Enter the Theater Sub – Chapter 25 – True Preparations

"Troy, pleeeeaasse?"

"No! No!"

"Oh come on! Pleeaasseee!" She stuck her lip out and pouted. "Please, Troy?"

Troy turned and dared to look up. He knew better. He knew he shouldn't do it, but she'd been quiet long enough for him to get curious. "Oh God, not the lip. Baby you know I hate it when you pout. It's not fair."

She smiled sweetly as she slipped one hand up his chest over his perfect pectoral muscles and along his shoulders. "I don't ask for things like this often, but a chocolate pizza sounds soooooo good. I know it sounds crazy, but at least it isn't pickles and ice cream."

Troy sighed, "Beautiful, you have chocolate and pizza in the refrigerator. Why do I need to go to the grocery store to get you a special one?"

Gabriella gave him a look of guilt. "I guess you don't. I'm just—it was that taste specifically that came to mind. You know what brand I'm talking about. It just—nevermind. You're right. I'll go fix myself some pizza and something chocolaty."

Troy rolled his eyes, got out of bed, and started putting his jeans back on.

Gabriella suddenly felt so bad. "I'm sorry. I know I'm asking a lot of you these days: save money, go buy me special pizza. It will pass, I swear."

Troy walked over to her side of the bed and helped her sit up. "Gabriella, there's nothing in the world that you could ask of me that you ever need to put yourself down to justify it. I love you. I'm tired tonight, sweetheart. I'm not mad at you or resentful of you asking me to go. I'm just tired. That's all. Don't put yourself down to justify what you are craving. It's pregnancy. There's a reason that ice cream and pickles are a cliché, because every woman has weird cravings when she's prego."

Gabriella laughed, "Prego?"

Troy grinned. "It's in there," he said quoting the spaghetti sauce's old advertisement.

Gabriella shook her head, "Corny, Mr. Bolton. Very, very corny."

Troy nodded slowly as he said, "But, you laughed."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Is that all that matters?"

Troy looked into her eyes, "Baby, seeing you smile…" He could feel the emotion flooding his eyes, "That's the fastest way to melt my heart. I know everything is going to fine when I see that smile light up your eyes."

Gabriella gave him a soft, loving smile. "No one says those kinds of things, Troy."

He kissed her softly, "I do. In fact, I just did."

Gabriella held him tightly for a moment. She didn't want him to see the tears sliding down her face. When he pulled back, he used his thumbs to wipe her tears away.

"I'll be home as fast as possible on one condition."

"What's that?"

Troy smiled again, "Let me sleep at least four hours before you wake me up for breakfast pizza, please?"

Gabriella laughed and stuck out her tongue.

Troy took a deep breath, "No, Carter, it isn't an old English way of saying that they're making love. It is an old English way of saying that he cares for her above all others. And, for the record, you haven't learned how to 'dis' someone, until you've read more Shakespeare. You want to talk about a guy who could call someone a name…"

"Yeah, right. Shakespeare was probably just another dork in the front seat of the classroom begging his English teacher for some attention."

Troy smiled, then easily recited, "All villains that do stand by thee are pure."

Carter scrunched up his nose and grimaced, "Whatever, dude."

The dork at the front of the classroom starting laughing, "He basically just called you evil. You know, worse than Hitler kind of evil, dude." He kept laughing as the bell rang and he got up to walk out of the classroom with his backpack.

The jock stood to go after the kid, but found Troy standing in front of him, "Be careful, Mr. Jackson. I'd hate to think you might be feeling the need to cause some kind of violence. I've been speaking with Coach Domhoff. He says that violence inside the school or any kind of bullying by someone on his soccer team is grounds for dismissal. I know how you love soccer."

Carter narrowed his eyes, but said nothing. He grabbed his bag and used his non-verbal communication to make his infuriation known. When he finally started for his next class, the kids in the hallway parted like the Red Sea for him as he bulled his way down the middle of the aisle. However, Troy smiled as he walked right passed the young man who'd embarrassed him in class. Troy ducked into Gabriella's room. "Hey, baby."

Gabriella smiled, "Hey."

Troy slipped his arm around her as she started to ease up from her chair. That desk chair had become the single most difficult piece of furniture for her to manage since she'd really started showing with the pregnancy. "So, doctor's appointment this afternoon, right?"

Gabriella nodded, "Ultrasound. They hope to be able to tell us what gender it will be."

Troy let out a steady breath.

Gabriella looked over at him, "Everything okay?"

