Part 2

Decided to give some time in between parts... well let's get right into it.

Part two of "Untitled Short Story"
By Chris Walker

Matt took his planning period to get a snack. The teachers’ lounge was down two halls. Matt has had a nervous walk his whole life. The thought of others watching him made him feel nauseous so he kept his head down. When he walked he counted his steps and tried to avoid stepping on the larger than normal spaces between tiles. In forty steps Matt entered the teachers’ lounge. He approached the vending machine and watched the dull metallic coil unwind to release his potato chips. He dropped down to pick up the bag then arise, turn about, and leave, but he found in front of him the principal Mrs. Erin Miller.

“How are you this fine afternoon, Mr. Whelchel?” asked Mrs. Miller with the most professional tone she could conjure.

“Oh, I can’t complain,” said Matt as he was straining to meet her eyes.

Mrs. Miller strayed past Matt to the coffee-maker to pour a cup. With a provocative voice she then stated, “I’m very happy you agreed to substitute for a second week at our academy. The faculty has had no complains; usually a few of our more snobbish faculty always find something to complain about. All I have heard about you was that you’re a ‘good listener’. I suppose I should then inform you of a position opening next year in our English department. It would seem that Dr. Kendall is retiring. Say this next week could be a good opportunity to prove your worth.”

Matt stood amazed. His expression showed interest, but his eyes didn’t show much. He was fixated on the pantsuit that Mrs. Miller wore. Her clothes turned her into a powerful figure that seemed more than human. Matt remained speechless as Mrs. Miller walked out the door with mug in hand. Matt left as well. Back at his classroom he sat behind the desk and drew up plans for the quiz he would hand-out tomorrow.

To himself he tried to estimate the scores of his students. The two football players in the corner of his first class would both get eighty percent; they were both smart but not smart enough. In his second class, Emily, a smart girl who reads excessively, will lead the pack with a ninety-five percent. Abby will get a perfect.

Matt’s day was mundane throughout the rest of his classes. He led discussions that got off topic regardless of his efforts. He could be blamed for a portion of movie debates, but he still was able to lecture and give notes about Hemingway’s life. Ah, Hemingway’s life was simple poetry, similar to his writing. Matt stayed after class for only a few minutes before driving back to his apartment. He made himself some soup and sat in front of his television. His apartment was minimally decorated, only his own bedroom had any posters. His living room had an enormous entertainment center with ten separate video game systems. The television set was an impressive liquid crystal display high definition screen that stood above forty inches. Matt could spend days sitting in his recliner escaping into the digital world video games created for him. He unlocked the gate to a new universe with the press of a few buttons. Sometimes he merely opened good book though.

Today the world was inescapable. When he went to wash out his bowl his cell phone rang. The caller was an unfamiliar number. He didn’t mind answering because of the possibility of an emergency. When he answered his face exploded with a look of shock but not dread. He knew the voice immediately. Abby was on the other line. Matt cleared his throat and began pacing. He felt light and unbalanced but the footsteps kept him grounded.

“Hey Mr. Whelchel,” Abby greeted Matt with perky sound.

“Hey Abby, you are welcome to call me Matt now. School is done for the day and I get tired of formalities,” Matt mumbled into the receiver end of his phone.

“Oh, okay then, well, I just wanted to know if you were really coming to my party Saturday and if so, then you should know that we’re having it at the recreation center at my church, St. Michael’s off of Third Street. Do you know where that is?”

“Yes, I will be coming and yes I know where that is. Quick question though, where are you calling me from?”

“This is my cell phone; I know it must sound noisy because I’m at work. I work as a hostess at the new Applebee’s they opened up last month.”

“Wow, all those extracurricular activities and a job. I’m very impressed.”

“Whatever keeps me away from home. Anyways, Matt, my break is over, try and show up around three on Saturday. I’ll see you in class tomorrow, bye!” Abby made sure to add extra emphasis to his name before hanging up in a rush. Her last sentence made Matt feel young again but not in a good way. He opened and closed his flip phone a few times before saving Abby’s number with a few button presses. The only words that deeply shook Matt to his core were Abby’s statement about avoiding her house, but the thought didn’t dwell on his mind too long. His inner high school student was telling him to prepare for a date on Saturday. Sure it was only a party dragging him out on Saturday, although Abby personally invited him. That was the key.

Only a few highlights of any importance occurred between that day and Saturday. Matt woke up every day to drive to the academy badly drumming on his steering wheel, waiting for a warm greeting from Abby. He did receive one every day, some warmer than others, His walks through the halls still forced him to keep his head down. One day he mistakenly wore pants that were too short and taught the class sitting down. That day was particularly appalling because as he was exiting the building he spied Abby talking to an equally impressive student to herself named Jeffrey Bennington. The situation wasn’t aided by the fact that Jeffrey was quite a handsome young man. So, no surprise should arise when Matt spent several hours trying to find the perfect gift to give to Abby the next day.

Matt’s gift made him feel prepared. Saturday was his day to bask in the glow of Abby’s welcoming presence. She would want to spend every second of her birthday with him. Matt’s driving was hurried; he was extremely anxious to arrive at St. Michael’s and see Abby. When he did arrive he parked far out in the more remote regions of the parking lot so as to not fight for a close space. Much like his driving, Mat’s walk was hurried. He looked up to see the banner and balloons: Abby Is 17! Celebrate!

He immediately noticed the color of the balloons. All of them were green and brown like Abby’s eyes and hair. Matt could hear the festivities from several yards away, and if there were a particular scent for fun he could have smelled that too. As Matt approached the door he felt a tremble shudder down his spine. His newly familiarized uneasiness was making reappearances. Matt wanted to turn back, but more of him wanted to see Abby.

He reached the point of no return. His hand clenched the door handle, and he entered. Matt immediately took notice of all the people at Abby’s party. He knew she was a likeable person but did not truly know what to expect. More signs of nervousness ripped through Matt’s body. His right leg began to shake, and he was forced uncontrollably to place his right hand in his pocket. Matt shouldered Abby’s present and marched through the building with a bowed head. Although few noticed him, Matt saw quite a number of his students. Matt mostly had trouble finding adults, even when he did, the adults he found were well past his age. Matt felt further and further out of his element. He went straight to the gift table, he set his gift with the others, and he went straight to an empty chair at an empty table to sit.

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