History Lessons by Fiona Wilde Read Free Book Online Page B

your coffee. I don't know what memories make you laugh and which ones make you cry. I only know what I see here, and that is a young woman who comes across as a bit paradoxical - strong yet vulnerable, centered yet seeking, content and yet a bit sad...."
    His voice trailed off and Lucy realized then that speaking the words had made him nearly as uncomfortable as she was in hearing them. She'd not had a man speak to her like this before, and she could tell it was not in his nature to talk to women the way he was talking to her.
    They sat for a moment in awkward silence, with Lucy focusing on the antique inkwell, the books stacked on his shelf, anything to keep from looking at him. And finally, when she could bear it no longer she spoke.
    "Am I in trouble, sir?"
    He sat forward in his chair as if considering his answer. "Not today, Lucy Primm. And I am as glad of that as you are. However, please consider this meeting a reminder of your responsibilities here. You are in a position of authority now, but you must remember it is only an extension of my authority. Act outside of that authority, my dear, and the consequences may be...severe."
    He turned then and looked out the window and for a moment she thought he was going to stay something else. But instead he just stood and beckoned for her to do the same.
    "I think there is nothing more to say," he said. "See you tomorrow?"
    "Yes." It was all she could think to say as she left.
    In her car, Lucy replayed the conversation over and over in her head. What had he been trying to say to her? That he cared for her in some way? She remembered how her heart quickened when he'd offered his personal analysis of her.
    "Weirdo," she said to no one in particular and then paused to wonder just who she considered weird - him or her.
    She was glad to see the preschool finally come into view. Kegan always had a way of driving all other thoughts from her mind. He was waiting for her when he arrived, his hand holding out a little drawing he'd newly done. It showed the two of them on green grass as multi-colored dots rained from the sky.
    "What are those things?" she asked.
    "Gum drops," he replied.
    She hugged him. "That's sweet," she said. "How about we go out for dinner and then some ice cream?"

    * * *

    Lucy awoke far more refreshed the next morning after having enjoyed a good night's sleep. Kegan was in his characteristic sunny mood at breakfast, which boded well for her. Lucy considered her son's moods to be omens.
    She walked into Hartford House that morning brimming with new confidence. Attitude, she told herself, is everything. She could not help that Missy was jealous over her promotion and as much as it hurt decided that if that was the way her friend was going to treat her then maybe she'd misjudged the quality of their relationship. For her part, Lucy planned to do her job. If Missy came around, then so be it. If not that was her choice.
    It didn't take long for Lucy to learn just what choice her friend had made. Morning line up went well, with Lucy reading off the assignments and checking garb for accuracy. Afterwards, when everyone dispersed off to their various tasks, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Missy standing behind her.
    "Hi," Lucy said.
    "Hi..." Missy looked down at the floor for a moment. When she looked up again, ther were tears in her eyes.
    "Look," she said. "I just wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday. I was a total bitch to you, Lucy.."
    "Missy, it's OK. You don't have to..."
    "Yes, I do," her friend persisted. "I owe you this. We've been friends for a long time and I was way, way out of line saying those things to you. I guess I was just jealous but the more I think about it the more I realize it's only fair that you have the job. I mean, you've been here longer, you certainly work harder and you're not the one always planning ways to get out of here eventually. Plus you've got Kegan." She sighed. "If anyone deserves a break, it's you.