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The vibrations of the ringing phone chime didn’t
sit well with Kylee. It went for two, three, and now four rising digitized bell tones. After the fifth ring, his voicemail came on.
“Hey, Ron. It’s Kylee. Again. I know I’m calling during school hours.” She looked over at the clock on her desk which told her it was after 3 pm.
She’d started these calls the first thing in the morning, the first at 9 am when she assumed he might be at his desk and able to talk for a second. But she’d gotten to the fifth bell on that first call. Then again at lunch. And now again.
“Well, it’s after school now,” she said into the receiver. “But if you could find a moment to call, I really need to talk to you about something. Okay. Bye.”
She clicked off. Ron hadn’t called or texted all day. It was unlike him.
Back in high school, he was always responsive. She didn’t think any of her calls to him had gotten past the second ring. He’d never left a text message unanswered for more than fifteen minutes. Another batch of clues that she’d missed that her best friend had had feelings for her.
She wouldn’t miss any more clues. She wouldn’t miss any more chances. And she would be sure to not keep any secrets. She needed to tell Ron that Jason was back in town. She just didn’t want to leave a voicemail about her ex sleeping on her couch last night.
Kylee had left Jason there this morning, on that same couch that she and Ron had shared their first kiss. She’d been too tired to fight with her ex. It was easier to deal with Molly’s Terrible Two Tantrums than to convince, cajole, or command Jason to do anything he didn’t want to do.
Kylee knew what she had to do to get him moving. She had to figure out what he needed, what he was there for. It certainly wasn’t to see her. She doubted it was to spend time with his daughter.
More than likely, Jason was out of money and needed more. He had not been the best provider during their marriage. Kylee had had to work many an odd job as she struggled to raise Molly, attend school part-time, and keep up a household with a big baby constantly plopped down in front of the television watching cartoons.
She really didn’t have any extra money to loan to him and never get paid back. But if it would get him gone and off her couch so that she and Ron could occupy it again, then she’d stop by the bank before going home.
It was almost quitting time. Just another ninety minutes to go before she could walk out the doors, scoop Molly from the after-school program, and try to find Ron in the flesh. Maybe she could sneak out a few minutes early? Her work was done. All she was waiting on was to hear who the school system had chosen to lead their test prep program.
Kylee knew that she’d done her best work with the pitch packet for Thrive. Someone in the office had gotten their hands on Here 2 Learn’s pitch packet. It was a sham, filled with vague questions, errors in the answers, and outdated material. If Kylee were just a parent and not a competitor, she’d be the first in line at the Board of Education if that company was picked to prepare her daughter for a major test.
She had every confidence that Ron would see that. There was no need for any angle. It was all very straightforward. Thrive was the clear choice for success for the kids. And when Thrive was chosen, Kylee would be moving on up in the office.
She’d have a place at the post-secondary prep table. She’d have a new boyfriend who was respected and who respected her. And she’d be able to give Molly the financial and family-life stability that she’d had when she grew up. It was all falling into place.
“I hear that Barton Elementary is leaning towards our company,” said Anthony. His man bun was sloppily drooping down to his neck today. For once, his eyes were on her and not on his device. “Good work, Bauer.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking in his praise. “I worked really hard on the pitch and the assessment questions.”
Anthony leaned forward, his brows pressed together as though whispering about a conspiracy. “From what I hear that elementary school principal was quite impressed by you if you know what I mean.”
Kylee crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back so that she was not included in this contrived plot. “Principal Kidd was impressed by my work.”
“Sure. That’s why he came over to your house twice in the last week. Way to use what was in your test bank.” Anthony chuckled at his lame joke.
Before Kylee could set him straight, his head was back down, eyes glued to his device. She wished it was professional to throw pencils at work. But it wasn’t. So instead, she stuck her tongue out at Anthony’s retreating back and drooping bun.
When she turned back to her desk, she noted in her peripheral vision that there was someone standing beside her desk. The man was tall with a head of gray hair.
Great. Her boss had heard the whole exchange. But when she turned fully to address the man who could make or break her, she was met with a wall of Ron.
Her first instinct was to stand and throw her arms around him. But she stayed in her seat. Something in the set of his jaw told her she wouldn't find that warm, soft place she’d cuddled into last night.
“Hey,” she said.
“Hey.”
No warmth in his voice either. His bright eyes were clouded over. His arms crossed over his chest, causing his suit jacket to tug tight over his muscles.
“Is it true?” he asked.
Oh no. He knew about Jason. She wasn’t sure how, but she was sure of it.
