Page 22 of Interpreter

I sigh. I’m not going to deter Gretchen from pursuing Tim. Whatever. She’s a nice person, and again, I’m leaving anyway.

I stand, ignoring that Gretchen has started scouring the employee directory again. “See you later,” I tell her with a pitiful wave.

“Wait!”

I knew she wasn’t finished.

“Are you guys eating in the lunchroom with the kids today?”

I hadn’t thought about it. We have a new system where teachers are assigned days to monitor the lunchroom for their hall. It was implemented so we could grade papers and work on lesson plans without having to take as much work home with us. So far, all the teachers like it. We’re able to sit with our class if we want. Sometimes I do when I’m all caught up, but today… with Tim… I’m thinking we should eat in the room.

“I doubt it. I think Tim might need more orientation.”

Gretchen’s eyes roam my whole face like she’s trying to sniff out a secret. When she’s satisfied, she asks, “Can I come and eat with you guys?”

Whatever. I shouldn’t have thought today would be a better day.

“Sure. See ya.”

The door to the classroom is already open by the time I get there. Cal is lurking in the hall with a hawk-like stare through my door.

“Did they see the mouse again?” I whisper to him, keeping my distance from the door. “Please don’t tell me it’s in my room. I don’t think I can handle any more surprises this morning.”

Cal’s gaze rips away from the door. “I didn’t realize you had a co-teacher.”

I feel my forehead wrinkle. “Oh, yeah. It just happened yesterday. Principal Moorehouse thought it would be a good idea.”

Cal’s mouth does this little screwy thing like he’s trying to force a smile or refrain from farting. It’s hard to tell. “Oh.”

“Yeah, I was pretty shocked myself.” I hope he isn’t going to fart. That would be really awkward. “Uh. So, yeah. I’ll see you later.” I walk closer to my room, relieved no rat or farts were involved this morning. Cal grunts out something that I can’t hear before I stroll in and see Tim sitting in my chair, his hair styled, his khakis ridiculously snug on his thighs.

“Good morning,” I say, not able to sign with the coffees in my hand.

Tim’s eyes widen just a little before he stands, clearing his throat. “Good morning, Milah.”

Oh, no. That is not good.

Tim saying my name is like a shot of warmth spreading through my stomach and up to my nipple. So not good….

“I brought you some coffee—” I start when he blurts out, “I’m sorry about yesterday.”

We both chuckle at the interruption.

“Go ahead,” I prompt.

I swear those big brown eyes sparkle as he takes the coffee from my hand and mutters, “Thank you.”

I nod. “I wasn’t sure if you drank coffee, but….”But I’m not as rude as you are.Ugh.You said you weren’t going to hold it against him, Milah.

“Yeah, I just…” He rotates the cup in his hand, fidgeting. “I haven’t worked around kids before. It was a shock.”

“That’s okay.” I smile, relieved that his irritation wasn’t from me but just from first day jitters. “First days are hard. I get it. I wasn’t at my best yesterday either. I had a long night, and then Principal Moorehouse and I haven’t had the best week, so him springing you on me like that was the last straw, you know?” I wave my hand back and forth. “I was also tired, and my friend says when I’m tired I act a little bitchy.” Felipe says I acta whole lotbitchy, but Tim doesn’t need to know that.

Tim takes a sip of his coffee and flashes me this subtle smile that shows just a little teeth. “I can imagine working two jobs is exhausting.”

Come again? “What? I don’t work two jobs. Where did you get that idea from?”

Tim takes another sip, totally at ease. “You don’t have to worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

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