My Son's Teacher // Short Story

Part 2.0

.// n/o’s pov \.

Ms. Maraj extended her arm out to Drake so they could shake hands. She reached behind her and pulled her chair up to her desk. Once she was organized, she looked up and saw Drake staring off into space, a slight daze, which kind of took her by surprize because Drake struck her as a man that would take command of a room, be in charge.

“Mr. Graham?” Ms. Maraj called out in a polite tone. “Um are we ready to start?“

Shaking himself out of his daze, he immediately whipped his head around and made eye contact with, to him, the most beautiful woman he had laid eyes on since Alyssa, which left him uneasy and feeling guilty.

“I’m so sorry. I’m being so rude and disrespectful today. I am so sorry. I don’t know what it is but I just feel off.” He rambled and partially lied, immediately regretting what he just said. He had just met the woman and now he’s basically telling her how his day went like they knew each other for years.

Ms. Maraj smiled at his gentlemanly behavior. There weren’t many men like him around these days and having met one was refreshing to her.

Sifting through the small pile of student folders she had on her desk, she found and pulled out Devin’s.

“I’m sorry to hear that Mr. Graham, but I have something’s that might make you feel a little better.” She said confidently.

Drake lightly smiled and watched her place three of Devin’s math tests in front of him. First one showed his lowest score when the school year started and the last two showed how he progressed since then. A smile grew on Drake’s face, knowing math was his worst subject and Devin’s, he felt immensely proud of him for his progress and growth.


“Wow this is really amazing! His mother would be so proud!” Drake exclaimed.

“But I have an itty bitty piece of bad news.” Ms. Maraj said in a small baby voice.

She pinched her thumb and index finger together to show how small it was. Drake smiled at her behavior before telling her to proceed.

“Um, over the past week, I’ve been noticing his behavior is changing. He’s usually an outgoing kid, focused, and polite to everyone, but it’s like he flipped a switch.”

“Okay, I think I might know the answer to that. His mother died a few months ago and whenever it gets around the same day she died, he acts out or is not himself.” Drake explained the best and as vague as he could.

He watched her facial expressions go from worried to sad and remorseful.

“Oh I’m sorry! I had n-”

“It’s fine, he’s dealing with it the best he can. I try to get him to talk to me, but he doesn’t want me to think about her and get sad. He’s very much like his mother. Thoughtful.”

“Oh my God, I just- I’m so sorry.”

“No no don’t worry about it, we’re making it. Taking it day by day.”

“Right! Of course! Um we have a counselor here and a social worker, I can try and get him set up with them. Maybe that will help.”

“You would do that?”

“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? Devin is a very bright kid, he has a lot going for him and a ton of potential. I just want to help him in any way I can.” Ms. Maraj spoke with sincerity.

“Okay yeah we can give it a shot.”

“Great!” Nicki exclaimed. “Then we’re all set.”

“Oh okay, thought this would be longer.” Drake said standing up.

Ms. Maraj pushed her chair back before she stood up. She walked around her desk and escorted him to the door of the classroom.

“They’re only long if the kid is bad.”

“Yeah and then the parent flips out and blames the teacher.”

“Yeah how did you know?”

“My wife told me when I got off of work one day about how late her appointment with Devin’s old teacher was and how loud and disrespectful the kids’ mom was.”

“Oh yeah, you wouldn’t believe how wild parent teacher conferences get. Feels like Maury sometimes.” Ms. Maraj joked, making Drake chuckle and flash his million dollar smile, which made Ms. Maraj’s knees go weak.

She knew it was wrong. This was her student’s father who just lost his wife. But she just couldn’t shake the feelings he gave her.

“Yeah.” Drake said, eyeing her up and down, prompting Ms. Maraj blush.

Picked the wrong day to wear a pencil skirt and heels. She voiced in her head.
Standing awkwardly in the doorway, they stared at each other. It was like they were talking with their eyes.

“Ahem.” Another parent cleared their throat, interrupting them.

