Those Who Wait

Part II

-"OK class, remember your homework for tomorrow; try to read part of the newspaper, write down the words you don't understand and we'll look for them in the dictionary. Bring the part you've been reading, see you tomorrow."-

The blonde teacher smiled at her students and watched them leave her classroom. Francis Wolf; Mrs. Alcott since she married Sam Alcott three years ago, was ready to close her classroom and go home. She stopped to look at her class plans for tomorrow; she loved her job, it was the only thing that made her feel used to capacity; the kids filled her with love and joy in a way no one had done it in a long time.

"Since J"- Francis thought, as she sighed deeply; she longed for the company of her best friend and never understood what had driven her away. She knew that the simple excuse of a 'better job offer' hadn't been enough to make Jo leave her family and friends behind.

But three years had passed, and she was still at a loss to find the reason why Jo had left; she'd had nearly no contact with the raven-haired woman who used to be her confident and friend for the better part of her life.

-"Excuse me, Mrs. Alcott?"- Jane Simmons, the teenage sister of one of her students interrupted the teacher's musings.

-"Hey Jane, come in. How are you?"- Fran smiled at the sight of this girl; she reminded her so much of the person she had been thinking about minutes ago.

-"What can I do for you?"- She noted the nervous demeanor of the girl and wondered what could've been bothering her.

-"I wanted to talk to you, but now I'm not sure...I think it's better if I leave you to your work."- The girl was visibly upset and ready to turn around and leave but Fran had other ideas.

-"What? You wanted to talk to me about something and now you're afraid? I've never taken you for a coward Jane."-It sounded a little harsh but she knew that it was the best way to keep the girl from leaving

"If she is anything at all like J she'd never let a dare pass." -The girl stopped dead in her tracks immediately and turned around just as quickly.

"Gotcha!"- Thought Fran

-"I beg your pardon?"- Asked Jane.

-"I said you've chickened out."- Fran kept her eyes on the girl.

"You're as bad as J was, I'm the master at this girl; you just can't win."

Jane walked back and took a seat in front of the now smiling teacher.

-"You were taunting me, weren't you?"- Jane smiled, understanding what the blonde teacher was doing.

-"Yes, and I nailed you fair and square, now start talking; what's inside that head of yours?"

Fran and Jane had been friends ever since they played together in several competitions at the school field day several months ago. They had won every single challenge and by the end of the day they were an invincible team.

After that day they had got together on various occasions to go to the movies and to eat ice cream. Despite the eight-year age difference between them, they had fun together. Jane was very mature for her age and Francis couldn't help but remember her best friend growing up was a lot like Jane.

-"I need to talk about something that is bothering me but I'm not sure how you are going to take it; it's kind of embarrassing."- Jane was fidgeting in her chair and Fran could feel that she had a serious matter at hand.

-"Listen Jane, we're friends and I have asked you a couple of times to call me Fran instead of Mrs. Alcott. You know you can trust me. I'm not here to judge you. I'll just try to help you if I can, but I'm sure that talking about what has been bothering you will help a lot."- Fran said honestly.