Page 6 of Education with Dad's Best Friend
“Holy crap,” I mutter as I do a quick calculation in my head. John makes over a hundred thousand per year, so that means he pays his ex about two thousand per month. It makes little sense why Elsie’s mom has to work those side jobs.
“Do you know Fanny works at a nightclub?” I ask John.
“I don’t. Are you serious?”
“Elsie told me so.” I pause for a moment and tell him the rest. “And she also conducts a massaging business at home. A guy was knocking on the door when I was there the other night.”
“Shit.” He curses. “She must owe lots of money. The guy she ran away with had drug problems, and the bitch supported him with my money. I’m not surprised she’s in debt because of him.”
“How could you let Elsie say with this woman for so long? There must be a way to save her. Besides, she’s eighteen…” I shut up, realizing I’ve crossed the line. It isn’t my business, and John must have his reasons.
He sighs. “She’s eighteen but is still dependent on her. I don’t think she’s capable of getting a decent job. Even if she were, she would be staying with Fanny. Trust me. I wish Elsie could leave her mom as soon as possible. That’s one of the reasons I’m so eager to get her to college. I’ll be glad to pay for her educational and living expenses if she stays away from that insane woman.”
“Why can’t she move out of her mom’s house now? She can stay with you.”
John looks sheepish. “Well, I…err. I’m afraid it won’t work. Rebecca and the kids would welcome her, but it would be awkward.”
“I see,” I nod, understanding his predicament. John has three children with his current wife.
“When are you going to see her again?” John asks.
“This afternoon,” I say. “But I’m not going to her apartment. We’ll meet in my office. I told Elsie to call an Uber instead of taking a bus.”
“Oh,” John nods. “Sure. If you don’t mind, I’ll pay for the Uber.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say. “Would you like to see her and say hi?”
He hesitates. “Sure. Bring her over after you’re done with the lesson. I’ll be in my office until six.”
I don’t have any class in the afternoon. I grade some assignments and wait for Elsie to come up.
Having her meet me here in my office is my way to put my emotions under control and remain professional. I can’t let anything similar to my last blunder happen again.
After I left Elsie’s house the other night, I had very little sleep. Her innocent face filled my head whenever I closed my eyes, and my bed had never felt so empty before. I had my share of women in the past, but after I hit thirty, I reached the point of satiation and took a break.
For eight years, I neglected my physical needs and devoted my energy to work. I love teaching not only because I derive satisfaction in sharing my knowledge and inspiring others but also I know education is the means for the less privileged to elevate theirsocioeconomicstatus.
I’ve done a lot for the university in the past decade. I started summer programs that provided high school students the opportunity to explore the elite college, and I recruited bright kids from low-income families with scholarships. But what I have done isn’t enough. Our college’s stringent admission requirements put a substantial barrier to children who can’t afford extracurricular activities that look good on their college applications or test prep programs that boost their scores on college entrance exams.
Thus, it’s my goal to change the admissions system. If I became the dean of admissions, the first thing I did would be to revise the requirements and provide equal opportunities to kids. My colleagues think I’m insane because the position pays less than my salaries as a full-time tenured professor, but then again, money is not my concern.
A timid knock shuts down the rational side of my brain and turns on my animal instinct right away. Elsie is here.
My heartbeat quickens, and I take a deep breath before standing up and reaching the door handle.
I pull the door open with confidence and put on a collected look when I greet Elsie.
“Good afternoon,” I say, and then my breath hitches.
Elsie’s blue eyes capture me and transport me out of my office in an instant. I feel lightheaded as my confidence leaves me without a trace, and I’m entranced by her unworldly beauty. She isn’t wearing a nightgown, but what she wears messes me up with no effort. A light-blue cami dress that matches her eyes reaches the middle of her thighs—the material is sheer and I can make out the white polka dots on her pink underwear. Fuck me. Knowing she’s been seen like that by other men in school and on her way here sends my blood boiling.
“Hi, Albert,” she says timidly, unaware of my raging emotion.
I take a deep breath to collect myself. “Yes, Elsie, come on in, please.” I let her in and then leave the door ajar deliberately—another tactic to keep my lust in check.
“Are you coming from school?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I didn’t make it to school today.”
