Homecoming Proposal: Book One

Chapter 3 - Lost Joy

Tim pondered Maria's comment while waiting to check out. Had Carmen lost her husband? He turned to Bradley. "I wish I could take that sadness away from her. I'd make sure she never cried again. I couldn't do it back then, yet I can't do it now, either. She's gone through so much."

Bradley nodded. "I remember her bubbly personality. Until you mentioned it, I forgot there was a point when things changed. The spark in her eyes disappeared, and she stopped smiling. Think something at prom caused it or her brother?"

"I have no clue what triggered her. I know nearly losing her scholarship shook her enough to get refocused, but it didn't feel like she was the same." Tim paused a moment. "She told me a little of her life because I was one of her teachers, but I had figured you guys knew more."

***

Tim's memory

I looked forward to getting to school early. Carmen was often already there and answering phones in the office before the first period, even before her allotted time. I would swing by and see how she was doing. Given an opportunity, I dropped a doodle with a good morning or a joke in front of her. I liked to imagine greeting her the way I wanted, but I knew that was a forbidden thing. She was a junior, ten years younger than my 27 years.

As I walked by the reception desk, I caught a glimpse of her outfit that morning. She had on a long, white, gauzy skirt wrapping around her sun-bronzed skin. The peasant blouse's embroidery was a riot of royal colors over a white background. I fantasized the school's dress code allowed the blouse to uncover her shoulders.

I tried to avoid staring. "Good morning, Carmen."

"Morning, Coach!" Her cheerful greeting was too much. There always seemed to be laughter behind the sing-song lilt. Carmen's joy was infectious first thing in the mornings. She was always polite, though I suspected she hid a wild streak.

I dropped my latest drawing in front of her. I had to be subtle to prevent others from suspecting I was interested in her as more than a student.

She glanced at the goofy muscle car drawing and grinned.

I walked by, tugging at the long braid dangling over the back of her chair. "How does this never get caught in things?"

"Being hard-headed, it doesn't bother me too much. The only time it does is when someone pulls it too hard intentionally."

I immediately had visions of yanking her braid and pulling her into my lap. Yep, dangerous waters here, Coach! Time to stop by the staff break room and readjust my thinking before heading into class. "Have a good day! See you at practice this afternoon."

"Ok. Later!" She spun back around in her chair to answer another phone call, distracting me enough to walk away relatively unscathed.

***

The guys finished paying Maria and left the cafe. Chaz and Jim had to get home to their wives and kids after a longer than usual monthly breakfast. The rest departed for parts unknown among a chorus of goodbyes. Aidan hung back and chatted with Maria after everyone else left.

"It sounded like a packed house there," she said. "Aidan, can I have her number?"

He nodded, knowing the two women probably needed to reconnect more than ever. He sent her Carmen's contact information. "I'll give her a heads up to expect your call."

"Thanks."

"I still have a hard time knowing you, nor Cora, had much contact either. Any idea what happened with her and Joe?"