A lazy Saturday

You spend some time, a good half an hour perhaps, after the new Dean of Students left your office, just inwardly raging against his presence at the school, against the board which had **** him on you, and how at how he had gotten under your skin. Also, much to your chagrin, at those feelings of raw attraction which you had felt towards him. Attempting to get some work done, going over the plans for getting the school year off to a good start once more, the scheduled meetings with the faculty and then introductions for the students, both first and second year. But with all of this having been sorted out already, you soon find yourself simply shuffling some papers around as your mind continues to drift elsewhere. To those feelings of anger and annoyance. And to other feelings too, fueled by images of masculine figures imposing themselves on a community and the turmoil they bring with them…

So, you end up with your head in your novel, reading several more of your favorite passages in The Highlander’s Passionate Conquests where MacGregor is in the role of the outsider throwing various other clans into disarray when he attracts and corrupts the wives and daughters of these. In your mind you put the new arrivals in this position, with your attraction to them. The new coach, who made you feel weak in the knees. The Dean who infuriated you, while being his calm and handsome self. The good-looking older biology teacher and finally the charismatic Mr. Sharps.

Hot and bothered, having emotions of all sorts filling your mind, and affecting your body, you finally decide to get out of there. It’s Saturday after all and, having only had those new arrivals on your schedule means your work for the day is done. So, you stuff the book back into your purse and leave.

Getting outside and breathing in the fresh air helped calm you mind, pushing the fantasies to the back of your mind as, with some students around the ground already as well as members of custodial staff, you had to put on your public headmistress facade.

You had been thrown off by the behavior of Mr. Hawkfeather, to the point where slapping him across that stupid, gorgeous face of his had almost entered your mind. How would the addition of men like this influence this academy, with so many females on staff, some older and more traditionalist, and some young and not too far removed from the wildness of college… and knowing that a few of the students were flirty little bitches. You’re reminded of smacking young Valerie at this. Your mind filled with frustration at the prospect of the added work this would require for you and your certainty that this experiment with male teachers would fail.

You catch up with Honey, and have to ignore her smiles and pointed inquiries into how the days task went, wanting to hear all about the men. One in particular.

“We got them settled in, then we’ll see…” you brush her off before changing the subject.

She lets you, giving you one of those teasing smiles of hers. Something which repeats several more times over the next couple of hours, teasing remarks to get a rise out of you, smiling at your reaction as you brush them off. You take Honey’s small hatchback into town and spend some time catching up with a few of your regular spots, and those friends and acquittances working or frequenting those places, before finally ending up on the patio of your favorite little café here.

There are a number of places where you can get something decent to eat in town, nice little bistros and cafes lining the main street, but Val’s - situated on a quiet side street - had been you and Honey’s preferred spot for years now. It hadn’t registered to you back when you yourself had been a student, preferring the same kind of establishments which these days also came with the risk of running into some of your girls from the Pink Rose, in of itself a good reason to avoid those. But Val’s also had good food, a friendly waitress and pretty good food.

Over a cup of coffee, the two of you go over the events of the past week, from when you had gotten back from your shared holiday and had turned your focus onto getting this year at the Pink Rose off to a good start. All the while still having to either ignore or dodge Honey’s playful remarks. You manage to steer the conversation to some more general gossip, about how the men would settle in, and the trouble they would undoubtably cause. Among the students, certain teachers… for one reason or another as Honey pointed out with a smile, mentioning some of the younger teachers and then pausing while smirking at you.

Well, it wasn’t you who had such intimate prior knowledge with one of the new teachers you think, but before you can throw that back at her you’re interrupted by the sound of a ringtone.

“Oh, sorry,” Honey excuse herself when glancing at her phone, “- have to take this.”

You knew she had some ongoing family issues, an aunt and some cousins needing some help every now and then a few hours drive from here. By the look in her eyes and tone of her voice of your longtime friend all but confirmed that this would be what this call is about.

As Honey moves away, cell to one ear, she passes the owner of Val’s herself, Valerie, as she steps outside. A smile and a quick wave hello, that usual big smile becoming slightly strained, no doubt from seeing the stress on Honey’s face. But then she moves on and welcomes you back in town.

“Diane, finally back,” she gushes and then touches, “- something the matter?”

You understand her meaning as you both glance towards Honey and her ongoing call. You assure her and tell her what she needs to know, turning the talk to catching up on the past few months for both of you. Your vacation, what had happened in town since last you had been around.

“There’s one thing you should know,” Valerie tells you after some time and produces a card from her apron, “- there’s another reporter in town,” she sighs, “- though just the one this time ‘round.”

“Hm, yes…” you glance at the card of Holly Piper, Boston Globe, “- I am aware of Ms. Piper. Thanks for the heads up,” you sigh yourself, before assuring your friend that the town wouldn’t be at the center of another storm like last time around. You hoped that to be true.

And then turning your attention and the topic of conversation to what she had to offer for dinner.

“Well, that will need to to-go,” Honey cuts in when you and Val had settled on a dish, “Hallo Val!” the two greets properly.

So, you evening is cut short and you’re back in Honey’s car, a take-away bag with some dinner, a lamb and eggplant dish, and a bottle of wine. Honey assures you that everything is alright, but that she will have to leave, for a day perhaps, but she will be back before Monday.

Sending her on her way, whishing the best for her aunt and nieces, you watch her drive off as you yourself now have a quiet night it to look forward to. Not the worst prospect with this place soon to be running with teenage girls…