Page 87 of The Teacher

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We sit on our boards in the middle of the ocean. It’s a busy time of the day to come surfing, we’re surrounded by others paddling out on their boards as well. We’re all waiting for the next set of waves to come.

I skim my hand across the surface of the bobbling ocean, feeling the cold water.

Thinking about the day’s events.

Skipper and I have recounted them all, him explaining why he did what he did. I’ve asked him a billion questions, but one thing’s for sure.

He loves me.

“You never told me about your investigation into Miss Tweed and her stealing the money. Why?” I ask Skipper as he leans back on his board next to me.

“I couldn’t,” Skipper replies. “I didn’t want a conflict of interest. I needed to keep it secret whilst we completed our investigation, even from you.”

“Even from me?”

“I’m sorry to cover it up.”

“You could’ve trusted me.”

“We had to keep it secret.”

“Don’t worry. You did the right thing,” I reply. “You caught her in the act, and that’s what matters.”

“I’m glad it worked out.”

I smile. “Me too.”

“Her face though when I revealed the dirt I had on her, wasn’t that great? I loved that moment.”

“Yeah, it was priceless.”

“I’m glad you got to witness that, after everything she did to you.”

I pause. I want to ask him the question, the question that’s had me nervous all day. The question that’s been on my mind. I need to know his answer. “Skipper, so what happens with you now? Are you going to head back home to America?”

Skipper pauses as well. His eyes flicker, scanning over the horizon. He turns to me and speaks. “I think I’m gonna stay here, if that’s okay with you, Miss Finn.”

Yes.

He leans over and kisses me. I fall into his lips. His reassurance. He tastes of saltwater and a hopeful future.

Skipper Finn is staying in New Water.

It’s everything I’ve ever wanted. This morning I went into school thinking that my love had cheated on me and I was going to get fired from my dream job. I thought it was going to be the worst day of my life, and yet now I’m ending the day knowing my job is secure, surfing with my love, and knowing he’s going to stay with me forever.

Skipper breaks our kiss. “I need to stay. I need to make sure this school my company’s just bought heads back on track after years of mismanagement. And then we’ll probably expand into Australia, buy more schools, so I’ll be needed for that.”

“That’s the only reason you’re staying?”

“Oh, no, it isn’t. Most of all, the love of my life is here, and I’m never going to leave her again.”

I wink at him. “Well, you have been a naughty boy. Maybe you do need some private tutoring.”

“Oh, I’m sure you can arrange that, Miss Finn.”

He doesn’t need to tell me, I already am.