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.” Ms. Maraj immediately snapped herself from his gaze.

“I’m just going to leave.” Drake mouthed as he started to walk away.

He turned his head around to look in front of him and saw the door frame too late for him to stop himself from hitting his shoulder on him.

“Ooh!” Ms. Maraj uttered.

Drake hurriedly collected himself and before nodding his head at her and leaving.

“Uhm right this way.” Ms. Maraj directed to the parent.

.// drake’s pov \.

My mind was whirling with thoughts and reflections of what happened in there. I shouldn’t be feeling this way! Especially toward my son’s teacher! This is wrong very, very wrong. Why would I do this so close to the same day Alyssa died.  

I reaching the front doors of the elementary school, I walked into the brisk fall weather, giving myself the very needed breath of fresh air.
I need to get myself together. I declared in my head. I sure as hell wasn’t gonna tell Devin this part.

Finally, I arrived at my mom’s apartment to get Devin. He goes to my mom’s everyday after school. He never really got a chance to meet my mom until now since she lived in Toronto and we lived in Atlanta. Too bad it took something like this to get them to meet, but things happen for a reason I guess.

“Hey ma.” I greeted.

“Aubrey, how was the meeting?”

“Great, where’s Devin?” I dismissed.

"Um, I let him play video games since he was done with his homework.”

“Thanks ma.”

“Aubrey is there a problem?”

“No, why would you think there was a problem?”

“You’re being very….short.”

“Im sorry ma, it’s just be a long day.” I half lied.

“Riiiiigggghhhhtt.”

Before she could question me anymore, I went to the living room to snag Devin.

“Yo Dev!”

“Sup Dad, how was the meeting?”

“Fine. You ready?”

“Yeah, but dad what happened?”

“Nothing! Ms. Maraj told me you are getting better in math, but you’re acting out so you’re going to either talk to the school’s counselor or social worker. Now let’s go.”

“Why are you yelling at me?!” Devin screamed back at me and ran to get his bookbag.

“Aubrey!” I heard my mom yell.

“Sorry! Sorry. Rough day! A lot on my mind!”

“Does this have to do with Alyssa?”

“No! It’s just work.”

“I know when you’re lying Aubrey, I’m your mother.”

“What’s with the third degree? Huh? Am I not allowed to have a rough day?”

“Enough! Enough of your funky ass attitude. You may be grown, but don’t think for one second I won’t whoop your ass. Get yourself together.”

“Okay mom, I’m sorry, I was out of line. I just can’t talk about it right now okay?”

“Don’t disrespect me again Aubrey. Are we clear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

~

.// n/o’s pov \.

 Drake and Devin made home, but to Drake’s dismay Devin wouldn’t say a word to him. He parked the car and Devin hopped out as fast as he could and ran up to the door.

“You forgot you don’t have a key, Dev?” Drake joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Devin stood there like a statue. Didn’t speak. Didn’t budge. Drake felt his relationship with his son start to go bad shortly after Alyssa’s passed away. Drake and Devin had a good father son relationship, but Devin was like his Dad. A Mama’s Boy.

Unlocking the door, Devin pushed it and walked inside. He threw his bookbag on the couch before running to his room and slamming the door shut.

“Devin! Open the door!” Drake yelled through the door.

“Devin, I’m sor-” Drake paused as he heard sniffling. “Devin, open the door, I promise I won’t yell.”

He heard Devin’s footsteps come to the door quick. Fiddling with the lock, Devin whipped the door open and ran into his father’s arms.

“I-I-I mmmiss her dad! I w-w-want my mommy ba-a-ack!” Devin sobbed into his father’s stomach.

Hearing his son’s cries, nearly made him cry. He wanted to so badly give Devin all that he wanted and he wanted to make Devin happy again. He tried to do everything in power to do so, but he couldn’t do the one thing, Devin and him both wanted most. Drake stood there and hugged his son as tight as he could and told him it was going to be alright.

But was it?