The Blender’s Bargain – Chapter 2

Garrick

The teacher’s lounge is blissfully quiet, most of the staff and students having left for the weekend. I sip a cup of coffee, tapping notes on a report on my tablet. Though I don’t mind the chaos of the classroom, the silence of the empty school is a relief.

Teaching fifth grade literature is rewarding, but draining, constant work. There are few greater joys than seeing students engrossed in a story, their imaginations awakened by the power of the written word. But for every student who discovers a new favorite book, there are three more notes to write, assignments to grade, lessons to plan.

Still, I can’t imagine doing anything else. The students who pass through my door each year become an extended family of sorts. Every time a child’s eyes light up with wonder at some new discovery within the pages of a book, I’m reminded of why I was meant to be a teacher.

The lounge door swings open, and in walks Archie, dropping into a chair at my table with an exhausted sigh. I set aside my tablet and take in every familiar detail, from her thick dark hair to the graphic t-shirt peeking out from under her faded blazer. For someone so stylish, she’s so unfussy — no manicured nails or makeup, just the scent of cherries from the lip balm she always has on hand. Her mixed heritage from far off Earth is clear in her features — Filipino and Indian from her mother and Caucasian from her father. Her beauty is so striking it still catches me off guard at times. She’s just twenty-six, but she carries herself with confidence and humor that seem way beyond her age.

While other teachers bemoan students’ antics, Archie handles each precocious child and curious question with patience and good cheer. She sees the wonder in simple things, finding joy in everything from pop culture to nature, loved ones, and quiet moments. She has a special gift for lighting up any room she walks into. It’s too bad she doesn’t realize how powerful it is.

And I’m totally smitten, and I wish I wasn’t. It’s just too complicated. My gaze follows her whenever she’s near, her enthusiasm and kindness having staked a claim upon my heart.

Sigh. I push the feelings away. She has Lex, and I’m her colleague and friend.

“Long day?” I ask, leaning back.

She nods, shrugging off her coat. “You know how field trips are. All wrangling overexcited kids and questions upon questions.”

“At least you survived. Any casualties or kids left behind at the museum?”

She laughs, and the sound brightens the room. “We had a couple of close calls, but we came back with the same number of students we started with. I’d say that’s a win.”

Her eyes meet mine, still glinting with amusement.

Stop those feelings, Garrick. They’re not helpful.

I clear my throat, dropping my gaze to the stack of papers in front of me. “Glad to hear your expedition was a success. My day was far less eventful, as you can see.” I gesture to the sea of reports and assignments awaiting my red pen. Most things are done on the tablets, but handwriting is a dying art, and I’m determined for my kids to learn to write the old-fashioned way.

“The joys of teaching literature,” Archie says. “All reading and no adventure. You should plan a field trip.”

I laugh. “And unleash twenty-odd fifth graders on some unsuspecting museum or wildlife center? I’ll leave that brand of chaos to the intrepid third grade teachers, thanks.”

Her smile widens. “Coward. Though, I can’t blame you. After today, I could use a little less adventure myself.” She glances at her watch. “In fact, I should get going. Promised Lex I’d meet him for dinner tonight.”

At the mention of Lex’s name, an unreasonable burst of envy flares in my chest. I tamp it down, keeping my tone light. “Off to more excitement, then. Enjoy your evening, Archie.”

“You too.” She stands, slinging her bag over one shoulder. “You’re coming to Clara’s for the big event tomorrow night, right? It’s going to be fun.” She raises her eyebrows twice. “Her place has the perfect deck for it.”

I was invited, but I wasn’t certain if I should go. Sure, the news has been buzzing about the syzygy for months, and I had decided to escape for the weekend to see it without all the city lights.

Archie can sense my hesitation. “Come on, Gare. You should join, take a break from the papers and live a little.”

My heart lifts at the invitation, knowing it likely comes from her sweet nature rather than any secret affection. Hmmm. I had planned on camping, so it’s not like I’ll have to cancel a hotel. An evening spent in her company, observing the wonders of the night sky, is not an opportunity I can pass up.

Yes, I have it bad for her.

“You make a compelling case,” I say, changing my mind. “Count me in.”

A smile breaks across her face. “Fantastic. I’ll see you there.”

I spend another two hours grading, pack the remaining papers into my bag, drain the last of my coffee, and make my way out of the teacher’s lounge. The halls echo with emptiness, almost everyone having already headed off to start their weekends.

Outside, the early evening sky glows as the sun dips towards the water. The school door bangs shut behind me, and I set off down the cobblestone streets toward the harbor, breathing in the damp, salty air and the smell of cooking onions on the breeze.

