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Pouring himself a cup of coffee, Paul eyed Katherine. "I shouldn't say this, but I will. Frost's no longer part of our staff. I was close to removing him after yesterday's outburst, but then when I heard about last night, it sealed the deal. That's why I want to go to the police station. I want to make sure everything's spelled out."

"Thank you." She glanced at Gabriel. "You two had this all worked out last night, and didn't need me for anything, right?"

Gabriel's eyes met Paul's. "Mrs. Riley feels I force my way into situations and do things without consulting her."

Paul stirred his coffee. "Gabe, that's part of your charm. You see something that needs to be done and do it, without hesitation."

Katherine smiled. "That's one way to put it."

"Okay, now that's settled." Paul glanced over his schedule. "Mrs. Riley, how does ten o'clock this morning look?"

"I have a meeting at nine. It should only take an hour. It should be fine."

"Great. Come to my office when you're finished." He picked up his phone and listened. He covered the receiver. "Sorry, I need to take this."

Both Gabriel and Katherine stood. He opened the door and followed her out. "Can I ask a question?"

"Always."

"Do you really believe I'm arrogant?" When she didn't answer, he continued, "I see that's an area I need improvement."

After they left the office, Gabriel walked toward the locker room area. Katherine stood and watched. I think I hurt his feelings. Why does that surprise me? Because arrogant jocks don't have feelings. Could there be more to him?

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 5 part 2

After meeting with the police and the court clerk, Paul opened the school door for Katherine. "I think that went well. What do you think?"

"I guess so. Think a thirty day restraining order is enough? I guess we'll find out."

As they neared the office, Gabriel opened the door. "Well?"

As Katherine's jaw set, she glared at Gabriel. "Why didn't you tell me Mr. Frost had a gun and a knife?"

Gabriel exhaled. "You were frightened, so I decided you didn't need to know."

"You push your way into my life and now you're making decisions on what I need to know. Did it occur to you that I have a right to know about things that affect me? I'm not a child."

"I guess I didn't look at it that way. Next time I will."

"Let's pray there's not a next time," interjected Paul. He watched Gabriel walk over to a table.

Gabriel handed a sack and drink to Katherine. "Today's lunch. I hope you don't mind, but I already gave Jordan his."

She accepted the sack. "Thank you for thinking of Jordan. I'm sure he was hungry." After a few moments, she asked, "What's for lunch?"

"Two pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, potato salad, a brownie, and lemonade." He grinned. "I think Mom put two brownies in Jordan's."

"Tell her thank you but she didn't need to do that. Yesterday, he got my second sandwich and will probably get this one. There's no way I can eat two. Anyway, you can convince her to put only one in mine? I hate wasting food."

Gabriel chuckled. "I doubt it. She usually adds not subtracts." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "I need to get to my meeting. Have a nice lunch. Paul, yours is in your office. Beside it I laid an outline for girls' cross country and the cost." As Katherine headed toward the door, he opened it. "Please accept my apology. I'll work on those areas."

Is he serious? Does this arrogant jock have a soft side?

*****
The afternoon was filled with staff meetings and working in classrooms. As Katherine prepared to leave, there was a knock on her classroom door. She glanced up and saw a middle-aged woman. "Hello, may I help you?"

She offered her hand. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm Sandy Frost, Rodney's wife."

Katherine chewed her lower lip. "Mrs. Frost, I'm not sure you should be here."

When Katherine didn't accept the hand, Sandy placed it by her side. "I'm not here to harm you. I want to apologize for Rodney's behavior. He's had problems for a while. They got worse when he was turned down for assistant principal positions at three other schools, and then our son didn't get this math job. All the positions were filled with women, and he felt he was discriminated against. I don't share his opinions."

Katherine smiled. "I'm glad you came in. I couldn't figure out what I'd done to cause your husband's anger. Now I understand I just happened to be a representation of what happened." She hesitated. "I know it's none of my business, but has he seen a doctor?"

Her eyes threatened to tear, and Sandy used a Kleenex to wipe them. "No. I've tried to get him to see one, but he refuses. I'm hoping after this incident the court will force him to seek help."

Offering Sandy additional tissues, Katherine said, "I hope he gets the help he needs."

Sandy glanced at the door. "I guess I'd better leave. I know this is the beginning of the school year and you're busy. Thank you for listening."

"Thank you for taking time to explain the situation. Please let me know if he gets help."

She nodded. "I will. Good bye."

*****
Gabriel and Paul stood outside the office talking as Sandy Frost walked by.

Paul waved. "Have a nice day, Mrs. Frost."

Coach's eyes widened. "Mrs. Frost?" He jogged down to Katherine's classroom.

Following close behind, Paul said, "I wonder what she wanted?"

They both barged into the room. "You all right?"

She glanced up. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Mr. Edwards said, "Because Mrs. Frost was in the building."

"Yes. Sandy came to speak with me. She apologized for her husband's behavior and explained some things."

Gabriel blurted, "So she didn't threaten you or ask you to drop the charges?"

"No. She hopes the court will order medical care that he refuses to get."

The men looked at each other. Paul was the first to speak. "I guess we worried for nothing."

"Maybe so."

Katherine shook her head. "You two are starting to worry me."

Gabriel walked toward the door. "I have practice to get to." He glanced at Paul. "How about you?"

"I have paperwork that needs my attention. Good day, Mrs. Riley."

"Good bye." Katherine watched them leave and muttered, "No wonder they're friends. They're both crazy."

Paul called back, "We heard that."






CHARACTERS:

Katherine Riley: age 33 - widowed: husband died 6 months ago. She moved to Texas from NYC with her four sons.

Daisy: Katherine's yellow Labrador

Gabriel Hudson: more information later, owner of a very large English Mastiff

Reggie: a very large English Mastiff

Jeremy: Katherine's six year old son. He's in first grade.

Jordan: Katherine's fifteen year old son. He's a sophomore.

Joshua Katherine's thirteen year old son. He's in 8th grade

Joel Katherine's eleven year old son. He's in 6th grade.

Paul Edwards: High School principal and Gabriel's friend.

Rodney Frost: Math department head, at least for now.

Angie Brooks Math teacher and Katherine's friend.

Frank Collins Math teacher.

Rebecca and Harold Hudson Gabriel's parents

Sarah and Bob Beck Katherine's parents, Bob is deceased

Frank Collins math teacher

Alan Green an Assistant Principal

Sandy Frost Rodney Frost's wife