Page 20 of Somebody To Love

I shook my head. “No nuts. Trust me.”

She visually relaxed and then narrowed her eyes. “So, what did you bring?”

I opened the cooler. “Fruit popsicles. No nuts. No gluten. No dairy.” I was so proud of myself.

The other mothers looked unimpressed. The expressions on their faces were clear. I had failed. But I was determined to remain cheerful. “No, ladies, I promise you. Don’t look so disappointed. They’re great. All natural.”

One parent raised her eyebrows. “All natural doesn’t mean better for you.”

The rest of the moms except for Mrs. Schultz nodded. Instead, Mrs. Schultz came to my rescue. “I’m sure they’re fine.” She reached into the cooler and began to remove the popsicles. To my horror, they were almost melted.

“They were on ice… I don’t understand.”

Mrs. Schultz gave me a tight smile. I could tell she was trying to keep things in perspective and not flip out. I hoped the other moms followed her lead. “It’s no big deal… I’m sure we can just refreeze them.”

I opened my mouth and then closed it again. I could never be a parent. I couldn’t even get the snacks to an event safely.

“I’ll take them to the teacher’s lounge. There’s a refrigerator in there,” a voice said behind me. I knew exactly who it was without turning around. I rolled my eyes and sighed inwardly.

“I’ll do it, just tell me where the lounge is,” I said turning around and facing him.

There was a gasp behind me and it was then that I felt the draft. I don’t know how I’d did it, but I had somehow stuck my skirt into my panties. I reached behind me and quickly fixed my skirt. Now every adult within ten feet of me had seen my goodies. Great. I was making a wonderful impression.

“Anything you say,” he said as I turned back to the table, trying to muster a little dignity. I made eye contact with no one. I just pushed the mushy popsicles back into the cooler and marched past the annoying man.

He tried to look contrite, but I wasn’t fooled. He was a prick.

“Need some help?” he asked, walking quickly behind me out of Great Room B.

“I don’t need your help.”

“You sure?”

“Very much so.”

“So, where’s the teacher’s lounge then?”

I stopped dead in my tracks. I had no idea where I was going.

“You have no idea where you’re going, do you?”

“Are you always such a smart ass?”

“Ouch.”

“Just point me in the right direction.”

He fought back a smile and pointed in the direction I had just come from. I didn’t bother to say thank you as I walked back towards the teacher lounge and ran smack into Meredith.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, grabbing me around the waist and squeezing me tight.

I groaned. “Ugh, not so tight.”

“Sorry,” she said with a small grin. I quickly filled her in on the status of her mom and siblings. “Children are so gross. I’m never having any.”

“Agreed,” I said before I could catch myself. We both looked at each other and laughed.

“I’m just happy to see you. Thanks for coming.”