Page 7 of Mr. B

Over the next couple of hours, Wes had almost convinced himself he could handle the Cassandra situation. He kept himself busy and ate lunch in his office. As the pep rally approached, someone knocked on his door.

“Come in.”

Cassandra opened the door and stepped into the room with a muffin in her hand. She held it up. “What is this?”

“It’s a muffin.”

“I know it’s a muffin. Why are there three baskets of homemade muffins out there?”

“Some of the parents like to show their appreciation to the staff.”

“With home baked goods?”

“Yeah.”

She studied the muffin for a moment. “I’m guessing that these appreciative parents are all single women.”

“They could be. I don’t know.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm, what?”

“Nothing.” She took a bite of the muffin. “Pretty good.”

“Why do you care who brings me muffins?”

“I don’t.”

“Please go eat that in your office.”

“Yes, boss.” She started to close the door.

“And don’t make a habit of eating my muffins.”

She smiled. “Your muffins? I thought they were for the staff.”

“Just go away, please.”

The last class of the day was canceled for the pep rally, and everyone gathered in the gymnasium. A favorite tradition at the first pep rally of the year was for Wes, Tony, the choir instructor, and Vince, the basketball coach, to sing the Bridgeport High Anthem. They’d sing the first verse a cappella, then the band and students would join in for the second. At the end, they’d go straight into the fight song.

Wes went to the microphone and held up a hand to quiet the crowd of two hundred students. After a few whistles, they quieted down.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to make another speech. We’re going to open the rally with our song, and then I’m going to turn it over to Coach Porter. I can’t promise you he won’t make a speech.” The kids cheered and whistled. Wes held up a hand again. “Then we’re going to have a performance by the cheerleaders.” More cheering. “But before the song, I want to introduce a couple of new staff members to Bridgeport High. We had two of our family leave over the summer. One we knew was coming, and the other was a surprise.” He waved to Cassandra and Emma Tanner, the new school nurse. “This is Ms. Tanner, our new school nurse. Dr. Jordan is replacing Mr. Bishop as our guidance counselor. You might have seen her around over the last couple of years, but she’s now joined our staff full-time. Welcome, ladies.” The kids clapped, and Wes motioned for Vince and Tony to join him. “Okay. Here we go.”

After ten minutes of rousing music, cheering, clapping, and stomping feet, Coach Porter took the microphone, and Wes stepped back to stand with the teachers. Cassandra moved next to him and nudged him.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“I forgot what a good voice you had. Of course, back then you only sang for me.”

“I’m not a shy nineteen-year-old anymore.”

“I guess not. I’m impressed.” She looked at the auditorium filled with teens. “They really like you.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”