Page 68 of Whiskey & Honey
I notice Jacob is fiddling with something in his lap, and as I lean over to look, he starts giggling.
“You can’t see yet. I have to do the plan.”
“The plan? Jacob, I need to get home soon. Is Mrs. Honeycutt picking you up today?”
Nodding, he finally blesses me with the sweetest smile that I return.
“Well, since I have to leave maybe I can take you up to the office to wait for her. How about that?”
“Nope. That’s not the plan. Hold on,” he says as he slides out of his seat. Taking a deep breath, he looks up at the ceiling.
“I’m membering so just a sec, mmkay?”
“Okay, but I really do need to go, sweetie.”
“Miss Lawrence,” Jacob begins.
It’s obvious he’s memorized something and suddenly running from this place and my own drama isn’t my priority. This sweet boy who has something planned is.
“I think you are the nicest lady ever. My mommy says you are boring. My mommy is silly ‘cause you are super fun and can color really good.”
Felicity thinks I’m boring. That almost seems like a compliment. Surely that wasn’t her intent.
“I want to be a fireman when I grows up so I can protect you from fires. So I made you this,” he tells me as he hands me a picture. Like with most of my students, it takes me a few seconds to process what I’m seeing. It’s a woman who I assume is me being handed a flower by a little boy.
“Thank you, Jacob.”
“Yep. Clem won’t help me drawl a flower so it’s not good but it’s for you. I think you are the prettiest lady and I am sad I am going to the snow and you won’t be there.”
“Aww, Jacob. This is the sweetest gift I’ve received. I think you are going to have a great time with your family next week and just think, when you get back you’ll have all kinds of stories to tell your friends.”
That comment seems to pacify him because he offers me a full smile. I open my arms for a hug and he runs into them. I hear a throat clear and look up to see Mrs. Honeycutt at the door.
“He’s been practicing that speech for a week. Thank you for letting him give it.”
“Jacob, is that true? Did you practice all of that just for me?”
He nods as he pulls away. I smile and brush the hair away from his face. This sweet boy has no idea how much this means to me today. How, in the wake of having my heart broken by the only man who carries the power to do so, his words and kindness have lessened the blow.
A second clearing of a throat catches my attention and I see Ben has joined Mrs. Honeycutt at the door. With his messenger bag slung over his shoulder and his button-up shirt untucked with the sleeves rolled up, a flicker of desire sparks and I almost forget the pain I felt at the deli. Almost.
“Hello, Mrs. Honeycutt. What do we have here?”
“Hello, Mr. Sullivan. Jacob was just giving Miss Lawrence a gift. He’s going to miss her over the upcoming break.” With a whisper she continues, “I think our Jacob is a bit smitten with Miss Lawrence.”
“I know the feeling,” is mumbled in response. If Mrs. Honeycutt heard it, she didn’t respond.
“Jacob, let’s go. I’m sure Mr. Sullivan and Miss Lawrence have places to be.”
“Thank you again for my gift, Jacob. Have a wonderful time on your trip and I’ll see you when we get back.”’
“Okay,” Jacob responds as he places one of his tiny hands on mine. “Don’t miss me, okay, Miss Lawrence?”
Laughing for the first time all afternoon, I agree. Jacob leaves with Mrs. Honeycutt and the tension in the room is thick as I move to my desk and gather my things. My hands are shaking and I just want to get out of here. I turn to head for the door and walk right into Ben.
“Whoa, where’s the fire?”
“I need to get home.”