Now that she was standing on her own, he stepped away a step or so. He leaned back against the bookshelves in her room and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "It just all seems so real. I mean once we know the gender, we know the name. It's a real person, you know?"

Gabriella smiled, "You're asking the wrong person the 'real' question. I think that's one you need to take up with Chad, because, Troy, this baby has been real to me ever since I had to give up breakfast."

Troy nodded, "Right, stupid guy realization. Got it."

Gabriella shook her head, "Not stupid, just not something I know how to relate to, honey."

Troy kissed her forehead. "Sorry."

Gabriella smiled and put her arms up over his shoulders. "No need to apologize, but that does tell me how nervous you are. You don't have to go today if you're too nervous."

Troy shook his head, "No, I'm going. This child is my responsibility too. I won't leave you alone with any decision."

Gabriella smiled, "Shh. It's okay, Troy. We're gonna be fine. It's alright."

He leaned his forehead against hers. "Thank you for that."

Gabriella nodded gently. "So, you have prep next, right?"

Troy smiled, "You know I do. Why?"

Gabriella chuckled, "Go check in with Taylor, will you? She's been somewhat absent minded as of late. I'm concerned, but I've got so much going on with appointments and grading today, I can't get free."

Troy rolled his eyes, "She's your best friend, honey."

Gabriella raised an eyebrow. "Well yes, she is. But, you wouldn't want me to worry, now would you?"

Troy closed his eyes and nodded, "Playing the worry card? I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

Gabriella chuckled and walked a few steps away as she collected up a stack of papers turned in by the last class. "Seriously, I think she mentioned something about wanting to talk with you when she stopped in to check on me this morning."

Troy rubbed the back of his neck and let out a sad sounding sigh of breath. "Probably wants to officially tell me that they've given the job to someone else. But, yeah, I'll stop in."

Gabriella brushed her hand gently down the length of his well-muscled arm. "You don't know what this concerns. It will be alright no matter what news she has for you. I love you no matter what, and our baby will too."

Troy rubbed his hand along her stomach for a moment. "You really have a way of easing a man's fears, you know that?"

Gabriella smiled softly.

Troy wrapped her in his arms and pulled her to him. "I love you so much."

She kissed his nose. "I love you too."

Just as his lips were about to close over hers, the fire alarm rang out loud and true. Troy's head dropped to her shoulder, "Didn't we tell Zeke to stop giving math quizzes?"

Gabriella laughed loudly. "This could be the real thing, you know?"

Troy rolled his eyes as he escorted her from the room and began ushering teenagers out the side door to the parking lot adjacent to the building.

Taylor rolled her eyes as she walked up to a very pregnant looking Gabriella. "My God, girl, you look like you're 8 months along. How many kids did you say you were having?"

Gabriella glared at her best friend. "Very supportive of you, and how is your day going Mrs. Danforth?"

Taylor grumbled something just below an auditory level.

Gabriella chuckled and smiled at her. "That well, I see."

Taylor rolled her eyes for a second time. "Have you seen the father of your child?"

Gabriella nodded over toward a few boys who'd taken upon themselves to light up a cigarette in the parking lot while the fire alarm continued blaring.

Taylor sighed heavily. "Yes, well, I'll just go help him with that situation." Just before she completed the first step she spun on her heel. "You, however, are to stay clear of anything that could possibly taint my sweet Godchild." With the completion of her statement she spun again and confidently approached Troy's intensifying discussion.

Gabriella just shook her head as she watched her best friend and boyfriend handle three defiant teenagers.

Once the building was back in working fashion, Taylor pointed at Troy and motioned for him to follow her into her office.

Troy did as instructed. He had secretly thanked whoever had pulled the fire alarm. It had created the distraction that succeeded in taking his mind off of his impending doom. Now, however, he felt the dread returning and even increasing in intensity with every step he took. He knew that this would be the sad conversation that he'd have to have with Gabriella tonight.

Taylor put her notebook down and leaned against her desk for a moment as Troy came in and got situated in the chair in front of her desk. Finally she took a breath, "I know that you've been working with Chad on the team for a number of years now—"

Troy groaned, "Don't sugar coat this, Taylor. Just come out and say it. I'm out of a job."

Taylor looked at him confused. "What?"

Her tone of voice was something Troy had been more accustomed to in college. It hadn't really been a tone he'd heard her take on recently. "Look Darbus and Dumblydorn came to see me a few weeks ago. They just wanted to be sure I'd stay out the school year. I know they've found someone to replace her permanently."

