Page 51 of Home in the Country
“Well, honey, let’s open it and find out.” Annette’s hair doesn’t move at all as she nods vigorously at the mountain in front of us.
Grabbing the scissors from my desk, I carefully open the first box and gasp.
A stuffed frog sits just under the packing material and order receipt.
You made biology fun back then – I bet you still do now. Hope some of this stuff helps you feel more settled in your classroom. You’re doing great.
-Otto
Annette whistles beside me, clearly reading over my shoulder. I’m too stunned to be mad.
“That man has it bad for you.”
“Oh no, he’s just being neighborly.”
She smirks before walking toward the door. “Uh-huh, and I’m the queen of England.”
I don’t acknowledge her remark as I open the next one.
Box after box is filled with items from my wish list. The other teachers had encouraged me to make one for the school’s website, saying that parents and people in the community were known to purchase things over the course of the year.
Not all in one shot.
Pulling out my phone, I dial the number that’s mocked me every day since our disastrous talk in the field.
“Hey Fallon, what’s up?”
“You bought, like, everything on my wishlist.”
“My brothers and I all pitched in—wanted to make sure you had what you needed to start the school year.”
“It’s too much.”
“Nah, it’s for the kids. They’re gonna love it.”
A million thoughts race through my mind.
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Then just say thank you and get excited for the kids.”
“Yes, thank you, but, Otto, this is so much.”
“Can’t a guy just do something nice for a girl?”
I can’t help but laugh at the implication, as ifI’mthe ridiculous one. “Otto, buying a girl a coffee is doing something nice. There’s several hundred dollars’ worth of stuff here.”
“So it’s a really big coffee. You’re splittin’ hairs, darlin’.”
The term makes me cringe, but it’s ameproblem not ahimproblem. I have a nickname, and heaven help me, I want him to call meprincess.
“Otto,” I whisper, and it’s so close to a whine he chuckles.
“Just say thank you.”
“Thank you.”
“I gotta get back to work…” His voice trails off and I so badly want to tell him to ask me out.
