With No Warning (Romance/Inspirational)(Complete)

CHAPTER 6: Calls After Curfew

CHAPTER 6:  Calls After Curfew

With a dejected flutter of papers, Dakota set aside another summary of The Spanish Inquisition without marking a final grade onto the handwritten sheets. How had most of the class missed the fact that Manco Inca was put in place as a puppet ruler? With so many students completely off base on this, it must be a reflection of her teaching on that particular day. There was no sense in even continuing to grade the days work. She would have to go over the lesson again.

       From downstairs, muted voices drifted, and she turned an weary eye to the time. As she rose from her Indian style seating on her bed, her hamstrings achingly reproached her about that days earlier fitness period, led by Kelli. The first story media room was her direct destination, and upon reaching it, with an apologetic but decisive smile, she declared visiting hours over. Like always, the regular crowd affectionately gave her a hard time, and tried to beg, cajole, and plead more time.

       Kevin, one of Bretni’s more steady boyfriends, as usual turned on the impish charm. “Aw come on Ms. Winslow, I’m helping Bretni with the Pythagorean Theorem.”

       “Help her tomorrow.”

       “The test is tomorrow, you want her to get an A don’t you?”

       With a despairing shake of her head over his antics, she turned a fresh grin his way. Kevin was one of the teens she had liked immensely from their first meeting. He seemed to be well rounded, genuine and nice. When he clowned around, as he was doing tonight, it came across as just that, silly. It was not in his nature to be disrespectful with his remarks. “I’m sure she will do just fine.”

       Bretni snapped her book shut with a resounding thunk. “Give it up, there’s only one man who has any influence with her.”

     “Yeah, where is he tonight?!” Kevin’s continued grumbling was good natured as he was gathering his books and pulling on his jacket. “Don’t you need to call him or something?”

       Dakota rolled her eyes. “Get out of here, before I put you on the restricted visitors list.”

       “Ouch.”

       “I told you she was mean.”

       “She’s a warden.”

       Kevin and the other boys were making their exit, their laughter cackling, as the jesting went on. Throwing up her arms in feigned despair, she ordered the girls all to their rooms, mimicking a parental tantrum. As she double checked the automatic lock and alarm, she noticed that Bretni lagged behind.

       “Something on your mind?” Concern tinged her words as Dakota closed a gap in the heavy drapes. Bretni had turned off the television and was standing idly in the middle of the large room sized area rug observing Dakota’s movements.

       As Dakota faced her fully, Bretni ventured, “Nothing really, it’s just-- I’ve really been thinking about what you said, about joining the Christmas Carolers. I guess I may do it.”

       “Bretni, I’m so glad!” After Dakota had talked to her last month about the night singing, it had continued to be on her mind. A couple of weeks later, she had learned about the annual Christmas Caroling that went on the week before Christmas. A group of students, mainly choir, practiced for a month, learning to sing Christmas songs harmoniously, and the week before Christmas, they went house to house caroling an hour or so after dark. It had been an annual tradition for a few years now, she learned. Dakota had approached Bretni, knowing with her beautiful voice she would be an asset to the group, but Bretni had shaken her head declaring, at no surprise to Dakota, that “it wasn’t her thing.” Dakota had known before even asking that going to parties and the festive part of Christmas was more to the girl’s personality type, but the true meaning of the holiday, a celebration of the birth of Christ, was best gleaned through songs of praise and worship. “You will be an inspiration to all that hear you.”