To Mr Moseby, she had always been Miss Tutweiller. Even after seeing her in that showgirl outfit, an image firmly imprinted in his memory, they still weren't on a first name basis. He had invented a pet name for her, 'Miss T,' but that had been less than a success. And, he had, once, actually called her 'Emma'. That was during their time spent as castaways. It was their argument on that dingy life boat, a product of equal parts frustration and fear, that had resulted in the end of everything. Emma Tutweiller had handed in her two weeks' notice.
Her resignation had come as a complete shock to Mr Moseby. He had no idea how significant of an impact his spare of the moment, snide comment had made. He tried to reassure himself that he could not have know that he she would take his words to heart.
'I'm never going to get married. I'm never going to have children.'
'Please. You're in your mid 30s, not dating. Wasn't going to happen anyway.'
Mr Moseby regretted that brash retort more than anything. If he had simply offered the comforting clichés and told her not to worry, none of this would be happening. Instead, he had become caught up in the thrill of bickering with the easily distressed teacher. It was one of his favourite pastimes, and he was now highly skilled at starting an argument at the drop of a hat. Mr Moseby was aware that he was behaving like a schoolboy, pulling the pigtails of the girl he liked in a bid to get her attention, but it was such a juicy pleasure that he lost all sense of self control. Now, his addiction had destroyed him.
Leaning against the juice bar, he observed Miss Tutweiller as she paced across the deck. Her eyes were red and her cheeks flushed. Mr Moseby knew why. She had just finished informing her World Geography class that she was leaving, giving up teaching on the high seas, something she loved more than anything else. He was sure he was the only person who understood the real reason behind her sudden departure.
Since the lifeboat incident she had been bitter towards him, with her stern disposition a far cry from the bright, bubbly smile she used to wear as they discussed the day's events over juice, playfully arguing over who had the worst encounter with the mischievous delinquents Zack and Cody Martin. These exchanges had been the only thing getting him through the day, and so when they came to an immediate halt, he knew that something was very wrong. But even in his worst nightmares he had never fathomed that Miss Tutweiller would actually leave.
'I can't be stuck on this boat anymore. Nothing out here is real. There are things- things I need to get sorted out, and if I don't get out now, I'll never get another chance. I have to get back to reality.'
That was the only explanation she offered him. There were no sentiments offered between them and, above all, she was cold. He could not reach her, he could not touch her, and he could not tell her how much he needed her to stay.