve never had—the chance to know mine. I’d have given anything to have held his hand, had him read me a story, kiss me good-night.

“Eileen, John, and their three kids are the only family I’ve got. She’s quite the lady, my sister Eileen. You’ll like her, Patty. In fact, I think the two of you will be very good friends.”

His fingers tighten around my own and I suddenly realize we’re holding hands. When did that happen? My pulse quickens and I shiver at the tingle racing up my back. Something’s happened between us. Something I’m not sure of. Something I can’t put a name to.

Something that scares the hell out of me.

Sam’s eyes search mine and my heart pounds against my chest. If only I could let him know that he’s not alone, that someone cares… that I care. But I know Sam well enough now to know I don’t dare. He’ll take it all wrong, read more into it than I mean. The last thing I want to do is hurt Sam. Thanks to me, he’s been hurt enough. Friends don’t hurt friends.

But being friends isn’t what Sam wants. I know he wants more. He wants me. And he wants me to want him.

Why do life and love have to be so complicated? Things are so much simpler at school. No guessing games about how things work. Study hard, follow the rules and you earn an A… maybe an A+. This year, it might actually be within my reach.

Maybe as close as the other fifth-grade classroom.

I tug my hand out of Sam’s and turn my attention to the row of shimmering jewels displayed before us. “What are you thinking about getting for Gwynnie?”

“I don’t know.” His voice hangs low with disappointment. I know he’s upset that I’ve pulled away and I don’t dare meet his eyes. After a moment he points out a solitaire diamond pendant on a shimmering gold chain. “How about that?”

“That necklace costs three hundred dollars.”

“Who else have I got to spend it on?” He shoots me a fast look that tears at my heart. “You don’t think she’d like it?”

“Of course she would. Any woman would love it. It’s gorgeous.”

“Then what’s the problem?” he demands.

“It’s just that…” I stare at the necklace, searching for the right words. “It’s not exactly the kind of jewelry an uncle buys for his niece.”

His eyebrows lift. “Because…?”

“Because it’s… it’s what a man would buy for his girlfriend. Or his wife.”

I move away from the necklaces to another display case, where I spy a pair of diamond stud earrings in the very back row. Simple and elegant, less than one hundred dollars. The perfect gift from the perfect uncle. I point them out. “Does Gwynnie have pierced ears?”