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"You're welcome," she said with a silly grin on her face.
"Now get to class."
"Aye, aye, lover boy." She mock saluted me and turned away. I watched her disappear down the hall. She was a pain in the ass, but I couldn't help but be charmed.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Every time I saw a student or colleague, I had a momentary flash of panic, worrying that the news was already out, and we hadn't even told Hailey yet. I had no idea how she would react. She adored Molly and gushed about her all the time despite my irritation. But I hadn't been with anyone since her mother. Who knew how it would make her feel?
By the end of the day, I was wound tighter than a drum. My muscles ached and the knot in my stomach hadn't loosened.
As I pulled out of the school parking lot, I thought about whether or not Molly had a boyfriend. I hadn't thought about it, but she could. And here I was dragging her into my shit.
I shook my head, irritated by the thoughts. Why did it matter? And why was I thinking about it now? This was too small of a town for her to have a boyfriend and me not know about it. Unless he was a long-distance type of thing.
"Shit," I muttered and pressed the Bluetooth button. "Call Molly."
The line rang twice and then I heard her voice. "Hey," she said, her voice warm and soft.
"Hey, you busy?"
"No, what's up?
"Do you want to come over and have dinner with me and Hailey?"
"Sure. Have you told her yet?"
"No, I thought we could tell her together," I said, realizing just how much I didn't want to do this part alone. I loved being Hailey's dad, but the older she got, the more out of my depths I started to feel. Like as a man, I lacked certain things and I felt I couldn't reach her the same way a woman could.
"Okay," she said after a pause. "What time?"
"6:30? Hailey went over to her friend Hannah's house to work on some project."
"Gotcha. Well, I can come over earlier to help you cook."
"Not necessary." My words came out faster and terser than I meant so I added a quick, "Thanks though."
"No problem, see you soon."
I hung up, and the anxiety was replaced by something else: a nervous anticipation.
As I pulled up in the driveway, my stomach lurched. This would be a disaster. I knew it would be. Hailey would take it badly, and I couldn't blame her. But I didn't see any other choice. I couldn't have those pictures leaking. Not now, not ever.
I climbed out of the car and headed into the house. Once inside, I kicked off my shoes, grabbed a beer from the fridge and did a quick inventory of supplies I had in the house. It was Friday and I usually did my grocery shopping on Saturdays, so my stock was a little thin. I had planned to order take out, but now that Molly was coming over, I wasn't sure that would cut it.
I opened the freezer and pulled out the lasagna I had made a week or two ago. I was sure it was fine, but it needed to be warmed up. I put it in the oven and set the timer.
A knock came from the front door forty minutes later. I walked out of the kitchen, through the dining room and to the front door, surprised she didn't use the sliding door, but said nothing.
"Hello," she said, a shy smile on her face. She wore the same long green dress she’d had on that morning and I wondered if she’d gone home yet.
"Come on in. How are you?"
"Good, a little nervous though."
"Me too," I replied and gestured to the dining room table.
"Can I get you anything? I have a bottle of wine, beer, or soda."
"I'll have whatever you're having."
