I soaked in the bath until my fingers started turning into prunes and the water was ice cold. I dried off, pulling my wet hair up into a ponytail, and sliding a pair of sweats on. I felt a little bit more normal, but not by much.
I padded through the quiet house and was surprised at how clean it was. Tootsie perked up from his spot on the couch when he heard me, but laid back down when he realized it wasn’t Chase or Caleb. I guess I couldn’t blame him for ignoring me; I had been doing the same thing to him and everyone else.
Chase really had been doing a good job, when I couldn’t manage. Caleb had gone to visit Roy over the holidays, and although it killed me to have him gone, it was the best thing for him. Besides, I’m sure Roy loved having Caleb around for the holidays; they were always more fun with kids.
I opened up the fridge when my stomach grumbled and pulled out a bottle of water. My appetite had been pretty nonexistent and Chase was constantly getting on me about eating like a bird. I grabbed a few crackers and headed back to the bedroom, but stopped when the artwork in the living room caught my eye.
Caleb must have done it as a Christmas present. There was an oversized drawing that I could instantly tell was his handiwork, and about a million different stick figures crammed onto the piece of paper. Each oddly shaped figure was labeled by name in Chase’s handwriting. A small smile curved up my lips when I saw who was all in the picture that was titled, “My Family.”
Everyone was in there from me, Chase, Roy, all of Chase’s family, Ally, Remy, and even Teddy. Teddy wasn’t the best with kids, but he and Caleb seemed to get along for some reason, really well to the point it was almost disturbing. I really didn’t want any of Teddy’s ways rubbing off on my sweet, innocent Caleb. If he turned out just like Chase, I would be happy.
I swiped a tear that had rolled down my cheek. I suddenly felt a whole new guilt for pushing everyone away when they were just trying to help me, but I hadn’t seen in that way. I set the picture back down where Chase had it displayed in a glass picture frame and headed back towards the bedroom.
Maybe it was time to start moving on. I knew I couldn’t be depressed for the rest of my life. Everyone would get fed up with me eventually. I needed to start living again.
Of course, all of those thoughts flew right out the window the minute I turned the TV on and every channel seemed to have a baby on it. The waterworks started up right away again and I couldn’t control it. I slumped back into my depression quickly, pulling the covers over my head and trying to block out the images of those sweet, smiling babies. I would never have those memories from the baby that I had lost. I was never given the chance.
Chapter 15
Chase
“Mr. O’Neil, the case against you has been closed. I apologize that it took so long, but what with the holiday break, it just ended up that way. We had several witnesses come forward, stating that they overheard Ms. Taylor bragging about setting you up. Apparently, she had the whole thing planned out and when we brought her down to the office with our claims, she confessed to the whole thing.” Principal Mowry pushed his glasses up as he looked down at the papers in front of him. For the first time in a while, I felt some sort of happiness. Finally, I could put this mess behind me.
“We apologize that it had to come to this. You’re a bright young man and you’re students seem to love you. I assume Ms. Taylor was looking for some sort of attention. Her parents have been made well aware of the situation. We also thought it would be a good idea if she were to be switched into another English class, it just seems necessary.” I blew out a breath and wiped my sweaty palms on my pants.
Pretty necessary indeed.
I was surprised it hadn’t happened sooner and I was glad I wouldn’t have to be dodging her wandering hands any longer.
“Thank you, Mr. Mowry. I’m glad we can finally put this situation behind us and I can focus more on my job.” I stood to shake his hand, and let out another woosh of air when I shut the door behind me.
Hopefully, that would be the last time I was in the principal’s office. That was finally over, now if I could just make some progress with my wife, life would be golden.
I grabbed my phone out of my pocket when I hopped in my truck to leave for the day. I grinned when I saw it was Teddy. I hadn’t heard from him and Mark much since they had left for their tour, but when I did, they sounded like they were having an awesome time out on the road.
“Hey dude, what’s going on?”
“O’Neil!” he yelled into the phone over what sounded like instruments being tuned. I couldn’t lie, I missed holding a guitar in my hands almost every day, and I was definitely jealous of the guys. If I was still into songwriting, I would have an album by now with the shit that had been going on in my life lately.