Monday morning came to soon as far as Emma was concerned. She always
felt the weekends were too short and that she had done nothing. But this
weekend had caused her restless nights and she refused to believe they had
anything to do with her run in with Holly's father. Of course she was
tired from an exhausting week at school and Christmas break was right
around the corner, and she hadn't even begun her shopping. That was why
she wasn't sleeping, no other reasons...she kept telling herself.
She arrived at school early, she liked the time in the classroom with no children and she could easily prepare the days lessons, Rachel was usually late but today she found Rachel at the door of her classroom bright eyed and bushy tailed.
"What are you doing here at this hour?"
"I have been thinking about you all weekend and how we can get you together with Stan the computer man."
Emma continued with sorting through some books, "Give it a rest, Rachel."
Rachel stared at her, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, why?"
"You look like you haven't slept."
"And that is bad...I look bad is what you are saying."
"No...just that you haven't slept."
"Well, I haven't."
Rachel smiled, "Really, tell me all about it."
"Nothing to tell, last week was not my best, and I haven't even begun to Xmas shop. Gary wants the kids for Christmas and I really hate being alone at Christmas."
"And that's all that is on your mind?"
"Isn't that enough?"
"You haven't even thought about Holly's dad?"
"No, I have not. You know Rachel, I have so much to do before the bell rings, can we talk at lunch?"
"Okay, I will go, but you can't avoid this subject."
"Whatever." She watched Rachel leave and was glad to have the peace and quiet once again...she could hear faint sounds of children outside...but she still had a good 15 minutes before the starting bell rang.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Rachel walked out of the classroom, she headed towards the front office and was surprised to see Holly and her Dad. Holly usually took the bus, he gave her a hug and kiss and she ran off to the playground while he headed towards her. She couldn't let this opportunity go and stopped him. "Mr. Jobson, it's nice to see you again."
"Ah, Ms...." he couldn't remember her name and felt a bit embarrassed.
"Jacobs. It's okay. I didn't expect you to remember me." She noticed him looking around the different room numbers, "It's room 19. That's Holly's room, I assume you want to talk to Emma."
"Emma?"
"Sorry, Ms. Heyward. She's there, but I will warn you, she hasn't had much sleep and I suggest you tread lightly, and try not to rile her up again."
"I actually came to apologize."
Rachel smiled at him, "Well, that is something most men don't do. I commend you highly for making the effort, not that she will forgive you. She has thought of nothing else but that scene at the fair and I am sure it is the reason she has not been sleeping."
Stanley was surprised. "Somehow I find that hard to believe, Ms. Jacob."
"Well, you can make your own assumptions. Good luck." Rachel walked away and smiled, she had set the ball rolling and Emma would be none the wiser for it.
Stanley decided not to let that remark get to him, she was an odd one that Ms. Jacobs. He hadn't really liked the way she checked him out the other day, it made him very uncomfortable, especially coming from a teacher of all people. He had never cared for flirts and women who made it quite clear what they wanted from a man, of course Melissa had been like that, but he had been a lot younger then and look where that had lead him, a shot gun wedding by her father in Austin, and a baby 7 months later. He shook the thought out of his mind, she was the last person he wanted to think about at this moment. He headed towards room 19 and the door was open. He stood in the doorway and looked in. Emma's back was to him as she wrote on the white board. He raised his eyebrows at the sight of her in a short skirt. She definitley had a fine pair of legs. Another thought he had to shake out of his mind, he was here to talk to Holly's teacher and not be distracted by the fact he might possibly find her attractive. He cleared his throat and rather timidly said her name, "Ms. Heyward?"
She slowly turned around and was surprised to see him standing there, she dropped the marker in her hands. "Mr. Jobson."
"I was wondering if you had a minute?" She couldn't take her eyes off him, what was wrong with her...this never happened. Why was this guy having this effect on her. He was still standing outside the door, his hands in his pockets standing like a school boy, who had been told off.
