Simple Man

- THIRTYTWO -

   Kyra felt numb as she walked hand in hand with Iyana passing the big oak tree as they headed back toward the car. Until the sensation was replaced with a dread that flooded her brain at the sound of Mrs. Tripp calling out to Iyana and her, "Miss Breault! Wait! Miss Breault!"

  Iyana stopped and turned around, letting go of Kyra's hand, "Mrs. Tripp, if this is about Liv's outburst Friday I am sorry. I had a stern talk with her about it and I promise she won't do it again."

"Yes, Mrs. Tripp, I'm really sorry."

   Kyra tried to look remorseful when all she really wanted to do was cut her eyes and Mrs. Tripp grimaced, "I'm afraid it's not that simple, her outburst was in front of the entire class and then she ran off school property; I had to report it to the Principle Wilhelm. He suggested a three-day suspension but I offered up another solution with your consent."

   Kyra and Iyana didn't say anything and Mrs. Tripp awkwardly continued, "Alright, um, so instead of a three-day suspension I suggested three-day after school detention."

"What's the catch?" Iyana asked, her arms crossing and her lips pursed.

   Mrs. Tripp sheepishly replied, "That you consent to participating in the Win-a-Date Raffle. It helps the church raise money for Fright Fest this year and we had someone drop out late so I'm kind of...desperate..."

"No. No, I'm sorry. I can't." Iyana replied, almost turning around.

"Iy- Aunt Meghan! Seriously? You know suspension looks worse on my record than detention—c'mon."

   Iyana stared at Kyra pointedly for half a minute, but Kyra stared defiantly back. They both knew Kyra was going to school under a false name and that this wouldn't be on any real record that mattered. It still looked odd that Iyana who was suppose to be her aunt would let her niece bite it with a three-day suspension—even if in reality Kyra wouldn't mind three days off from school. Kyra also knew that Iyana was afraid because Rowan had just asked her out the night on a date the night before and she shot him down. Her reasons were valid but Kyra despite being a tomboy was a hopeless romantic deep down and she had a plan.

   Iyana looked pained before she sighed, "Alright. I'll do it..."

   "Oh thank you!" Mrs. Tripp said, clapping and reflexively went in to hug Iyana, Iyana backed away slightly and Kyra's teacher got the hint—don't push it. She quickly put her arms back down to her side and held her hand in her other, looking a little embarrassed.

   Mrs. Tripp started talking about what Iyana was to expect in the following days. The photo shoot, the flyers, the venue and the attire. Kyra nearly burst out laughing when Mrs. Tripp mentioned a gown and Iyana eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her skull. She knew at that point Iyana wanted out of the conversation by any means necessary and as if by some divine intervention Kyra caught sight of Gabriel and his grandmother exiting the church, both of them taking turns shaking Pastor Tripp's hand before Gabriel helped her down the steps—he had a slight limp but still managed. "Meghan, look! There's Gabriel! We should really see how he's doing and thank his grandma for those yummy empanadas!" 

   This wasn't a lie. They did need to see after him and thank them for the food but it was still a more than welcomed excuse to leave Mrs. Tripp there alone by the oak tree, "Of course. I best get back to my husband anyhow but let me give you my number." Mrs. Tripp said as she grabbed her clutch from underneath her armpit and rifled through it for a pen and scratch paper.

   She quickly wrote it down on the back of a receipt, "I'm sure you already know the school number and that you can get transferred to me anytime but here's my home phone in case you have any questions after school hours. Thank you so much Miss Breault, I do so appreciate it." She smiled at Iyana warmly before dropping her smile slightly to address Kyra, "As for you Liv, your detention will start tomorrow after school. If you miss it then we will keep adding days."

"Trust me. She won't miss it." Iyana assured her as she forcibly steered the little girl toward her friend and his grandmother.

"Ow, Iyana, my arm..." Kyra said quietly before Gabriel noticed them coming and stopping himself and his grandmother in the middle of the crowd. His thick eyebrows shot up and his face broke out into a boyish smile, "Hi Liv! How's the arm?"

"Hey Gabriel! It's sore but its more annoying than painful. How's the leg?" Kyra asked.

Gabriel chuckled as he bashfully scratched the back of his head, "To be honest, more than sore but I'll survive."

"Qué dijo ella? Como es ella?"

Gabriel to his grandmother in Spanish and she nodded, smiling at both Kyra and Iyana, "Bien, muy bien... ahora como les gustaron mis empanadas?"

Kyra heard empanadas and quickly said, "Muy deliciosa! Gracias!"

Gabriel's grandmother laughed, "No es nada mi angel, cualquier momento!"

Gabriel smiled, "She said it's nothing my angel, anytime."

"Still... gracias. They were very good and much appreciated after a day like yesterday." Iyana said.

Gabriel translated Iyana's words to his grandmother and she said something to him and urge him to translate, "She said there's plenty more at home, she made rice, yuca, fried plantains, and seasoned pork if you all want to join us for lunch."

Kyra simultaneously said yes as Iyana said no. Kyra looked at Iyana with pleading eyes, Iyana just rolled hers but Kyra understood that was the best she was going to get at a yes. She was hungry but she also didn't object to spending more time around Gabriel when she enthusiastically gave their final answer, "We'd love to join you both for lunch! Thank you!"

Gabriel started to translate but his grandmother stopped him, understanding just from Kyra's tone what the answer was. She smiled, "Entonces nos veremos en nuestra casa!"

Gabriel repeated her but in English, "Then we'll meet you back at our house!"

He nodded at both Iyana and Kyra but his brown eyes locked on Kyra's for a second longer, or aleast Kyra hoped they did. He and his grandmother walked away from them toward Kenny's green pickup.

"Okay, see you in a few!" Kyra said as she watched Kenny and Gabriel assist his grandmother into the truck, sitting her near the door with Willow already seated in the middle. Gabriel pulled himself up in the truck bed, swing his good leg over to get in and Iyana touched Kyra's shoulder to get her attention since they needed to start heading that way themselves, "You are too young to be thinking about boys, you know?"

   Kyra looked back and watched the green pick-up truck drive off. Gabriel waved at her and she waved back, "Not boys, Iyana. Just a boy, just one..." Kyra said quietly.