Page 29 of Halloween Hottie
ELIZABETH
Monday morning rolls around again, and I get up and go through my usual motions. I shower, get dressed for work, and head to the kitchen for coffee and a quick breakfast. I warm up some pre-cooked bacon, throw some bread in the toaster, and make a bacon sandwich. I sit at the island in the kitchen eating while I scroll through Facebook on my phone and listen to the morning news on TV.
When I finish, I clean up my mess, and make an iced coffee to go. Then I get in the car and drive over to the school. When I walk in, everyone is moving a little slower today due to it being a Monday, but we say good morning as we pass in the hallway. I make my way into my office. There is already a child sitting on the bed, waiting for me.
“Hi, honey. What are you doing in here already? School hasn’t even started yet.”
The little girl scratches her head. “My head is itchy, and Mrs. Baker told me to come in here and have you check it for something.” She shrugs.
“Okay, let me put my things away and get some gloves and we’ll see what we can do. Okay?”
She nods, and I go about putting my purse away and pulling on my coat. Then I pull a chair out and ask her to sit in it while I grab a comb and a magnifying glass. Her hair is tangled and ratty, but I manage to get it parted and start looking through for any reason that could cause her head to itch. I’m sure the chaperone was thinking that it could be lice, so she wanted her away from the other children—but upon examining her head, I discover no bugs. Instead, it’s just a bunch of dandruff, skin oils, and bits of dirt and debris.
“Honey, how long has it been since you washed your hair?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. I don’t like washing my hair.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t like water getting in my face and eyes.”
I squat down. “Will you let me wash your hair? I’ll be really careful not to get any water in your face and it will make your head stop itching.”
She takes a deep breath and looks down at the floor. “Okay,” she finally agrees.
I grab the small bottles of travel shampoo and conditioner and pull her chair over to the sink. The sink in my office isn’t the small kind that are usually in exam rooms; it’s a full-on kitchen sink with a spray hose. I give her a towel and tell her to hold it against her forehead so it will soak up any water that tries to run into her eyes. She does, and I begin wetting her hair.
I wash it twice before I can get it to lather. I condition it and then towel dry it and brush it out. Lastly, I blow dry it and pull it into a ponytail.
“Feel better?”
She smiles and nods. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Go on to class now, okay? Give this pass to your teacher.” I hand over the paper saying she was in here and isn’t tardy. She takes it and skips away.
I treat a few scraped knees, hand out Tylenol for headaches, give mints for tummy aches, and even pull an eraser out of a nose before the end of the day. Outside of the school is crazy with student pick-up, and I notice a man standing beside my car when I exit the school. As I get closer, I find that it isn’t just any man—it’s Jake.
I’m smiling as I close the distance and when he turns around, and I see the bouquet of flowers in his hand, I laugh. “What are you doing here?” I come to a stop directly in front of him.
When he sees me, he offers up a nervous smile. “I’m sorry I haven’t called,” he says, handing over the flowers.
I take them and bring them to my nose, inhaling their sweet scent.
“I’m an idiot. I should’ve called. I know it’s a little late, but will you go out with me tonight? We'll have a real date, go to dinner?”
I laugh. “Sure,” I agree.
His nervous smile turns to one of happiness. “Good,” he breathes out. “I’ll pick you up around seven?”
“Sounds good.” I nod.
“Okay, text me your address, and I’ll come get you.”
“I will. Don’t be late,” I tease.
“I won’t,” he says, backing away.
I climb into my car and set the flowers in the passenger seat. I’m smiling as I turn the ignition and shift into drive. When I make it home, I rush inside to put my flowers in a vase of water. I place them in the center of the island and step back, looking at them with excitement.
