“Thank you,” Nick replied. He waited for the hug to subside. It didn’t, so he held her at arm’s length. “I promise we will be in contact everyday with completed homework, and input for the subjects covered in the classroom. Jean’s Mom is looking forward to this trip because of her pregnancy. She wants to go before she gets any closer to her delivery date.”
“I hope your trip is a wonderful adventure for all of you.”
“Just wonderful would be fine. Is there something I can fill out in the office when my trip dates are set?”
“I have your e-mail address, Nick. I’ll send you the forms so you can fill them out whenever you wish.”
“That would be perfect. Thanks for your help.”
“I wish I were going on a trip.”
“Still being blamed for Saif’s death even though he was trying to kill you?”
Dimah nodded. “I do not blame them either. Perhaps by the time you get back, everything will have returned to normal.”
“Let’s hope so.” Nick waved as he turned. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks again.”
“Of course. Goodbye, Nick.”
Before Nick could get out the door, Denise Santiago confronted him at the doorway. Nick glanced toward where Gus and Jean were waiting for him with big smiles when they saw who had corralled him. Nick could see in Denise’s eyes the heels on her shoes were not the only things that were high.
“Hi, Denise.”
“I need to talk to you.” She gripped his arm, steering him around the corner of the entrance. In the time Nick had been talking to Dimah Kader, the movement of parents, students, and teachers had thinned out. Denise wore a black miniskirt with a pink low cut blouse in spite of the chilly wind off the ocean.
“Sure… ah… what can I do for you?” Nick noticed Denise’s daughter Lisa had joined Jean and Gus on the sidewalk, looking anxiously at her Mom while petting Deke.
“I saw you doing a happy dance with Kader in the hallway. What’s up with that?” Although her words didn’t slur, she had the look of someone using a mind altering happy drug to Nick.
Nick chose his words carefully, not wanting to find himself in the middle of a nonsensical argument with some other kid’s mother. “She thanked me, because since the death of her cousin, she’s had better relations with them. I also asked her if I could hand in assignments online during the leave of absence for Jean. My daughter will be accompanying me on a business trip having to do with my novels.”
The smirk on Denise’s face did not bode well for Nick’s statement of truth. “You’re nailing Kader. A woman knows. Why mess with her, and take a chance on being found out by the school?” Denise leaned in close to Nick, moving her hand over his shoulder. “I’m more woman than Kader ever thought of being. If you need someone on the side, I’m available Nick.”
“C’mon, Denise.” Nick met her stoned gaze with what he hoped was a compassionate one. “You’re attractive, but I do not cheat on Rachel. She’s pregnant with my unborn son. Rachel and I have been through a lot. There is no way in the world I would ever do that to her. I bet Ray feels the same way about you.”
Nick saw his statement hit her where it hurt. He took her arm in guiding fashion. “Come say hello to my partner Gus, and Deke the dog, my canine partner. Think this through, Denise. Counting our blessings makes all the difference in the world. Ray’s a good guy, and Lisa is a great kid. Sometimes the real world, when compared to reality show and celebrity crap, seems mundane. Take a moment to consider the lives of most fabulous celebrities. They spend more time in rehab than they do in real life. You have a real life to protect and enjoy.”
Oh boy… me as Dr. Phil, Nick thought. There’s a scary image. “What are you on?”
“Oxy,” Denise admitted, avoiding Nick’s eyes. “I…I’ve been popping a couple a day. How did you know? Shit… it’s that obvious?”
“Yeah, Denise, it is. Any chance you can stop popping them by yourself?”
“I don’t know.” Denise looked out at Lisa, her eyes filling with tears.
“Damn it… I am so fucked up… you’re right! I need to at least try.” Denise wiped away tears. She let Nick walk her to their waiting group, Denise petted Deke, and then hugged a surprised Lisa. “Hi Gus… hi Jean… we have to get home and make dinner for your Dad, baby. Nice seeing you all.”
Gus and Jean said hi. Lisa held onto her Mom for a moment. “Are you okay, Mom?”
“I think so, honey.”
“You’re crying.”
“Nick reminded me of something from the old days. It’s like when I cry during one of those goofy Budweiser commercials during the Superbowl.”
Lisa smiled over at Jean. “She does too. When the horses gallop down the street, Mom starts bawling.”
“That’s okay,” Jean replied. “My Mom cries when she watches a McDonald’s hamburger commercial since she got pregnant.”