The Teacher

22: WREN

It's been a month since I last saw and heard from Skylar. After his assistant showed up at my house, I knew something would change. I didn't think it would be me being removed from the equation. An equation I shouldn't want to be a part of anyway—too many messy components. Then there are his daughters, Bella and Gabby. They've been as normal as 1st graders would be, but I can sense there has been a change, not with me, but with them.

The sounds of children's laughter and talking pull me from my thoughts, and I'm once again back in teacher mode. Recess is over, and my students line up at the door, their faces flushed with the cold snap of October air and the joy of their brief freedom. I usher them back inside, my mind still wrestling with thoughts of Skylar, but I push them to the back. If he cared even a tad bit, he wouldn't have ghosted me.

"Ms. Wren," Grace runs to my desk after she puts away her coat, her little nose still red from the cold. Texas weather is one tricky thing. First is hot as Satan's lair, and the next is cold like Mr. Frosty. Thankful today, we got a mixture; the kids love going outside for recess, but soon, going outside won't be an option.

"Yes, Grace? Did you have fun during recess?" I ask.

"I did. And Gabby and Bella played with me the whole time." She beams from ear to ear.

"They did? Well, that's great to hear, Grace. Thank you, girls, for being such good friends to each other."

"They said I can even come over to their house now. My mommy won't like it because they said their daddy and mommy are back together. But I can go and play dolls with them." Grace rambles, still smiling from ear to ear, unaware of the bomb she just dropped on me. So, now I know why he ghosted me, why I'm no longer a thought.

It was only sex, Wren; get a grip. I tell myself. Skylar and I weren't in a relationship, but still, knowing that doesn't dull the ache. My heart throbs uncomfortably in my chest. I force a smile for Grace, not wanting my personal turmoil to shadow her innocent joy.

"That sounds like fun, Gracie." I manage to say, keeping my voice steady. "Now, take your seat. We're about to do some fun activities now."

She nods enthusiastically and skips away, leaving me with my spiraling thoughts.

The revelation is that Skylar's wife—is she his wife? Anyway, with her back in the picture, it's not just a minor setback; it's a clear ending. But why does the thought of closure hurt this much?

The school day drags on as I mechanically move through lessons and activities. And I try my hardest not to think of Skylar or his wife, but I catch myself doing it. All this time, I thought his personal assistant was warning me away because she wanted him, but maybe she was keeping women away for the return of the rightful owner of Skylar's heart, his amazing mouth, and huge cock. Those are the two things I miss the most about Skylar. I haven't had sex in a month, and maybe that all needs to change tonight.

The final bell rings, and I help the children gather their things and bundle them up in their coats before retrieving my own. As always, they line up, and we walk outside for pick up. My class parents are usually on time, which makes this process quicker for my class. I wave goodbye to each student and parent while my eyes scan the area for Bella and Gabby's nanny. I don't see her or any of the ones that would pick them up.

A car pulls up in the emergency lane, and I know that car. It's Skylar's, but it's not him who gets out of the car. The wind is knocked out of me because I know who she is. Gabby and Bella favor her more than Skylar—the mother is here, but she isn't carrying the pickup sign, so I won't be releasing them to her.

"Ms. Wren, that's our mommy." Gabby points.

"Your mommy is forgetting the pickup sign," I tell her.

"Look, Daddy is here too," Bella says, and my head snaps back in the direction of the SUV, and he walks around the driver's side. He jogs to catch up to his wife before she approaches.