𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜 (𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎)

𝐢.

𝐢.

March 2024

"Come on, Dad, we can't be late for the teacher-parent conference with Miss Honey," Joelle said as she and Joe stepped out of the car.

Joe shook his head at his daughter's excitement to see her favorite teacher, Miss Honey, whose real name he didn't know since Joelle only called her by her nickname. However, he was aware Miss Honey was an exceptional teacher often likened to a Disney princess for her kindness.

"Relax, Jojo, we're actually on time," Joe said as he locked the car.

"No, we're late," Joelle corrected him, lightly jogging to the entrance. "I promised Miss Honey I would help her set up her table for tonight," Joelle told him.

After walking up to the large glass doors of the high school, they entered the building and greeted the receptionist and security guards before signing the visitor log and receiving a pass.

"Come on, Miss Honey is waiting on us," Joelle said as she rushed down the hallway and up the stairs to the second floor where Miss Honey's classroom is located.

Joe took his time going up the stairs. By the time he reached Miss Honey's classroom, he spotted Joelle hugging the woman, whose back was turned to him, chatting about the table. "Dad, come meet Miss Honey," Joelle shouted, looking at Joe.

Joe smiled to himself watching them. "I'm coming no need to shout, Jojo," Joe said, loudly.

"No need to rush your father, Joelle," Rue also known as Miss Honey told Joelle as she turned toward Joe's approaching figure.

"Rue," Joe said, barely audible as he came face to face with the woman who had been on his mind for months now. "Rue, you're Miss Honey?" He questions, making sure his mind isn't playing tricks on him.

Rue nodded. "Yes, Joe, I'm Miss Honey," Rue said.

"Miss Honey, how do you know my dad?" Joelle asked, looking between the two adults in confusion.

"We went to high school together," Rue answered.

"No way! Dad, why didn't you tell me you knew Miss Honey in high school?" Joelle asked as she tugged at his hand.

"Because I didn't know Miss Honey was Rue, you never say her real name," Joe answered.

Rue smiled. "Of course, you wouldn't know. The kids call me by my nickname, I'm not even sure if they know my real name," Rue said, laughing.

"How have you been?" Joe asked Rue.

"I've been good, how are you, Mr. Anoa'i?" Rue replied as a co-worker walked by. Rue didn't want anyone in her business around here. They talked too damn much. "Come on in," Rue said, opening her classroom door.

"Do you have everything for the table?" Joelle asked as they entered the classroom.

Rue nodded. "Everything is here, go crazy," Rue answered Joelle.

Rue walked over to her desk as Joelle began decorating Rue's presentation desk for the teacher-parent conference. Joe walked over to Rue and crossed his arms over his chest.

"How come I didn't know you were teaching Joelle? Did you know she was my daughter? Why didn't you tell me when I saw you at the reunion?" Joe asked several questions as Rue shook her head, sighing.

"Because you never had to interact with me during the past teacher-parent conferences. Yes, I did know she was your daughter, especially with that last name of yours. And I didn't want you to do this," Rue answered as she waved her hand at Joe.

"Do what?" Joe asked.

"Make it your mission to bother me," Rue replied.

They hadn't seen each other in twenty years. The high school reunion was the first time they had been in the same room since they broke up over that false rumor. When he apologized to her, he was hoping she would allow him to be a part of her life but it seemed like she was still holding a grudge and she had the right to but maybe he had been too much for her.

"I'm sorry, I just want to make up for the past," Joe said as he pulled over a chair next to her to sit down.

"Joe, you don't have to make up anything, I accepted your apology and that's that," She said as she sorted the classwork on her desk.

"But I want to," He said.

Rue looked at him. "Why?" She asked him as she studied his face.

Joe stared at her sparkling brown eyes that he had fallen in love with back in high school. "Because I want you back in my life. You don't think I know you hang out with the gang without me around, it shouldn't be like that, Rue, we should be able to be in the same room together without you running from me," He explained to her.

"First of all, I'm not running from you. Second of all, you don't want me back in your life. You just feel guilty. And you need to let it go, move on, Joe," She said.

"Why are you being so hard with me?" He asked.

"You made me this way," She told him.