Page 57 of Dare You to See Me
My jaw clenches with irritation. She wants King now that Malik won’t reply? Now that Wesley is gone and Malik won’t give her the time, she’s sliding into King’s inbox to get her rocks off. Well King isn’t going to be her third choice on a lonely night.
I slip my feet in the openings and pull my boxer briefs up. The shower was hot and along with today’s events, my blood pressure is through the roof. I need music and darkness to drown out the way I’m feeling right now, so I go to my office, flip on the blue lights, and turn the music up as loud as it can go without blowing the speakers.
The screen on my computer fires up and I log in. I have quite a few messages that I have been ignoring while spending all of my time talking with and thinking about Soleil. Maybe I need to give a little more attention to the women who want me for me and not because I’m the only one hanging around.
Before I get lost in King’s world, I respond to Soleil.
K: Hey. I’m actually pretty busy. Did you need something?
I open a message with a request from Crystal and give her a little more than she asked for. I’m feeling pent up and need to let it all out. After a few minutes, another message notification sounds.
SG: I was just hoping I could talk with you. I had a bad day and you always cheer me up.
K: Well I can’t be your cheerleader today. I hope your day turns around and you can be Sunny again.
I don’t wait to read her reply and throw myself into chatting with the others until my eyes turn heavy and I can’t keep them open a moment longer.
I managed to not check my inbox this morning to see if Soleil sent anymore messages last night after the way I blew her off. I was still so upset, but not so much at Soleil. Wesley had crawled his way under my skin and I felt as if he was doing every and anything to irritate me. Just like myself, I’m sure he had a sense that I was attracted to Soleil.
Parents are dropping off their kids, exchanging hugs and kisses and in one instance, convincing him that he does not have chickenpox and it’s just a mosquito bite. Gotta give that kid major props for trying to pull that one off.
One of the moms who just loves to talk incessantly steps up and just behind her I see Soleil. I take advantage of the talker mom and engage her in useless, and unnecessary, conversation.
“Mrs. Davis. Good morning.”
She primps and puffs her daughter’s dress before patting her butt and sending her into class. “Good morning, Mr. Dare.”
“I know it’s still a ways out, but you mentioned being interested in organizing the class Halloween party.”
This has her eyes lighting up and a smile that stretches from ear to ear. “Oh yes. I would love that. You know, I have a lot of fun ideas for games. I have an entire Pinterest board filled up with food and crafts and…”
I zone out while she talks, keeping eye contact but not really hearing everything she says. But in my peripheral I see Soleil hugging and kissing Dahlia goodbye. When Dahlia passes by me, she wraps her arms around my legs and I pat her back and smile big. She walks into class but still, I keep my eyes glued on Mrs. Davis.
Soleil shifts from foot to foot and knots her fingers.Mrs. Davis’ voice drones on and on until I see Soleil retreat and walk away. I listen for a couple more minutes then put an end to her spewing before I’m trapped for an entire day.
“That all sounds great. If you can get a list together and then in the next couple of weeks we can finalize it. Thanks so much.” I grip the doorknob and begin stepping into the classroom, pulling the door with me.
“O-okay. I’ll get that done right away. I’ll go ahead and email some of the parents that I know will want to help.” The rambling continued even as I began fading out of sight.
“Sounds great. You have a good day.” I give her a small, quick wave and shut the door.
I turn around to see all the kids busy on their morning warm-up, and we get the day started. It’s later that afternoon when I spot Dahlia working hard on something during brain break, that I go over and talk to her.
“Hey Dahlia. What are you concentrating so hard on?” I squat down beside her desk and watch as she colors a bouquet of flowers, her little pink tongue sticking out and her eyebrows scrunched.
“I’m makin’ my mommy some flowers. Her birthday is in two days and I want them to be perfect. Auntie Kyle is going to take me to buy her a gift afterschool, but she really loves it when I draw her pictures. She says I’m the best artist. What do you think, Mr. Dare?”
I feel a punch to my gut hearing her words. Soleil’s birthday is two days away and here I am punishing her for something that isn’t even her fault. Or a problem at all, really.
I take a deep breath and smile at Dahlia. “Those are beautiful. Your mom is going to love them. So is Auntie Kyle picking you up from school?”
Dahlia nods her head and says, “Yup. Mommy said she was going to tell you this mornin’ so that you didn’t think I was stealed by a stranger.”
I roll my lips and chuckle. “Stolen. And I wouldn’t think that. I know your aunt. You keep coloring and I’m going to email your mom real quick. Okay?”
With her eyes still glued to her picture she nods and says, “Okay.”
I take a quick look around to see that all the kids are immersed in their work, so I take a quick minute to send Soleil a text.