She quickly snapped out of her daze and came to her senses, returning to the papers on the desk, "Actually, I don't. The bell is aboaut to ring and I have 30 ten year olds to deal with. You will have to make an appointment. Maybe Thursday after school." She decided it was best to stay focused on the papers and not look up at him again or she might crumble.
"I am afraid this can't wait till then."
Emma began to feel a little defensive and agitated with him standing there and just wanted him to leave, "Okay, I suppose I could squeeze you in today at 3:30, but it will have to be quick, my daughter has Kung Fu."
"No, that won't do either."
Now she was ready to lose her temper. Who did this guy think he was? Arrogant jerk, she thought to herself...focus on that, not the fact you find him irresistable. He obviously was used to his own way, but when she looked up he was holding a white handkerchief and waving it, smiling apologetically.
The slight wave of anger Emma had felt was replaced with a smile and thinking to herself, how sweet.
"Truce?" he asked.
She motioned for him to come in the classroom and he did so, stuffing the handkerchief back into his pocket, walking slowly. He picked up the marker she had dropped and handed it to her smiling. She took it from him and noticed his hands...huge, callused...so he was used to manual labor, his arms tanned from working outside possibly. Why did she care?
He then spoke and brought her back to reality, "My behaviour the other day and on the phone was uncalled for. I'm new to this father gig and I take offense at anyone who criticizes my abilities as one. You rubbed me the wrong way, I became all defensive. I deserved what you said. I will never make father of the year, but one thing you have to know Ms. Heyward, Holly means everything to me. I would do anything for her and I have done so in the past. And I do have my concerns, like you. She is so worried about me and how I am getting on, that she puts herself second. Says she doesn't need friends. Which I know is not the case. I don't want her to look back on her childhood and remember looking after me. I need some help, I obviously can't do this on my own. I came to apologize and hope that we can start again, this time on the right foot. I think we need to work together to help Holly. What do you say?"
Emma looked at him seriously. He was reaching out, something very few parents did. "I say that I was wrong about you. YOu could very well be father of the year material. Or at least you are on the right track. I have been a parent for 15 years and I still don't get things right, you witnessed one of those times on Saturday. But I can see how much you care about your daughter and she is such a lovely girl, that is a reflection on you, whether you have always been there or not." She then smiled at him and he took a deep sigh of relief.
"That was not easy for me."
"You did a great job. And I must say, I should be apologizing as well. I should have been more understanding. I am new at this teacher thing and find I have a lot to learn about dealing with parents."
"Apology accepted." he smiled at her. They looked at each other and it seemed like ages, when it was only a few seconds, and the bell rang and the next thing they both knew, children began filing into the classroom, all of them looking at Stanley with curiousity. Holly felt a bit embarrassed that he was still there. He leaned over to hug her and she gave him the evil eye, "Dad, not here. Don't you need to go to work?"
"Right." He rubbed his hands together and looked at Emma, "If Thursday is still fine with you, about 4pm. I think I can get away about then."
"That would be fine."
He walked out of the classroom turned to wave to Holly but she was busy getting her pencil case out of her backback, Emma smiled and waved at him instead and it almost made up for the lack of interest his daughter had shown him. As he walked out to his car he realized he was already anticipating his meeting with Ms. Heyward. Of course it was for Holly's sake. No other reason.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rachel finally caught up with Emma at lunch. She looked better actually, seemed happier and Rachel wondered if it had anything to do with Mr. Jobson's visit.
"So are you going to fill me in or am I going to have to pry it out of you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I saw Stan the computer man heading for you room this morning."
"Oh, that."
"Stop acting so non chalant about it all. So tell me..." She leaned forward on the faculty lounge table facing Emma. There were others near them and they looked over. Emma didn't not want any gossip started about herself. And felt they were all listening.
"I have a conference with him on Thursday, about Holly. He apologized and everything seems fine. There isn't much to tell."
