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They were stable now. There would be no more moving now that she was back in her hometown of Adalia, which was just to the north of Cordoba’s capital city. Here, bike paths lined every two-lane street and recreational areas for the young and young at heart were at every corner. Kylee was determined to give Molly the same kind of upbringing that she’d had, right down to the small cottage sized castle fit for a disinherited prince. The two story house even had a couple of turrets atop the roof.
Unlike her own parents, when Molly entered the dating years, Kylee was going to scrutinize every guy that came along. If he wore a motorcycle jacket, was in a band, or any other cliché that bad boys cloaked themselves in to trick good girls, Kylee was going to kick his little booty to the curb so fast.
Molly would be a good girl. And there would be no James Dean wannabes hanging around her daughter. There would not be a repeat mistake of that. In fact, Kylee was certain she would never date again herself.
Chapter Two
The day had been cloudy, but as Ron stepped out of the cafeteria, the clouds broke, and the sun came out. A blue jay perched on the cherry blossom tree outside the doorway to the lunchroom and began a sweet tune. Ron hummed along, pursing his lips in time to the tweets.
Kylee Bauer was back in town.
“Principal Kidd, someone stuffed a Harry Potter book in the toilet in the bathroom in the upper hall. There’s water all over the place.”
“Cool. That’s good,” Ron said patting the head janitor on his back.
Not only was Kylee Bauer back in town, but she was minus a wannabe James Dean husband. Ron had never liked Jason Romano and his ultra gelled hair, and his misquoting of Lord Byron love poems, or his motorcycle jacket and motorcycle, and did he mention the gelled, black hair.
Back when they were in high school, Jason would rev his motorcycle engine loud in the school parking lot to make sure everyone knew he had arrived. Ron and Kylee used to roll their eyes at the delinquent as he went out with cheerleaders and popular girls and even a couple of teachers. Kylee had always said she’d never fall for a guy like that.
And then she did.
“We just had two more violin bridges break. The piano needs another tuning, plus some keys are stuck and one pedal isn’t working. And I just found a hole in the drum this morning.”
Ron nodded in earnest as Ms. Dawsey, the school music and choral instructor droned on and on, trailing him down the hall.
Ron had been crushed the day Kylee had started dating Jason. Ron Kidd and Kylee Bauer had been best friends since elementary school when he’d loaned her a Number 2 pencil and she’d loaned him a pencil top eraser. He’d been in love since that day.
The two had been inseparable during middle school, and high school. Except for the second half of senior year when Jason had set his sights on Kylee.
At the start of Senior year, Ron had finally drummed up the courage to ask Kylee out. But on the very day he’d planned to make his move, he’d found Kylee standing next to Jason who was sitting on his motorcycle. She’d leaned in and kissed him, and Ron’s entire world came to a crashing halt.
It was so cliché. Good girl and bad boy. It was something out of one of those American filmmaker John Hughes movie.
Ron hated John Hughes movies. The good girl always got the guy, but it was always the wrong guy. Everyone knew Ducky was the better choice. And the Geek in Sixteen Candles would grow up to be a better provider. Same for The Breakfast Club.
In fact, wasn’t the geek the same actor in both of those films? In any case, all Ron knew was that both the jock and the delinquent were likely working dead-end jobs, but the geek had likely built an empire now.
Kylee had agreed with him in his reviews of John Hughes’ films, though she made him watch them all at least twice a year since middle school. At least she’d said she had agreed with him back then. But most girls he knew wanted the jock, the delinquent, the bad boy. No one ever dated the principal.
“Hey, Ronnie.”
The sultry voice was out of place in an elementary school filled with energetic adolescent voices and enthused educators. Ron looked up to see Iman Hilson. Iman was another throwback to his high school days. But back then he was beneath the notice of the Head Cheerleader, Prom Queen, Most Popular Girl in School. But after her glory days, Iman divorced the soccer phenom, who didn’t turn pro after college. Now she was hot for a teacher.
“Little Ricky is having problems with math,” Iman said, siding up to Ron in her low-cut blouse and high slit skirt. “I was wondering if you could come over and tutor him tonight. I remember you used to tutor me in high school.”
“We have a number of great tutors in the after-school program,” said Ron stepping around her. But he didn’t get far. Even though she was wearing six-inch heels.
“I think a little one-on-one would be best for my kid. You always say you want to do what’s best for the kids.”
“I do say that,” Ron agreed as he maneuvered them towards the main entrance. Most days his focus was on the inner workings of the school, but today he was focused on what was coming into the school. “I will do what’s best for Ricky, Jr. I’ll arrange that after-school tutor and I’ll be sure and check on his progress myself.”
Ron knew for a fact that, despite the dysfunction in his home, Ricky, Jr. was an excellent student. The fourth grader was attentive, eager to please, though hopelessly un-athletic.
“I just stopped in to drop off the new pitch packet from Here 2 Learn,” said Iman. “I know it’s a formality as Barton Elementary has been a loyal customer for the last five years.”
“I’ve told your boss that we are looking at other options,” said Ron.
“Can’t we talk about this over a glass of wine later tonight?”
