The Veil by K. T. Richey Read Free Book Online Page B

eyes.
    â€œNo, my eyes are strained from grading all these tests. I’m getting ready to leave in a few minutes though. Can I help you with anything?”
    â€œAs a matter of fact you can. I’m still looking for people to help with the homecoming dance next week. Will you be able to do it? I could really use your help.”
    â€œI don’t have any plans. I guess I can help.”
    â€œGood. I’ll tell the homecoming committee you’ll be there. Try not to stay here too long. It’s the weekend and I’m sure you have plans with that boyfriend of yours; what’s his name?”
    â€œRoger.”
    â€œYeah, Roger, that’s it.”
    â€œNo, we don’t have any plans. Anyway, I’ll be out of here in a few minutes. You have a good weekend, Mr. Davis.”
    She watched as the principal walked out of her classroom. She could hear him talking to the janitor who had started buffing the hallway. The sound of the buffer would not allow her to concentrate on her work. She wasn’t looking forward to the weekend. She didn’t have Roger to spend time with, nor did she have a church to go to or have all the activities being in an active church involved. She didn’t know what she was going to do. At that point, she only wanted to go to the store, curl up with some ice cream, and allow the television to watch her.
    â€œMisha, you still here?” Judy peeped into her room.
    â€œI’m going now. I’m surprised you’re still here.”
    â€œI didn’t want to take any work home with me. My husband and I are going out of town to celebrate his promotion and leaving the kids with my mother. I stayed to grade some papers.”
    â€œMe too.”
    â€œIs anything wrong?”
    â€œNo, nothing’s wrong.”
    â€œYou sure? You don’t look right. You haven’t looked right in a while. You want to talk about it?”
    â€œNo, I’m fine.”
    â€œOkay. Well, if you need someone to talk to I’m just down the hallway. But, if I can’t perk you up, maybe a look at that new soccer coach will do the trick. He’s a cutie. Lord, have mercy. God allowed me to be married for such a time as this. That man is fine and if I weren’t married . . .”
    â€œDon’t say it.”
    â€œYou’re right. We both are happy in our relationships and nothing or no one is going to tear them apart. Right?”
    Misha didn’t respond. She pretended to be focused on packing her bag to leave. Judy looked at her and could see the tears well in Misha’s eyes. Then it came to her. “Oh, I’m sorry. Don’t tell me you two broke up. I’m here running my big mouth. What happened? I thought the two of you were in love.”
    Misha could no longer hold back her tears. She hadn’t talked to anyone about this except her grandmother. She thought Roger would be back by now. Her heart was now hurting so badly she couldn’t breathe. She held her chest and sat down in the chair, trying desperately to catch her breath. She had tried to be strong. Suddenly she felt it all come down on her. Misha was crying so hard it felt like she was sipping air through a straw.
    â€œMisha, are you okay?’
    â€œI don’t understand what happened. I can’t talk about it.” Misha gasped for air as the salty taste of her tears flowed into her mouth.
    â€œBreathe slowly. Take your time. I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Come on, breathe slowly.” Misha couldn’t control the tears that flowed down her face. Judy closed the door and walked to Misha and hugged her. “Do you want to talk about it?” Misha shook her head. “I understand. We won’t talk here. Come on, get yourself together. We don’t want these nosey people all up in your business. Here’s a tissue. I don’t want to be nosey but does this have anything to do with the gift?”
    â€œWhat gift?”
    â€œYou know,