Page 11 of Lost In London

Pushing up her black cat-eye eyeglasses, Natalie shook her head. “No ma’am. All you want to do is meet up with your boyfriend. I already know what time you’re on.”

For the last three years, Natalie Gordon has been my teacher's assistant. She was in the last semester of her master's degree program. Though she didn’t need it to teach, she preferred to shadow me until she graduated. I used to think it had a lot to do with her being fearful of the students. She was beyond smart but felt the kids wouldn’t respect her because of her size. Between my sixth through eighth-grade classes, all of my students towered over her. She barely stood five feet.

Not only was she small in height but she was also petite. I lost count of how many times she’s been mistaken for one of my students. Then on top of that, she’s soft-spoken, never raised her voice or asserted authoritativeness for the role she played. An adult first and their teacher second. These kids gave her a run for her money every day. Kids these days are rude as hell often forgetting that they are the child and we’re the adults. I don’t know how many times I had to physically remove a child from my classroom because they thought they could bully me like they do their parents.

Hell no.

These kids weren’t about to stress nor disrespect me when they couldn’t wash their assess and come to my class without smelling musty five days consecutively.

“Knock. Knock.” Assistant Principal Pamela Richardson poked her head in my classroom.

“Oh, Lord.” Both Natalie and Kamora groaned, rolling their eyes.

Mrs. Richardson was probably the most disliked person at Parkway Middle School. I don’t think I’ve met a student, faculty member, or parent that had anything nice to say about the woman. She was very condescending, rude, and thought too highly of herself.

“AP Richardson, what can I do for you?” I stood blocking Natalie and Kamora rolling their eyes.

Giggling like I said something funny, she came twisting her round hips my way in her too tight clothes. This woman turned fifty-five last week and still wore clothes like she shopped in the junior section of a department store. “I just wanted to come by and say congratulations on winning teacher of the year for the fourth year in a row. Not many can brag about that accomplishment. I’d also like to think it was my final vote that got you the win.”

“Whew, she tried it.” Kamora tried to whisper.

Yeah, she definitely did try it.

If anyone knew how the voting process went, it was me since I sat on the committee as well as having a chair on the school board for district three. While the teachers and admin staff had a vote it had nothing to do with the overall county vote.

“Thank you. I appreciate all the support.” Behind her, several of my students were snickering. It was sad when all the student body knew she was a married woman who openly flirted with any male. I wouldn’t be surprised if she flirted with some of the eighth-grade boys too.

Giving Natalie and Kamora a fake smile, she turned back to me. “No problem at all. I’d like to continue showing my appreciation over a nice brandy after work.” She licked her lips running a hand up and down my arm, slightly squeezing my muscles.

“Sis is bold.”

“That ain’t right, Ms. Gordon. Don’t her husband work at Boyd Anderson?”

Looking down at her hand, I took a step back freeing myself of her. She quickly snatched her hand back remembering that I despised being touched. “That won’t be necessary. I’m not interested in sharing my spaces with my colleagues after hours, but if your husband wants to watch the Miami and FSU game this weekend, tell him to call me.” I’ve never sugarcoated my disinterest in hanging out with my coworkers outside of work. The only person who has ever been in the same space as me outside of these school’s walls was Natalie. I trusted her because I knew her brothers.

Rubbing a hand down her throat, she laughed like my name was Cedric The Entertainer. “Was that supposed to be her sexy laugh cause she sounded like my aunt’s wounded cat Spice after he got hit by a car.” Kamora and her damn mouth.

“Oh, Quincey. You are so funny. Always the jokester who can effortlessly make me laugh.” She batted her eyes. “Not every man has the gift to make me laugh but you do, so that makes you special. Anyway, if you change your mind let me know and I’ll show you a good time.” Once she closed the door behind her, I turned around and grilled Natalie and Kamora.

“The concept of whispering is not a forte neither of you possesses.”

“I wasn’t trying to whisper, Mr. Reid. That was Ms. Gordon.” Kamora mumbled, skipping off to join her friends.

“See that right there is the reason why you keep hiding behind me. Kamora nor any of these kids are your friends. They’re children that think because their parents let them cuss and sit in on conversations they shouldn’t be privy to they can talk to adults any kind of way.” I started closing up all the empty pizza boxes and tossing the empty soda bottles in the trash.

“I know and I’m sorry.” I had high hopes for Natalie. I really did. She’d be an amazing teacher if she believed in herself as much as everyone else did.

“Aye, if y’all want to leave ten minutes before the bell rings then this classroom needs to be cleaned up!” I yelled over the noise. Leading the pack of eager teens ready to leave, Kamora and the rest of my students started cleaning up. While they cleaned, Natalie and I packed up our stuff so we could be walking out the door right behind them. I refused to be cornered by another teacher.

“Bye, Mr. Reid and Ms. Gordon!” Kamora yelled running out the door.

“Congratulations again, Mr. Reid. See you tomorrow!” Another student yelled following behind her.

“Have a good night.”

“You too, Nat.”

Usually, I stayed around after school let out but today wasn’t one of those days. I was tired for one, and my brother Quest was in town and we were meeting up for an early dinner. I haven’t seen him in over a year with him living in Japan thanks to being in the Marines. He and I were meeting at Smitty’s over on sixth street. All I wanted to do was see my brother and then take my Black ass home. We had less than three months left in the school year and I was ready for my summer break.

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