Taylor smiled and leaned back in her chair, "Oh really. And you think this person is who exactly?"

Troy ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He got up and walked to wall of her office and stood with his back to her. "It doesn't matter. The point is I won't be coming back in fall."

Taylor grinned behind his back. He obviously had no idea whatsoever what had been going on in the offices while he taught, directed, and coached. And apparently, her good husband had managed to keep his mouth shut for once. "Well, I guess that's it then, isn't it?"

Troy whipped around to face her. "What? Are you kidding me? That's how you're going to do this! I've coached in this school for four years! I've been at your beck and call to teach every damn day for years! I've bent over backwards accommodating this school's every need!"

Taylor busted out laughing, "Are you done yet?"

Troy was so angry he could burst. "Why are you laughing? Do you know how hard it's going to be for me to—"

Taylor rolled her eyes and stood up. She leaned on her desk authoritatively, "Now, you listen to me, Bolton! Another outburst like that and I'll have to reconsider your eligibility for this full-time English teaching, drama club sponsoring, basketball coaching position I've spent the last four months putting together for you!"

Troy stopped. His brain couldn't translate. All he knew was that the words coming out of Taylor's mouth didn't match the ones his brain had been expecting. He stood stunned for a moment. "Uh?"

Taylor rolled her eyes, "I know you've always been a jock and therefore a little denser than the rest of us, but Troy did you really think I wasn't going to do everything I could to help you take care of my best friend whom YOU knocked up?"

Troy blushed, "I didn't knock—Okay, well, it—I really am going to marry her. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. It's just that life went to hell in a hand basket and everything got so—so—wonky. Oh God! Wait? Did you just say you have a position for me?"

Taylor laughed, "Yes. Very good, Bolton. Now, what else did I say?"

Troy glared at her, "You're being a bitch."

"You're flirting with the line that has the sign, 'Point of no return' by it."

Troy smiled, "They want me?"

Mrs. Darbus's laugh sounded out loudly in the main office. It was clear she was moving toward Taylor's small office. Finally the door flew open as though it had been brushed with magic. "Oh, hello, my darlings!" Mrs. Darbus and Professor Dumblydorn entered. They were the epitome of contrast. She was loud and dramatic, while he stood quiet and hardly noticeable in the shadows. Yet, they made quite the companionable pair.

Troy stood up a bit straighter. "Mrs. Darbus, Professor."

Taylor shook the good Professor's hand. "He knows Mrs. Darbus. You can come out with it all now."

Mrs. Darbus smiled conspiratorially, "I'm so thrilled you've accepted the position!"

Troy cleared his throat, "Well actually I haven't."

Mrs. Darbus stopped mid-motion, "What!" Her screech was most likely heard clear across the school.

With wide eyes, Troy stuttered, "I—I'm s-sorry?"

Mrs. Darbus turned and glared at Dumblydorn. "What did you do? Did you say something to him?"

Dumblydorn chuckled and helped her to a chair, "Calm yourself, dear. I'll handle this."

She glared at him, but sat down none the less.

"My dear boy, I do hope you intend to accept the position. After all, I happen to know that several well-intentioned, if somewhat overly zealous, but brilliant women have gone to quite some trouble to ensure that it would be yours."

Troy stood silent in front of the old man. It dawned on him that he'd never actually heard the older man speak more than a few words at a time. "Well, uh…"

Dumblydorn smiled, "Oh, I see. Yes, well, it is of some importance that we discuss the means by which you'll be compensated for your time away from your budding family."

Troy felt his cheeks flush. He suddenly felt selfish and tad foolish for doubting Taylor.

"Allow me." The older man brushed his beard aside and whipped out a long wooden pencil. He jotted down a number on a small piece of paper that seemed to have appeared out of thin air. "Yes, I do hope this will be acceptable, though I do understand you'll be doing so many different jobs for us should you take the position being offered to you."

Troy's eyes widened. He swallowed hard. For a moment he simply stared. "Yeah, uh, yes. That is well within reason, Professor. I'd be happy to accept the position."

The older man smiled. "Good, good. " He turned to the two ladies, "Well, I believe our work is done here. Shall we, my dear? I understand Mrs. Landus has prepared my favorite beets in the cafeteria."

The two older people meandered out into the hallway as though nothing important had transpired.

Troy and Taylor stood silently as they watched them go. Finally, Taylor spoke, "Wow. I want to be that good when I'm his age."

Troy laughed, "Well I can easily see Chad being that loud. So, you have a strong chance." They both cracked up laughing.