Page 7 of Dare You to See Me
“It’s okay.” I rise to my full height having squatted down to meet my new student, and I watch as the woman’s eyes follow. “Malik Dare. Nice to meet you.”
This time I do hold out my hand and she slips her very dainty one in mine. “Hi. Soleil Brooks. Nice to meet you Mr. Dare.”
Her skin is as soft as it looks and it takes every last ounce of willpower to not yank her into my arms and find out if it’s the same over her entire body.
“Very nice to meet you.” She nods her head with a shy smile and we stare at each other for a moment too long.
“Hey!” Dahlia interrupts. “That’s my name.” She points at a chair that has her name hanging from the back of it with excitement.
Reality hits me with full force and I remember that there are more than a dozen parents standing around, watching this interaction.
“Mrs. Brooks, if you’d like to find a place, I’ll go over what you can expect this year.” Soleil bites her lips and directs Dahlia to her seat, and I watch every step she takes.
Soleil is dressed very demurely in a black floral dress and flat sandals. Buttons line the front of the dress from the neckline that gives the smallest peek of the tops of her breasts, to the hem that ends just below her knees. The sleeves of her dress do this little flutter thing as she walks and she looks just like an angel. I give my head a little shake and walk to the front of the classroom where I project a slideshow on my whiteboard.
While the kids are personalizing their coloring pages, I discuss the planned curriculum and what to expect from me. I try to move my attention around the room, but my gaze keeps landing on Soleil and her beautiful smile. I take a few questions from parents –legitimate ones about school– and then one from a parent who I already dislike.
“So you own Dare Inc.,?” I nod, already knowing I won’t like what the rest of his statement is. “Then why are you teaching if you’re rich? I wouldn’t lift a finger if I had as much money as you, much less teach a bunch of ankle biters.”
I let my smile harden, my jaw clicking with tension, and use my bestkindly don’t fuck with mevoice. “Well Mr…?”
“Mr. Lindsey.”
“Well Mr. Lindsey, some people don’t do things simply for the money. My brothers and I were fortunate enough to create a product that ensures the safety of people, but that doesn’t mean my passion for teaching children and helping them become better people has dwindled. If anything, I want it more. To be able to show your kids that anything is possible, is worth more than money.”
I watch the man visibly cower and notice Soleil trap her smile between her teeth. Her hand comes up to cover her mouth, possibly to muffle a laugh, and her shyness only makes her more appealing.
“If there aren’t any questions for me regarding your child, I’ll give you all a few minutes to say goodbye and then the kids and I will start our day.” I end my presentation there and go take a post by the door to see everyone off.
The parents thank me and wish me luck as they shake my hand. Mr. Lindsey gives me a shaky smile and scurries off in a hurry. I turn back to my class to see them busy at work except for one. Dahlia hugs her mom, her arms wrapped tightly around her neck, and Soleil rubs her back. I decide to help her out and approach them cautiously.
“Dahlia, would you like to help collect the drawings from everyone?” I figure giving her a task to do will make her feel more at ease.
She lets go of her mom and I notice it isn’t Dahlia crying, but Soleil. She sniffs and wipes away a small tear.
“You’re gonna be okay Mommy. Don’t cry. If you go to work the day will be over lickety split. Just like you tell me. Okay?” Dahlia places her hands on her mom’s cheeks and speaks to her like she’s the mother.
“Okay my little dove. Have a good day, and I’ll be right here to pick you up when the school day is over.” Soleil kisses her thumb and Dahlia does the same, then they touch the tips of them together and do this little hand thing.
Soleil kisses her forehead and stands. Dahlia turns her attention to finish her drawing and I walk Soleil to the door.
“She’ll be fine,” I tell her. “And so will you. Those papers have the number to my class, so feel free to call later if you need to check in.”
Soleil wipes away one more tear and smiles. “I know she’ll be fine. She’s been so excited to start school. It’s me that doesn’t feel the same.”
“I can tell,” I say and give her a short rub on her arm.
“She’s my shadow and now that I’m working from home, it will be extra quiet without her there. Oh gosh. I’m sorry. You don’t care about any of that.”
“No apologies necessary. I’m happy to be here if you need.” She exhales deeply and smiles. “You try to have a good day and just like Dahlia said, the day will be over lickety split.”
She chuckles and adjusts her purse from where it hangs on her shoulder. “Thank you Mr. Dare. Happy first day of school.”
“Malik. Just call me Malik.” I don’t know what compels me to tell her this as I’ve never told a parent to call me anything but Mr. Dare.
Maybe it’s her vulnerable moment that has me wanting to comfort her. Or maybe it’s the fact that I want to hear the way my name rolls off her tongue. Either way, the feeling I have is one that I’m going to be fighting off all school year.
It’s going to be one helluva long year.
