Sorting Through Life's Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 3

"What do you mean you told him no?" Shawna stared, aghast, at Maeve.

"Geeze, girl, chill. It's not like I killed his dog or something. There is nothing wrong with telling a man he can't take you out."

Shawna laughed wryly, "It's the fact that you used a Shakespeare reference to do it. You do realize who you turned down, right?" Can't fault the woman for being a little star truck, Maeve thought to herself.

"I turned down Tom. I'm sure he will find someone much more willing to adore him while he's here. Besides, I don't think I should get involved with anyone."

"Because of what happened or because you're scared of yourself?"

"That's no ones' business but my own. Now help me get this over to the school." Maeve handed a large basket to her friend and grabbed a second one herself. She had made some treats for the kids and thought they would be nice during story time.

The children swarmed her as she entered the larger hut, not being able to suppress her smile at their excitement. She had promised to finish the story today and she could tell that they had worked on more lessons ahead of time to give her a longer reading time. Shawna snuck past behind her, sneaking past the large huddle of children distracting her friend. She gave a wink to the man who had followed her and left.

"Let me help with that, Darling. It must be heavy by now," Tom took the basket from a flustered Maeve as she returned hugs and struggled to ignore him at the same time.

"I missed all of you, too. Are you ready to finish our book today?" The children shouted 'yes' and went to sit down on the rug that she always shuffled them all to so that she could face them all. "Now let's see, ah yes here we are."

The children sat in rapt attention as Tom watched her read, of all things, Othello, to the young minds. She did so, beautifully and he could see the love for the Genre on her face. While he had often thought himself unmatched it seemed that he was wrong.

"What can we learn from the events of Othello?" Say what now? She is teaching with it? Several children raised their hands and some just prattled off answers in rapid French which he translated so she could answer back. Never had he thought to do this while he had been here before. He always felt quite proud that he was working with Unicef, but never had he thought about the need for longer stays, more involvement with the people he briefly met. Perhaps it's time to change some things, he mused. After they left, he tried to start a conversation but received silence.

"You know, even Beatrice responded to Benedic." Maeve turned towards him and gave a stern look. "We can look it up if you like."

"Against my will, I am bid you-come in to dinner." She turned and stomped off.

"You know, I think I can help with this problem you have with my friend." Shawna's voice caused him to jump a bit.

"That is kind of you to offer, but I think it might be best if I proceed on my own. Do you know where Charlie is?"

"In his office. What's up?"

"I need to extend my stay."

"That wouldn't have anything to do with a certain flaxen haired, hot tempered cook would it?"

Tom cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his head as he moved towards the office, not answering her as she laughed. "Let me know how I can help later." She called as he opened the door.

"You can't be serious! I am not going to chaperone a grown man around the service compound."

"You're the only one that has even half the time open in a day to be able to do it. His stay has been extended for the rest of the month. He needs to be able to give full accounts of what is going on in this area and the aid we have been able to provide. You bounce between enough that you are the best person for him to learn this from. You don't get a choice in this one, Maeve."

Her shoulders dropped in defeat. She now had Tom Velcro-ed to her ass for the foreseeable future.