Hear Me

Chapter Two

If Luke Kirkland had to grade one more paper, he was going to rip his hair out. He had a bit of a hangover and a big headache. Go drinking, they said. It’ll be great, they said. Being the youngest teacher there was a bit rough at times. He didn’t have dentures to whine about or a wife to speak of. No kids or nieces and nephews. He had pictures of his parents and friends that were scattered neatly about his office. He had a mug steaming with coffee. The mug was striped in blue and yellow.

The paper he read previously had sat on his desk. Sophie’s paper. He grabbed it and began reading again. Who was she, really? The paper was so vague yet it was definitive.

“You can read it as many times as you want, you won’t understand her.”

He looked up to see Patrick.

“Can I help you?”

“Sophie asked me to pick up her work for her.”

He handed him a red file folder.

“Text book is in there along with our words and the assignment from yesterday.”

“Alright…if you want to get to know her, try taking her out to dinner. Heard she likes sushi.”

Patrick left the room and headed down the hall. Luke sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He was just curious…

Right?

~ ~ ~

Patrick knocked on the door and waited. A man answered the door. Had to be at least 6’1” and he had sandy colored hair, like Sophie.

“Can I help you?”

Nice soft yet slightly deep voice…no. Bad Patrick, bad.

“Just dropping some school stuff off for Sophie. Is she home?”

“Went shopping with our mom half an hour ago. Won’t be back for a while. Come in…who are you, anyways?”

“I’m Patrick, a friend of Sophie’s. You?”

“Sam, her brother.”

Patrick swallowed the lump in his throat as he played with the edge of the red folder he set on the table. When he looked up, Sam was pretty close. Spearmint and coffee.

“Sophie talks about you. A lot. Don’t hurt her or I’ll hurt you, got it?”

He was trying to be intimidating but Patrick was sort of turned on. He had a girlfriend, he shouldn’t be doing this…having these thoughts.

“Right…well…I’ll be going.”

Sam backed away.

“I mean it.”

“I know you…I don’t want to hurt her. She’s a good person.”

Sophie walked in and automatically grinned. She dropped her bags and hugged Patrick who hugged her back. She gave Sam the puppy eyes.

“No. He’s a boy, absolutely not.”

She stuck her bottom lip out.

“No, PhiPhi.”

She removed herself from Patrick and went to go put her things away. The slouched demeanor was enough.

“Fine, cheer up sad sack. Patrick, would you like to stay for dinner?”

“I couldn’t do that. I don’t want to encroach.”

“Sophie hugs you. You’re practically family. You wanna stay or not?”