Page 10 of Christmas Rings

Was he simply acting humbly, or did he believe that to be true? She knew a little bit about not feeling good enough or as smart as the people around her.

“How about you? Where did you go?” he asked.

“I graduated from Western Washington. They have a good teaching program.”

“Is that what you always wanted to do?”

She nodded, remembering when the idea had first come to her. It had been the year after her parents’ death and her teacher, Mrs. Calder, had been so kind and nurturing to her, letting her stay after school to help prepare art and science materials. Mrs. Calder was young and pretty. Alissa had admired her so much.One day, she’d thought,I want to be a teacher. She’d decided later she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. Children were little and fragile at that age. With Alissa’s quiet personality, she knew younger children would be the best fit for her. “It’s pretty much what I always planned.”

“What made you sad just now?” He poked the tip of her shoes with his.

She looked at him over her drink, surprised. “Did I look sad?”

“The eyes always give a person away.”

“My parents died when I was ten. The year after that I decided I wanted to be a teacher. Those two thoughts go together, which is why I looked sad.” The vodka was going to her head and making her lips loose. She never told strangers this much information.

“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”

“I miss them every day. Still, even after all these years.”

“What happened?’ he asked. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me.”

“No, it’s okay. I can talk about them. I like to, actually. I mean, not the way they died, but just that they were here with me for my first ten years of life. I loved them very much. Just because they’re gone doesn’t mean they’re not my parents still. Does that make sense?” Too much of an explanation. Jed Marsh and his sympathetic eyes were upending her.

“Yes, absolutely it does.”

“They died in a car accident. I was with them, but I wasn’t hurt. I always think about that—I came out of there without a scratch. It’s made me both apologetic and extremely interested in making the most of my life by giving to others.”

“Where did you go after they died?” He leaned closer, as if he wanted to touch her.

She wished he would. “I was adopted by a wonderful woman. Maddie took me and three other girls into her home and her heart. Just like that I was part of a big family.”

“That sounds nice.” He loosened his tie. “I’m an only child.”

“I would’ve been, I guess, had my parents not died. We’re all super close. A bunch of stray cats all thrown together. My sisters are super special. Accomplished and successful. They’d never have to work two jobs. I’m the dummy of the group.”

“Working two jobs doesn’t mean you’re not accomplished. School teachers should be paid more.”

“You’re sweet to say so,” she said.

He didn’t say anything, just stared at her, as if he couldn’t decide if she was for real or not.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re unusual, that’s all.”

“Unusual good?”

“Very good.” He further loosened his tie. “What’re you doing at that club?” he asked. “For real.”

She explained about her student loans and then Sophie’s accident. “I make more during my weekend shifts than I make in a week teaching.”

“That isn’t right.”

She smiled at him, hoping to coax the frown from his face. “It’s not—but who said anything about right or fair? I get paid to run around in my skivvies and bring drinks to guys like your client. Men still run the world, Jed Marsh.”

“Men like my father.”

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