~Jaylene~
As horrible as last night was, I woke up this morning and followed my usual routine. I had to go to work because I had to live. My parents have money, that’s a fact, but I removed myself from that years ago. I’ve fended for myself, and I’ve always taken it seriously. As much as I wanted to bury my head in the sand, I don’t have that luxury right now.
I majored in psychology in college but didn’t really have a plan for after. I took an Intro to Psychology class and fell in love. Being in that class helped me start to make sense of some of the things that I had been through as a teenager. It brought me clarity and gave me the strength I needed to break away from my parents.
I took my psychology degree and decided to work in a public school. I’m not a teacher, just a teacher aide in a special education class. It isn’t much, but I really enjoy what I do. I love working with the kids and helping them learn about the world surrounding them.
I don’t want to be a teacher because I don’t want to deal with the background politics that they deal with. I speak with my teacher often and listen to her when she vents. It’s nothing that I want to have to deal with myself. I have a trust fund that will be made available to me when I turn 30. This job helps me live everyday life, and the trust fund lets me do what I want rather than do what will bring in the most money. My parents want me in the family business, but I’m not interested.
I look at the clock, and we have an hour left of school. The kids are engrossed in a science project, and I’m going around helping where I can. I’m vaguely aware of the door opening, but I figure it’s someone for my teacher and nothing for me to worry about. “Uh, Ms. Mackey?” I turn my head to the front of the classroom, and my blood runs cold. I walk over to my teacher, my stomach knotting up with each step I take. “This Mr. Gage is here to see you.” She smiles at me and gives me a wink. I try to return her smile, but I can’t imagine what my face looks like right now.
“Hello, Ms. Mackey.” He hands me a bouquet of roses. I take them, and I swallow the emotion that’s stuck in my throat.
“Let’s talk outside.” I turn to the door and walk out of the classroom, not waiting to see if Deon’s following me or not. I stand in the hallway, thankful that my classroom is at the end of the hall so that I won’t bother anyone in the hallway. I turn and watch Deon walk out of the classroom, closing the door behind him. He walks over to me and reaches out to touch my face. I quickly step back, not interested in his touch.
“Don’t act like that, baby.” Deon retracts his hand and looks around us. “I don’t know why you are working in such a dump, but we can discuss that later.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. I didn’t ask you to come here or comment on my life. What are you doing here? How’d you even know where I work?” Deon smiles a sick, sinister smile.
“Why wouldn’t I know where you work? You’re my future wife. I always need to know where you are.” I know that’s a deeper meaning to his words, but I don’t want to explore any of that right now. I’m at work, and this is not the place for all the negativity.
“What do you want? Why are you here?” Deon steps closer, causing me to step back. A flash of disappointment appears on his face before quickly disappearing. He puts a light look on his face, including a smile.
“I want to take you out. We should get reacquainted to begin our path to marriage.” Anger simmers just beneath my surface, but I can’t let it out right now. I need my job, so it isn’t an option, and that’s in Deon’s best interest.
“I want you to leave and don’t ever come back here. This is my place of business and I don’t need you here making things rough for me. I don’t want you; I will never want you. You’ve been dead to me for a long time now and that will never change.” Deon holds my gaze but doesn’t move or say anything. Suddenly, a smile breaks out on his face that sends a shiver down my spine.
“I WILL be seeing you around, love. Please, never doubt that. Your time of being away from me is over.” Deon turns on his heel and walks down the hall, getting smaller the further he goes.
I walk back into the classroom, letting the door quietly close behind me. I walk to my teacher’s desk and place the flowers on top. She looks up at me with a surprised expression. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t give you flowers?” I walk away before she can respond and go back to helping my students.
“Ms. Mac, was that your boyfriend?” I turn to Marissa, who has a huge grin on her face. Some of the other students start to laugh, and I shake my head.
“No, ma’am. That’s just someone I used to know a long time ago.”
“You don’t like him?” That’s a loaded question, for sure.
“He brought you flowers; how sweet.”
“Hey guys, why don’t we focus on this science project and leave Ms. Mackey in peace, huh?” I look at my teacher in appreciation and focus on helping the students. There’s too much going on in my mind, and I don’t want to think about any of it for a bit. I just want to forget I ever saw Deon Gage again.