"I think you are leaving some vital information out."
"When are you going to give it a rest?"
Rachel smiled, "When you admit that you find him attractive."
"Okay, I find him attractive..now will you leave it alone. I am not looking for anyone as you well know. Can we drop this subject, I feel like everyone in the room is looking at me."
"That is because you have turned 3 shades of red, since I brought him up. And maybe you aren't looking, that is when the best things happen, Emma."
"First of all, I am hardly his type."
"And what is that? You don't even know him."
"Exactly. I don't know him, good point. That was 2nd on my list."
"If you have a list you have been thinking about him."
Emma was relieved when another teacher came up to them, "Emma, I wanted to make sure we were still going ahead with your music lesson...combining the classes at the end of the day."
"Yes, that is the plan, Meg. So just bring your class over to mine at about 1:45."
"Perfect, I think it's a great idea actually. I am so glad the principal okay'd it. My kids are really excited."
"I am glad. I think all kids should have the opportunity to experience music and it's a shame so many schools have dropped their music programs. Don't get me started on that subject, you both know how I feel about music in the schools."
"I couldn't help but notice this morning Holly's dad paid you a visit." Meg added, changing the subject not very subtily.
Emma eyed Rachel and Rachel just smiled. Who else knew about this visit...this is all she needed. This is where gossip began..and Meg was known for being the biggest gossip in the school.
"Yes, he did. We are both concerened about Holly not interacting with other students."
" I heard he is a single dad. New in town."
"You heard right." Emma looked at the clock still 5 minutes til lunch was over...she did not want to deal with this conversation and where it was going.
"Do you know anything about their background?"
"I am sure you know more than I do, Meg." she said saracastically.
"What did you mean by that?"
"Nothing except you do seem to know what's going on all the time and ask a lot of questions. My main concern is Holly in this matter and I am sure her father will enlighten me on any background information that is relevent to the problem we are dealing with. And that isn't any concern of yours, Meg, since you are a 4th grade teacher and Holly won't be passing through your class."
"You don't have to be so rude about, Emma. I was just showing some interest. Some concern. I don't like seeing Holly sitting on her own at lunchtime."
"Well, you don't have to worry, I am working on it."
"And are you working on her father as well?"
Emma was shocked by this statement, "Excuse me?"
"Well, everyone knows that you have no relationship at the present and he is single and fairly nice looking."
"I am doing no such thing and I don't like the fact that you are talking about me and trying to make me out to be some vulture who preys on all single men."
"No, that is Rachel's department." Meg snidely said.
Rachel started to laugh, "you are just jealous Meg. You know it would kill you if Holly's dad was interested in Emma. You have tried to make yourself available to every single Dad in this school. Did you take up teaching for the kids or are you just scoping out all the single fathers in San Diego, you are no better than me. I just happen to find mine at bars or clubs. I keep my work seperate."
Emma picked up her lunchbox and headed for the door, Rachel followed her, "The nerve of that woman."
"Rachel, you didn't have to throw my name in with his. That is only giving her bait."
"Well, you have nothing to worry about, because you are so certain Mr. Jobson has no interest in you whatsoever."
"That is right, it is purely a teacher/parent relationship. Helping Holly, that is it."
"I will remember you said that, later down the road...he'll ask you out for coffee, maybe go to the movies...take it from there."
"Stop it."
"Okay, okay, don't get all worked up about it. But you know you would love to see Meg's face if our man Stan actually did make an advance."
Emma smiled, she had to admit, it was a nice thought. Meg was a pain in the ass and wasn't a good teacher. Rachel had been right, her main purpose was to scope out all the single Dads, of course she was so obvious that she really had no chance with any of them but it didn't stop her from giving it her best shot. Which was pretty pathetic. Emma did not want to become the next Meg. Feeling desperate and scoping out single Dads. Of course Holly's dad was the first to come her way, but was she following the same course as Meg. Was she attracted to him because he was a single Dad. She put it out of her mind and decided that she had to concentrate on the parent/teacher relationship. That was what was important Concentrate on Holly. She could do it. It couldn't be that difficult, surely.