Stellura’s downtown has always felt like an extension of home. I wave to familiar faces at each corner — the baker closing up shop, the old fisherman smoking his pipe outside the chandlery. This city may be small, but its bustling streets and canals teem with life.

At the Harbor House, my favorite pub, I take a seat at the bar and order a pint of ale. The bartender, a friend from my college days, drops off my drink with a wink and a mumble of “Same old, Garrick?”

I laugh. “Some things never change, and thank goodness for that. Life is exciting enough without constant upheaval.”

“Here’s to life’s simple pleasures, then.” He raises a glass in toast before moving to serve another customer.

Taking a long draught of the familiar bitter and malty brew, I sigh and close my eyes. For once, the pub is quiet, most of the usual patrons having left town to get a clear view of tomorrow night’s main event. That’s what I was going to do, too. Was I stupid to change my plans just so I can see Archie? Why did I do that? She’s bound to bring Lex, and then I’ll be disappointed all evening.

I pull my latest read, a large fantasy novel, out of my bag, eager to escape into its pages. But just as I flip to my bookmark, someone drops onto the stool beside me.

“Hey, Garrick, fancy running into you here.”

I stifle a groan. Of all the nights, did it have to be one where Marlo made an appearance?

Forcing a smile, I glance up from my book. “Marlo. I didn’t realize you were still in town.”

“Had a few loose ends to tie up at the university before heading off on sabbatical.” She gestures to the bartender. “Can I get a glass of your house red? Thanks.” Then she turns her scrutinizing gaze back to me. Uh oh. “I’m surprised to see you here the night before the big event,” she says. “Weren’t you planning to go stargazing somewhere remote?”

Trust Marlo to remember details I mentioned in passing months ago and use them to make pointed observations now.

“Plans change,” I say with a shrug, keeping my tone light. “A quiet night close to home seemed appealing.”

“How unlike you.” She takes a sip of wine, eyeing me over the rim of her glass. “You’re not usually one to pass up the opportunity for adventure,” she says.

I stiffen, stung by her implication. We broke up months ago, but she still acts like she knows me best and keeps judging me.

“People change,” I reply. “Life moves on. Speaking of which, don’t you have travel preparations to make?”

I bury myself in my book, hoping she’ll accept the dismissal and move on. Marlo has a gift for dredging up parts of the past I’d rather stayed there, and all I want right now is to finish my drink in peace.

There’s a long silence, followed by a loud sigh. “You know, Garrick, I was rather hoping we might spend some time together before I head off.”

I look up, stunned by this admission. Is she implying what I think? “Why?” I ask.

She shrugs, tracing a finger around the rim of her glass. “We didn’t end on the best of terms. I thought maybe this was a chance to… catch up.”

When she lifts her gaze to meet mine, it’s full of a meaning and hope I know all too well. I shake my head, keeping my voice gentle but firm.

“We said all we needed to say when we broke up. There’s nothing left between us to revisit,” I say.

Her face falls, and for a moment, the vibrant, clever woman who first captured my heart sits next to me. She was amazing, so fun and cheerful. But she didn’t want to settle down. She doesn’t want a family. We’re two incompatible people, even if we were great in bed.

That part of my life is over now. We’ve both moved on, and there’s no easy way to go back to how things used to be.

“Are you sure?” she asks, inching her hand down the bar to brush against mine. “I’ve missed you.”

I hold back a sigh. She’s still beautiful, still captivating, with her soft black curls and dark chestnut skin. And I haven’t been laid since she left me months ago.

But I am not getting into this mess again. Even if I’m never an option for Archie either, I’d rather be alone.

I move my hand away. “Sorry, but no. We’ve been through for some time.”

Marlo lifts her chin, masking her disappointment with a too-bright smile. “You’re right, of course. My mistake. Well, uh, I guess I’ll see you around… Maybe.”

She takes one last swig of wine and slides off her stool. I let out a breath as her figure retreats across the pub and through the door into the bustling street beyond.

Ugh. Did she really think a few coy smiles and veiled invitations would undo months of distance and erase the issues that drove us apart? Nope. No way.

I shake my head, turning over the encounter in my mind as I sip my beer. Maybe it’s a mistake to let her go? When things were good, they were perfect. Insanely so. Mindblowingly awesome. It could be that way again. Right?

I glance out the door and catch her turning the corner towards the center of town.

I don’t move. I barely breathe.

The urge to run after her subsides.

I’m such a loser.

I pick up my book and get back to reading.