“I don’t know, Cora. I’m not ready. I’ve told them both that I’m not ready. I don’t want to hurt them. What else should I say?” she asked. “It was only supposed to be a bit of fun.”
“Nothing. There’s nothing you can say.” They finished eating their lunch, and Stacey left to go and finish teaching her class.
The parents and their students left, one after the other. James moved close to her while Lucy and Ryan waited.
“I’ll be by tonight,” he said. “I’ve got to take care of some business.”
“If you don’t want to come by, you don’t have to,” she said, not wanting him to feel obliged to come.
“I want to see you.” He dropped a kiss to her lips. “Thank you for looking out for Ryan.”
“I’d have looked out for any kid. I don’t like it when they’re all outnumbered.”
“See you tonight.”
“I’ll shave my legs,” she said.
One week she’d forgotten to shave her legs, and they’d ended up in a heap laughing about her furry legs. James gave her a wink,
and she watched him go.
Grabbing a coffee for Sharon, she walked into the office. Her head was resting in her hands. Cora paused. It was the first time she’d seen Sharon look so broken.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Sharon jerked up and wiped under her eyes. “Cora, hello, what is it?”
“Nothing. I brought you a coffee. I figured you’d need it after that.”
“Thank you, and thank you for making sure those boys didn’t beat the shit out of Ryan.”
Cora was even more surprised. She couldn’t recall a day when Sharon actually swore. “No problem.”
“I hate dealing with parents. I love the kids, and I try to help them. This is so hard all the time.”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Cora placed the cup down, taking a seat in front of Sharon’s desk. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Sharon had lost weight in the last month, and Cora was worried about her friend. “How are things with you and Thomas?” Cora asked.
“I don’t know. It’s as good as it can be I suppose.”
Cora wanted to ask so many questions but kept her silence.
“Have you heard the rumors about him?” Sharon asked.
Glancing up at her boss, Cora nodded. “I’ve heard the rumors.”
“The whole town has heard the rumors. Misty likes to spread those rumors, doesn’t she?” Sharon said. She started wiping under her eyes. “Sorry, I shouldn’t be talking about this.”
“Are they true?” Cora asked.
“Are what true?”
“The rumors?” She looked up at Sharon to see the shock on her face. “I’m not going to pretend I’ve not heard the rumors, Sharon. I just wondered if they were true. Rumors, gossip, it’s not all the truth. Thomas loves you.”
“I know he does. It’s just hard, you know. He says they’re not true, and it’s all lies. I don’t know. Misty likes to call me, tell me exactly what he has done to her.” Sharon’s shoulders shook for a few seconds. Cora got off her chair, putting her arm around Sharon’s shoulders.