Teaching Elementary, My Dear Watson

1 - New Jobs

1

New Jobs

Sunday, September 4, 1977

The one-bedroom apartment was an inexpensive off-white box, one of millions in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. There was a poster of the Beatles, some used furniture, and a few quality wedding gifts.

The woman in bed improved the decor. Kevin Watson gazed at his wife of two years. She seemed so peaceful while asleep, just like he felt, with all as it should be. Monica Carr Watson had slipped in late Saturday after working at the "Now" fashion store in the local mall. As an assistant manager, she had to work long hours over the busy Labor Day weekend. Her thick, dark auburn hair hung loose, contrasting with her pale white skin.

The night was hot, so they slept without covers, and her sheer cream satin nightgown clung to her slender body. He inhaled her light jasmine scent. She was 5'9", with long legs and a narrow waist. He smiled, admiring her like a patron in an art gallery.

Monica, I love you. You're my soulmate.

He silently got up to use the restroom.

Kevin checked his blue eyes in the mirror. He was 6'4",nearly 200 pounds, lean and tan from outdoor tennis and basketball. At 27, he was five years older than Monica. They had met three years before at a local tennis club and married a year later. She left the home of her widowed Mom, a dean at a local college.

I won the lottery.

He shrugged off the heat and climbed back into bed. She stirred, then smiled sleepily. "Mmmmm. My darling Kevin, I had the best dream. Let me show you." She lifted off her gown, held his gaze as if a hypnotist, reached for him, and put her vision into action. He stopped thinking.

Afterward, they showered together, got dressed, then Kevin played some Beach Boys on the turntable. He swayed to the music while he created omelets. Monica made coffee, toasted English muffins, and set the table. They ate breakfast slowly, then sat with their mugs.

"Um, is that a new dress? It's beautiful but looks expensive." Her green form-fitting outfit combined business and elegance, looking more like it was for work than the casual Sunday at home they'd planned.

"You always worry about money. The store doesn't charge me for loaners. I borrow them with their permission. Couldn't afford my wardrobe otherwise. Got to dress fashionably to impress staff and customers."

"Well, you look wonderful. Glad there's nothing to worry about."

"Kevin, I have some news." Her hazel eyes turned serious.

'What is it?"

"I just got a job offer to become the manager at the Seashore Mall store."

"That's wonderful! Congratulations. They couldn't pick a more capable person. But what about graduate school?" Monica had been accepted into a psychology M.A. program, the next step toward a doctoral degree.

"I've decided that right now I want to work. This is a great opportunity. I can finish school later."

He paused, then said, "If that's what you want. Whatever's best for you is best for us."

"Sweetheart, do you want to move to the beach?"

"Oh? Well, this is a surprise. A good one, I suppose, but let me just wrap my head around it." Kevin paused and took a breath as he collected his thoughts. "I remember Seashore Mall from taking you there to a meeting a month ago. So your new store is about an hour away on the freeway. I just signed my teaching contract. I'd be willing to move halfway to commute."