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ChapterOne
Beau
“Patty, I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
The Language Arts team leader of Dauterive High School is not happy.
And she hasn’t even met me yet.
Clearly, she’s upset with the principal’s choice in staffing. That would be me: I’m the newest English teacher.
And I’m sweating like a pig in this tweed jacket I picked out in hopes that the department would take me seriously. I see now that was a wrong choice for summertime in my Texas hometown. Thing is, I wasn’t expecting this job to pop up when I came home to Dauterive to help my mom sort through my grandparents’ estate.
All the tailored suits I wore for appearances with the Dallas Cowboys are at my condo in the city. I came here with a duffle bag full of shorts and shit. Not teacher clothes. But since my injury forced me to retire, I’ve been looking for a plan B.
Not because I need the money. I just hate being idle. I’m not into making appearances or becoming a talk show host. And, shit, if there ain’t enough sports commentators out there already, I’ll start putting ketchup on my burgers. Which tastes like ass, in case you didn’t know.
So, my dead granddad’s tweed jacket was the best I could do in a pinch.
“Ms. Maleczech, you said you needed another English teacher on your team. And you were the first to complain at the school board meeting that the football program always seems to have plenty of coaches, no matter the size of the overall staff budget. Well, now you’ve got what you wanted. I don’t see the problem.”
Did she say, Maleczech? I must have misheard. It can’t be her…can it? A dozen families around here have that name…it’s probably not her.
As I wait in the hallway, I notice how little has changed about this school. This chair, for instance. My ass was much smaller the last time I was waiting outside the office. The institutional green plaster still peels above the bank of lockers outside the principal’s office as the aroma of sweat socks permeates the air.
I’m technically the new varsity football coach, and my plate is full with this flailing athletic program in my hometown. But because the budget is so tight here, I’ve been hired with the understanding that I’ll also have to teach classes when I’m not coaching. Not thrilled about dividing my time, but I intend to make the best of it.
“Beau Fontaine is a consolation prize.”
I stifle a laugh as I eavesdrop, picking lint off my tweed jacket. Most people, when they hear the name Beau Fontaine, ask if they can see one of my Super Bowl rings. Not that I’m bragging, but that’s my life now. It’s weirdly refreshing that I’m going to meet someone who is not least impressed by me. I had at least hoped to be taken seriously in this role, but maybe that was too much to hope for.
This Ms. Maleczech will calm down once she sees the elbow patches. That’s intellectual as fuck right there.
Something is nagging at me about that voice. Maybe itisher.
If memory serves, a student named Mary Maleczech tutored me in this same school back in the day. In English, too.
Mary was a mega nerd and freaking adorable in her messy bun, big glasses, bulky sweaters, and Chuck Taylors. I was the varsity football team captain; if she had not helped me get my grades up, I would have been yanked from that spot. I have her to thank for the Dauterive Eagles winning state that year.
But I never had the chance to thank her. I was ready to ask her to prom when Mary up and disappeared. Nobody I asked about her knew anything. She was just…gone.
And I spent the rest of that school year kicking myself for not asking her out sooner.
“Beau is not a consolation prize. He did graduate from A&M with an actual degree. His teaching certificate is pending,” Patty, the principal, corrects.
“Fine, but this better not be a publicity stunt. I’m not putting up with cameras or celebrity nonsense.”
“I assure you, he’s earnest about wanting to work,” Patty says.
My forehead is dripping sweat. This was supposed to be a quick orientation with the English department chair, but now I see I’ve walked into a hornet’s nest.
ChapterTwo
Mary
I smooth down the front of my summer skirt and adjust my glasses. Here goes nothing.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous about seeing Beau. We’ve met before. Fifteen years ago, to be exact.