She arrived at school early, she liked the time in the classroom with no children and she could easily prepare the days lessons, Rachel was usually late but today she found Rachel at the door of her classroom bright eyed and bushy tailed.
"What are you doing here at this hour?"
"I have been thinking about you all weekend and how we can get you together with Stan the computer man."
Emma continued with sorting through some books, "Give it a rest, Rachel."
Rachel stared at her, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, why?"
"You look like you haven't slept."
"And that is bad...I look bad is what you are saying."
"No...just that you haven't slept."
"Well, I haven't."
Rachel smiled, "Really, tell me all about it."
"Nothing to tell, last week was not my best, and I haven't even begun to Xmas shop. Gary wants the kids for Christmas and I really hate being alone at Christmas."
"And that's all that is on your mind?"
"Isn't that enough?"
"You haven't even thought about Holly's dad?"
"No, I have not. You know Rachel, I have so much to do before the bell rings, can we talk at lunch?"
"Okay, I will go, but you can't avoid this subject."
"Whatever." She watched Rachel leave and was glad to have the peace and quiet once again...she could hear faint sounds of children outside...but she still had a good 15 minutes before the starting bell rang.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Rachel walked out of the classroom, she headed towards the front office and was surprised to see Holly and her Dad. Holly usually took the bus, he gave her a hug and kiss and she ran off to the playground while he headed towards her. She couldn't let this opportunity go and stopped him. "Mr. Jobson, it's nice to see you again."
"Ah, Ms...." he couldn't remember her name and felt a bit embarrassed.
"Jacobs. It's okay. I didn't expect you to remember me." She noticed him looking around the different room numbers, "It's room 19. That's Holly's room, I assume you want to talk to Emma."
"Emma?"
"Sorry, Ms. Heyward. She's there, but I will warn you, she hasn't had much sleep and I suggest you tread lightly, and try not to rile her up again."
"I actually came to apologize."
Rachel smiled at him, "Well, that is something most men don't do. I commend you highly for making the effort, not that she will forgive you. She has thought of nothing else but that scene at the fair and I am sure it is the reason she has not been sleeping."
Stanley was surprised. "Somehow I find that hard to believe, Ms. Jacob."
"Well, you can make your own assumptions. Good luck." Rachel walked away and smiled, she had set the ball rolling and Emma would be none the wiser for it.
Stanley decided not to let that remark get to him, she was an odd one that Ms. Jacobs. He hadn't really liked the way she checked him out the other day, it made him very uncomfortable, especially coming from a teacher of all people. He had never cared for flirts and women who made it quite clear what they wanted from a man, of course Melissa had been like that, but he had been a lot younger then and look where that had lead him, a shot gun wedding by her father in Austin, and a baby 7 months later. He shook the thought out of his mind, she was the last person he wanted to think about at this moment. He headed towards room 19 and the door was open. He stood in the doorway and looked in. Emma's back was to him as she wrote on the white board. He raised his eyebrows at the sight of her in a short skirt. She definitley had a fine pair of legs. Another thought he had to shake out of his mind, he was here to talk to Holly's teacher and not be distracted by the fact he might possibly find her attractive. He cleared his throat and rather timidly said her name, "Ms. Heyward?"
She slowly turned around and was surprised to see him standing there, she dropped the marker in her hands. "Mr. Jobson."
"I was wondering if you had a minute?" She couldn't take her eyes off him, what was wrong with her...this never happened. Why was this guy having this effect on her. He was still standing outside the door, his hands in his pockets standing like a school boy, who had been told off.
She quickly snapped out of her daze and came to her senses, returning to the papers on the desk, "Actually, I don't. The bell is aboaut to ring and I have 30 ten year olds to deal with. You will have to make an appointment. Maybe Thursday after school." She decided it was best to stay focused on the papers and not look up at him again or she might crumble.
