Page 18 of Capacity
“A two-hour interview? You sure those two hours were strictly for interviewing purposes?” Her tone was playful and it made me smile a little wider.
“Of course it was. It ran over because he’s easy to talk to.” I gave a nonchalant shrug and plucked at the soft minky blanket covering me.
“Uh huh, easy to talk to. He’s also gorgeous and has killer blue eyes.”
“He’s also my boss and totally not interested. Besides, even in a world where it was possible for me to date, I wouldn’t know up from down right now. I’m not in the right frame of mind to entertain a man.”
“Lumi, the last time you entertained a man it was Jacob and he’s a piece of shit so I think it’s time for you to step back out there.”
“Absolutely not. I’m not ready. I’m in no condition to date or have a relationship.” I shook my head vehemently against the phone as if I could mentally push away all the men in Connecticut.
“I’m not saying date your boss, Lumi but you should definitely get your feet wet.”
“No thanks.”
“Well, you went to The Pour People alone tonight, how’d that go? Any hot guys?” Clearly, she was going to ignore the fact that I wasn’t searching for a man.
Mr. Cunningham’s face popped into my mind when Coco asked about my time at the bar. Another slow-burn smile crept across my lips dropping sparks along the way, recreating the heat that passed through me when I shook his hand. What on earth was happening to me? Just thinking about a man made me smile and tingle. A man I didn’t even know.
“Just Mr. Cunningham,” I said, raising my shoulders up around my ears to brace for impact.
“What?” Coco blurted. “He was there again tonight?” Her voice raised an octave.
“Yeah, he was. We didn’t talk for long. I walked with him outside to get him out of the bar.”
“Right because he’s recovering,” she noted quietly.
“Exactly. I knew it wasn’t good for him to be in there. I hope he didn’t go back,” I sighed out loud as I stared at the flickering images on the TV. “Listen, I need to get some rest for my first day tomorrow,” I finally said after a few more conversations rose and fell between us.
“Okay, Lumi. Let me know how it goes tomorrow. I’ll come over and cook dinner for you while we unpack. Deal?”
“Deal.”
When we ended our conversation I laid in bed scrolling through Pinterest looking for decorating ideas for my new house until my eyes closed involuntarily.
…
Part Two: The Gray
CHAPTER 6
The closer we got to winter, the quicker the sun set. I sat in my office and watched the golden disc sink into the earth for a few moments before I called Ms. Foster in.
Having her at Lakeview High for the past month made going to work every day bearable. I’ve always loved my job but Ms. Foster brought the warmth I didn’t know I was missing. We’d started having lunch together after her second week because I noticed how withdrawn she was. She barely came out of her office unless one of the students needed her for something.
I started bringing her snacks at first then I asked her to have lunch with me in the teacher’s lounge. I wanted the rest of the staff to meet her. I wanted to see her blossom a little.
After hearing about her son I understood why her beautiful eyes held a shadowy ring of sadness. It also let me know that she wouldn’t come out of her shell on her own.
Sitting in the quiet school building after hours made me realize how close her office was to mine. As if without all the students clamoring around, I could sense the exact distance between Ms. Foster and me.
I picked up the phone and called her extension. She answered on the second ring. Her voice came through rich and sweet.
“Lakeview High School nurse’s office. This is Nurse Foster speaking.” I could listen to her talk for hours.
“Nurse Foster, can you come into my office please?” A smile hung on my lips because whenever I talked to her, I couldn’t help smiling like an idiot. I wasn’t looking for love, I wasn’t even looking for a quick fuck but I loved being around her regardless. She put me in touch with a side of myself I didn’t recognize anymore. This new side of me was happier and it wasn’t dripping with capriciousness.
“I’m wrapping up my reports for the day, I’ll be in there shortly, Principal Cunningham.”
