“Do you need anything else right now?” I asked Wolf and Jan.
“Did you want to do the metal frames?” Jan asked.
“I think the shop class needs the experience. If it were just a few of us involved, I would vote for easier,” I said.
“I think David’s right,” Ms. Jaroslav decided.
Alan then showed us the app Stacy and he had created. There would be reserved tables in the lunchroom, and someone would host each one. Then people who wanted to join could click on a chair, and the app would book it for them.
“How do we make it fair?” Jan asked.
“What do you mean?” Stacy asked.
“Let’s say, oh, I don’t know, David is a host. We don’t want his friends taking all the slots. The goal is to have everyone meet new people. I could also see that if the tables were the ones near the windows, a group of friends could just host one and everyone join. It would defeat the purpose of what we’re trying to do,” Jan reasoned.
“I guess we could create a database and block you from sitting with the same host each time,” Alan said.
“I’d just have someone else host it each time to get around that,” I said, which caused Alan to scowl.
“You’re right. I would do the same. Let us think about that,” Alan said.
“Did you come up with a low-tech solution for those that don’t have smartphones?” Ms. Jaroslav asked.
Alan rolled his eyes. He’d ignored that request because he thought it was a waste of time.
“We’re working on it,” Stacy offered.
“How about the homeless project?” Ms. Jaroslav asked.
“David and I talked to the director, and he had a good idea: he suggested a GoFundMe website. That way people who don’t have anything to donate can just give money,” Brit said.
“I got a suggestion that we do a onetime event instead of collecting over time. We could get a truck and try to fill it up,” I said.
“Why not a bus?” Alan asked.
“We could make banners and cover the sides,” Stacy said.
“I like the bus idea. That way we don’t have to rent a truck,” Wolf said.
“Let me ask Mr. Palm about the bus,” Ms. Jaroslav said. “When did you want to do the donation drive?”
“I’d think it would need to be a school day,” Brit said.
“We should do it around something at school as well. Like a baseball game, or dance. Maybe people who donate something could get a ticket for an event,” Jan said.
“Most events are free,” I pointed out.
“For a baseball game, we could reserve the best seats for those who donated,” Brit suggested.
She was not going to be deterred. I liked that Brit had found something she was passionate about.
Everyone was happy with what they’d accomplished so far, so we ended the meeting. I stayed to talk to Ms. Jaroslav alone.
“Did you need something?”
“Yes. I plan to give a flower to each girl in school for Valentine’s Day. I was wondering if that would be a problem, and what day would be best.”
“Why would you need permission?” she asked.
“Because there might be press that covers it,” I admitted.
“That rules out Friday. I know several teachers have tests scheduled for that day. Why don’t you plan on Thursday? I’m sure I can get Mr. Palm to sign off on it,” she said.
“Thanks,” I said and left.
◊◊◊
I sent a text to Zoe as I headed to the music practice rooms. She looked nervous as we stepped into the end one.
“This is crazy,” she said. “Did Tracy really let you do her here?”
“I probably shouldn’t have said anything. Let’s just say that I’ve used this particular room before.”
“I didn’t know you played,” she teased.
“C’mere,” I said and pulled her into a kiss.
She broke our kiss, pulled back, and bit her bottom lip.
“What if we get caught?” she whined.
I waggled my eyebrows at her.
“That’s what makes it exciting. Think about a cute freshman boy getting an education as he looks through the window.”
“Oh, my! Someone could see us,” she worried.
“We don’t have much time,” I warned her. “Why don’t you just take off your panties and I’ll do some oral.”
I could see her vacillating, so I took charge. I walked up to her and undid the button and zipper on her jeans. Then I pulled both them and panties to her knees. I spun her around, pushed her across the piano bench, and dropped down and licked her sex.
“This is so wrong,” she moaned.
Poor Zoe was so worked up, it didn’t take her long to get her cookie. I wanted more, but there wasn’t time. She was catching her breath when she turned to look back at me. I waved at the window as if someone was there.
“Ohmygod!” Zoe squawked and had her pants up in record time.
“What about me?” I teased and showed her my bulge.
“Who saw us?” she demanded.
“Uh, no one,” I said hesitantly.
“This was such a bad idea,” she said, and then ran for it.
I just sat on the piano bench and chuckled. I waited a few minutes and then left. A freshman girl was standing there and turned bright red when I came out. Maybe someone did see. She had her flute, so I just smiled.
“The room’s free,” I said as I walked away and then turned back to her. “I hope you don’t feel the need to talk about us.”
The girl shook her head, and I smiled at her. She seemed more embarrassed than Zoe was. I’d only tried to help a friend in need. Oops.
◊◊◊
Before going to batting practice, I sent a text to Caryn that I would hand out flowers on Thursday. She sent me one back telling me that my car was gone. There was another text about my movie’s earnings over the weekend. Kung Fu Panda 3 did $21 million, Hail Caesar $11 million, and we tied with The Revenant and Star Wars: The Force Awakens at $7 million.
Sometimes hitting a ball can be therapeutic. I needed to work out my frustration over having to give my car back. Moose watched me bat again and was my official helper when I ran out of balls. He’d also change the settings so I could hit different pitches. I felt good, and my hour was over before I knew it. I noticed Jim was standing next to Moose. The two of them talked quietly as I began to crush the ball. I was in the zone today.
When the machine stopped, because it was empty again, Jim talked to me.
“Can you watch me bat and give me some tips?” he asked.
“Sure,” I said.
Jim had some bad habits that I’d never really paid attention to before. I talked to him about what I’d been taught. By the time I had to leave to work out with Cassidy, he looked better. I promised to help him.
“Sometimes you’re a good guy,” Moose said as I left.
“And sometimes a jerk,” I shot back.
“Yep, that too,” he said with a smile.
◊◊◊ Wednesday February 10
On the ride to the dojo, I received a call from a Chicago number I didn’t recognize.
“David, it’s Bev Mass.”
“What can I do for you?” I asked.
“I’ve been talking to the Middlesex District Attorney over the last few days. She brought up something that I’m wondering about. How did you get the actual case files from the police department?”
The way she asked it made me nervous.
“Do I need to have Ms. Dixon on this call?” I asked.
I heard her take a deep breath and then slowly let it out.
“David, I’m in an awkward position here. I know you’ve done all this with the best of intentions. If it weren’t for that, I would never have helped you. I sometimes have to remember that this is a favor and not me doing my actual job; it isn’t my responsibility to follow up on. I think the best advice I could give you is to not tell me anything I don’t need to know.
“The flip side is I am what I am. I have to follow the law, even if it goes against my personal feelings. If you understand that, we can work together on this. Just don’t tell me anything I would have to take action on. For now, I’ll assume the files somehow were left in a public setting and copied,” she concluded.