"I am afraid this can't wait till then."
Emma began to feel a little defensive and agitated with him standing there and just wanted him to leave, "Okay, I suppose I could squeeze you in today at 3:30, but it will have to be quick, my daughter has Kung Fu."
"No, that won't do either."
Now she was ready to lose her temper. Who did this guy think he was? Arrogant jerk, she thought to herself...focus on that, not the fact you find him irresistable. He obviously was used to his own way, but when she looked up he was holding a white handkerchief and waving it, smiling apologetically.
The slight wave of anger Emma had felt was replaced with a smile and thinking to herself, how sweet.
"Truce?" he asked.
She motioned for him to come in the classroom and he did so, stuffing the handkerchief back into his pocket, walking slowly. He picked up the marker she had dropped and handed it to her smiling. She took it from him and noticed his hands...huge, callused...so he was used to manual labor, his arms tanned from working outside possibly. Why did she care?
He then spoke and brought her back to reality, "My behaviour the other day and on the phone was uncalled for. I'm new to this father gig and I take offense at anyone who criticizes my abilities as one. You rubbed me the wrong way, I became all defensive. I deserved what you said. I will never make father of the year, but one thing you have to know Ms. Heyward, Holly means everything to me. I would do anything for her and I have done so in the past. And I do have my concerns, like you. She is so worried about me and how I am getting on, that she puts herself second. Says she doesn't need friends. Which I know is not the case. I don't want her to look back on her childhood and remember looking after me. I need some help, I obviously can't do this on my own. I came to apologize and hope that we can start again, this time on the right foot. I think we need to work together to help Holly. What do you say?"
Emma looked at him seriously. He was reaching out, something very few parents did. "I say that I was wrong about you. YOu could very well be father of the year material. Or at least you are on the right track. I have been a parent for 15 years and I still don't get things right, you witnessed one of those times on Saturday. But I can see how much you care about your daughter and she is such a lovely girl, that is a reflection on you, whether you have always been there or not." She then smiled at him and he took a deep sigh of relief.
"That was not easy for me."
"You did a great job. And I must say, I should be apologizing as well. I should have been more understanding. I am new at this teacher thing and find I have a lot to learn about dealing with parents."
"Apology accepted." he smiled at her. They looked at each other and it seemed like ages, when it was only a few seconds, and the bell rang and the next thing they both knew, children began filing into the classroom, all of them looking at Stanley with curiousity. Holly felt a bit embarrassed that he was still there. He leaned over to hug her and she gave him the evil eye, "Dad, not here. Don't you need to go to work?"
"Right." He rubbed his hands together and looked at Emma, "If Thursday is still fine with you, about 4pm. I think I can get away about then."
"That would be fine."
He walked out of the classroom turned to wave to Holly but she was busy getting her pencil case out of her backback, Emma smiled and waved at him instead and it almost made up for the lack of interest his daughter had shown him. As he walked out to his car he realized he was already anticipating his meeting with Ms. Heyward. Of course it was for Holly's sake. No other reason.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rachel finally caught up with Emma at lunch. She looked better actually, seemed happier and Rachel wondered if it had anything to do with Mr. Jobson's visit.
"So are you going to fill me in or am I going to have to pry it out of you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I saw Stan the computer man heading for you room this morning."
"Oh, that."
"Stop acting so non chalant about it all. So tell me..." She leaned forward on the faculty lounge table facing Emma. There were others near them and they looked over. Emma didn't not want any gossip started about herself. And felt they were all listening.
"I have a conference with him on Thursday, about Holly. He apologized and everything seems fine. There isn't much to tell."
"I think you are leaving some vital information out."
"When are you going to give it a rest?"
Rachel smiled, "When you admit that you find him attractive."
