Chapter 27 – Next Steps
Later that day, Woody managed to get out of bed, having popped two aspirin. He made it downstairs to find the house deserted, save for Bo sitting quietly in the den. Her feet were curled under her as she sat, engrossed in a book. Woody made his way into the room, and she looked up. "Hey." Her voice was sleepy, and he noticed she looked a little pained in her expression. "Are you feeling better?"
"A little." Woody nodded a little, not too much, for his head still hurt a bit. "Where's Buzz? Did he surface yet?"
"He was around last night, I saw him down here after we got back." Bo remembered. "I didn't see Jessie with him, though."
Woody grumbled something under his breath at this, settling down beside her, flicking on the television. He grimaced at the sudden noise, hitting the mute button almost instantly.
"Woody?" Bo's soft voice met his ears, and he turned his head slightly towards her. The pained expression had left her face, maybe she had been worried about him, he thought.
"Yeah?" Woody wondered what she was going to say.
"You were a bit of a mess last night. You would tell me if something was going on, wouldn't you?" Bo started, putting her book to one side, and sliding forward to perch on the edge of her seat, folding her hands primly in her lap. She looked down for a moment, like she was steeling herself for what came next. Woody waited, glancing back to the television screen for a moment, careful not to give himself away.
"I've burdened you with so many of my problems," Bo continued, "I don't want you to feel you can't burden me with yours. Is there something wrong?"
Woody glanced back over at his girlfriend, her eyes large and worried as she gazed upon him. He finally spoke. "No, Bo. Nothing's wrong. Everything's fine."
"But you were rambling on last night, just briefly, like something was happening."
"I don't really remember any of that." Woody feigned a iota of ignorance, since a lot of what had happened, particularly at the end of the evening, had escaped him. "What did I say?"
"Something about students…about the student becoming the teacher, I think." Bo said thoughtfully. "It didn't make much sense, you were pretty far gone with the whisky. I guess it must have loosened your tongue somewhat."
Woody smiled, scooting forward to take her hand in his. "I was going to wait, Bo, but I can't hold off any longer." He paused. "I was going to make sure Jessie and Buzz were there too, when I told you. They deserve to know as well. Which is why I was so annoyed they didn't turn up."
"What is it?" Bo asked, fearful it might be bad news. "Was it the exams?"
"No. It's nothing to do with the classes, or the exams." Woody reassured her. He took a moment. "Do you know my teacher, Mr Rodriguez?"
Bo shrugged a little. "I think I might have met him in passing, possibly. Why?"
"Well, here's the thing. He called me in about a week ago, to his office, and we had a chat. It turns out that I did quite well on the exams; he'd looked over the papers before he sent them to the marking board, and he liked what he saw. There's no official grade as yet, but it looks likely I'll pass."
"That's fabulous!" Bo beamed at him, her pale skin colouring with happiness. "So, was that what he wanted to see you about?"
"Not quite." Woody said, slowly. "He wanted to ask me if I'll assist him in teaching next year. He's getting older now, and his children are grown up, and heading out to get jobs or further their education. As it turns out, he and his wife have plans to move across state lines by the start of next year, once their children are settled with what they want to do, and when their house sale is finalised." Woody paused for breath. "He wants me to take over the first year class, and when he leaves, I'll be in charge of all the tutoring. He'll be there for the first few months to iron out any problems, and after that he's offered to be a phone call away, should I need any additional assistance."
"Woody!" Bo was astonished. "He wants you to teach first year History?"
"Yes, seems that way. Even though I have no teaching qualifications, he's assured me there will be time initially to enrol and get myself on a short course, with a view to maintaining my training alongside the work I'll need to set for the classes. A lot of it I can do as distance learning, apparently."
Bo couldn't speak for a few moments, but at last she squeezed his hand, still smiling broadly. "So…what did you tell him?"
"I told him I needed some time to think about it, to discuss it with my girlfriend." Woody said simply. "I wanted Buzz and Jessie's opinions too; I wanted to know what they thought."
"But what is it you want?" Bo asked, shifting in place. "Do you want the job?"
