Page 22 of Broken

"I actually have a vested interest in how Yara and Des are doing in your class," I replied and moved in closer to him to keep from getting knocked over.

A million parents had decided to come through the doors, and I was about to get trampled. Their math teacher, whose name escaped me, seemed to look thoughtful as he swallowed red wine.

"Des has a way with numbers. His brain processes them really well...but he tries to hide it. Yara....she's doing well, but she's distracted. Perhaps, it’s the boyfriend I see her with on my way out some days. He seems older and isn't a student here."

My brain was about to explode. Yara didn't have a boyfriend. She would have told me about him. We didn't keep secrets in this family.

I frowned. "Are you sure?"

"About?"

"About Yara...she doesn't have a boyfriend."

"Perhaps, I'm mistaken. Anyway, that's my wife across the room. Talk with her, let's get that A minus up to a plus," he chuckled.

Yara and Des grades were superb. I had never seen them so much as bring a C home. The way their brains worked amazed me every day. Report card day was something I celebrated with them. We would usually go to the dinner and pig out and order whatever we wanted on the menu.

"Okay, yeah, I will..." I watched the teacher walk across the room.

Pushing myself away from the wall, I found myself going over to the snack table. There was a punch bowl filled with wine and a server waiting to fill the waiting cups of thirsty parents. I waited and got a cup when it was my turn. I felt someone tap me on my shoulder and found some giggling women behind me.

"Yes?" I asked rather pointedly and realized this was not the time for attitude.

"We just wanted to tell you that we love your dress, it’s really gorgeous," a woman with a short blond bob and pearls stated. She introduced herself as Molly.

"Oh, this old thing," I said, looking down at the dress before tipping up the wine to my mouth.

"No seriously, you look amazing," another mom said and introduced herself as Tandy.

"Thank you, you guys look amazing too." I smiled, hoping they'd go away.

They did not go away and invited me to their table. I hid a sigh behind my smile and came to join them. I could tell these were the IT MOMS of Saint Clara High School and they came from old money. Shit, I'd probably robbed one of their houses in the past.

"So," Molly said. "Tell us about yourself and your kids."

I almost choked on my wine, but what had I expected to happen. The women waited patiently as I finally concocted a story about what I did for a living.

"Procurement....I'm entry level." I shrugged. "My kids, they're actually my siblings. My mom passed away almost two years ago, and I took them on. Not that they're a problem. They're straight A students here and on scholarship."

Both women looked shocked and then began to commend me. I waved them off; I loved my siblings and would do anything for them.

"That calls for more wine," Molly said, getting up. "Want another glass?"

I nodded and watched her flounce off. "So, what about you?"

Tandy smiled. "I'm a housewife. My husband is a lawyer and spends most of his time on the golf course. And my son Jack, Jr. is a senior and graduating the year."

"That must be exciting, right?"

"I'm going to leave him if he doesn't stop screwing that secretary," she said pointedly and picked up the wine glass Molly had sat down for her.

My eyebrows rose into my head as I looked between Tandy and Molly. "Mmm..."

Molly let out a huge laugh, almost like that of a witch's cackle. "I take it she just revealed Jack senior is an adultery. I caught mine with the nanny eight months ago. He's currently living in a hotel begging to come back home....think I'll let him dangle a little while longer."

Pretty soon, I became immersed in the lives of Molly and Tandy. These women were smart and creative but also lonely in their relationships. They begged me for my phone number so that we could have brunch. Apparently, I was fun... Reluctantly, I gave them my number before realizing that I had been at this function longer than I wanted.

"I'm going to head out, I really only intended to come to make sure I got counted for Yara and Des,” I replied.