"Okay, I find him attractive..now will you leave it alone. I am not looking for anyone as you well know. Can we drop this subject, I feel like everyone in the room is looking at me."
"That is because you have turned 3 shades of red, since I brought him up. And maybe you aren't looking, that is when the best things happen, Emma."
"First of all, I am hardly his type."
"And what is that? You don't even know him."
"Exactly. I don't know him, good point. That was 2nd on my list."
"If you have a list you have been thinking about him."
Emma was relieved when another teacher came up to them, "Emma, I wanted to make sure we were still going ahead with your music lesson...combining the classes at the end of the day."
"Yes, that is the plan, Meg. So just bring your class over to mine at about 1:45."
"Perfect, I think it's a great idea actually. I am so glad the principal okay'd it. My kids are really excited."
"I am glad. I think all kids should have the opportunity to experience music and it's a shame so many schools have dropped their music programs. Don't get me started on that subject, you both know how I feel about music in the schools."
"I couldn't help but notice this morning Holly's dad paid you a visit." Meg added, changing the subject not very subtily.
Emma eyed Rachel and Rachel just smiled. Who else knew about this visit...this is all she needed. This is where gossip began..and Meg was known for being the biggest gossip in the school.
"Yes, he did. We are both concerened about Holly not interacting with other students."
" I heard he is a single dad. New in town."
"You heard right." Emma looked at the clock still 5 minutes til lunch was over...she did not want to deal with this conversation and where it was going.
"Do you know anything about their background?"
"I am sure you know more than I do, Meg." she said saracastically.
"What did you mean by that?"
"Nothing except you do seem to know what's going on all the time and ask a lot of questions. My main concern is Holly in this matter and I am sure her father will enlighten me on any background information that is relevent to the problem we are dealing with. And that isn't any concern of yours, Meg, since you are a 4th grade teacher and Holly won't be passing through your class."
"You don't have to be so rude about, Emma. I was just showing some interest. Some concern. I don't like seeing Holly sitting on her own at lunchtime."
"Well, you don't have to worry, I am working on it."
"And are you working on her father as well?"
Emma was shocked by this statement, "Excuse me?"
"Well, everyone knows that you have no relationship at the present and he is single and fairly nice looking."
"I am doing no such thing and I don't like the fact that you are talking about me and trying to make me out to be some vulture who preys on all single men."
"No, that is Rachel's department." Meg snidely said.
Rachel started to laugh, "you are just jealous Meg. You know it would kill you if Holly's dad was interested in Emma. You have tried to make yourself available to every single Dad in this school. Did you take up teaching for the kids or are you just scoping out all the single fathers in San Diego, you are no better than me. I just happen to find mine at bars or clubs. I keep my work seperate."
Emma picked up her lunchbox and headed for the door, Rachel followed her, "The nerve of that woman."
"Rachel, you didn't have to throw my name in with his. That is only giving her bait."
"Well, you have nothing to worry about, because you are so certain Mr. Jobson has no interest in you whatsoever."
"That is right, it is purely a teacher/parent relationship. Helping Holly, that is it."
"I will remember you said that, later down the road...he'll ask you out for coffee, maybe go to the movies...take it from there."
"Stop it."
"Okay, okay, don't get all worked up about it. But you know you would love to see Meg's face if our man Stan actually did make an advance."
Emma smiled, she had to admit, it was a nice thought. Meg was a pain in the ass and wasn't a good teacher. Rachel had been right, her main purpose was to scope out all the single Dads, of course she was so obvious that she really had no chance with any of them but it didn't stop her from giving it her best shot. Which was pretty pathetic. Emma did not want to become the next Meg. Feeling desperate and scoping out single Dads. Of course Holly's dad was the first to come her way, but was she following the same course as Meg. Was she attracted to him because he was a single Dad. She put it out of her mind and decided that she had to concentrate on the parent/teacher relationship. That was what was important Concentrate on Holly. She could do it. It couldn't be that difficult, surely.