"You know what?" Woody met her gaze. "I think I do. I really think I do." He stopped for a moment, and then looked again at her. "Would you come with me when I go to accept the position, Bo?"
"Woody." Bo's smile felt permanently glued to her face. "Of course I will."
The next day Woody and Bo entered the old halls, where Woody had spent so many years as a History major, and Bo had flitted through the same corridors as an up and coming dancer. The building was fairly quiet, a few students lurked in the halls, clearing their lockers.
Woody had made an appointment to see Mr Rodriguez mid morning, and so when they arrived, they were a few minutes early. Bo went to sit on a chair next to the door of the office, but Woody held out his hand to her.
"Come in with me, Bo. I wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for you."
"Really?" Bo looked confused. "I don't know if I should be there."
"Nonsense, come on." Woody knocked on the door, and grabbed Bo's hand, pulling her up. He kissed her quickly on the lips, just before the door opened and Mr Rodriguez appeared. He was early 60's, clearly, Bo noticed now, with a receding hairline. He wore a faded grey suit, and sensible polished shoes.
"Woody, good to see you, do come in." He stood back to let Woody and Bo enter, and shut the door behind them.
Woody took one of the seats nearest to him, Bo settling gracefully into another next to him. Mr Rodriguez walked around the desk, sitting down just as the adjoining door opened and a woman of late 40's entered. Curly black hair framed her face, the ringlets springing around as she walked. Her attire consisted of flared black trousers paired with a white shirt, a long silver locket dangling. She carried a coffee mug, which she set down in front of Mr Rodriguez.
Bo blinked twice at the sight. "Miss Villiares?"
The lady looked across at Bo, hearing her name. "Bo?" Her face lit up. "How good to see you. How come you're here to see my husband?"
"Your husband?" Bo was nonplussed.
"Actually, it's Woody here that's here to see me," Mr Rodriguez said coolly. He turned to Woody. "I assume this is about the position I offered you last week?"
"It is, sir," Woody sat forward. "I've come to tell you I've considered it, and I'd be happy to take you up on your offer."
"Well!" Mr Rodriguez said a broad grin, reaching across the desk to shake hands with Woody, "That is excellent news. Welcome aboard!"
"Can I get you a coffee, at all?" Miss Villiares was hovering nearby, Bo noticed. She shook her head, her blonde hair bobbing.
"If you don't mind," Woody spoke, and Bo got to her feet.
"I'll help you with the coffee, Miss Villiares. Just while these two talk shop."
Bo was taking on so much new information these days, she felt her head might explode.
As it turned out, Miss Villiares was actually Mrs Sally Rodriguez, and had been for several years. She chattered away pleasantly, pleased to know Bo was improving in her health. She spoke about her stepsons, both of who were grownup, and were from Mr Rodriguez's first marriage. His first wife had died from complications during a surgical procedure, and he'd been left to manage the children whilst also holding down a teaching job.
Mr Rodriguez – or Sidney, as Miss Villiares referred to him – had been teaching at Lamar for several years before Miss Villiares attained her job within the Drama department. They'd met in the staffroom, and they had bonded over a love for coffee and Charles II. This of course had snowballed, and they were married just eighteen months later.
She'd helped him with the perils of two teenage boys, and they had settled into a comfortable life together. But now, with the children leaving, they wanted to make a new life elsewhere, something that was theirs. Sally was adamant that Sidney needed to retire, and rest, after such a huge undertaking to keep their family supported for many years. The move across state lines would be just the beginning.
"But then, what about your job?" Bo asked, leaning on the counter as Miss Villiares prepared coffee in a mug, and set some small cakes on a plate.
"I only organise and administrate for the first year drama students. They can manage without me until they find someone else. I've given them plenty of notice, so they shouldn't have too much of an issue." Sally smiled pleasantly. "Shall we go through?"
Bo nodded, deep in thought as she followed Miss Villiares as she took the coffee and cake through to the next room, where Sidney and Woody were having an elaborate discussion over scheduling. The realisation had occurred to her, almost like a map being laid out in great detail
Suddenly, she knew what she was going to do next.