Page 26 of Unsupervised

Is there any chance he also sees me as more than his student or the girl who is helping him learn piano? Does he notice me at all? Do I really want him to?

Chapter Seven

Layton

I’m walking a thin line when it comes to Kelly Bryant. Nothing at all inappropriate has happened but spending time outside of school with a student is a big red flag. People will assume the worst. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with taking piano lessons from her or with her volunteering at my grandmother’s nursing home, but if we’re seen together too often, rumors will start to spread. I’ve seen it happen before.

I may not be sure whether I want to continue teaching after this year, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to implode any future chance at it, not to mention be labeled as a creep or predator.

The activities manager, Debra, is happy to talk to Kelly, and I leave them chatting about volunteer opportunities while I find my grandmother. She’s sitting in the lounge, playing cards with a few other residents. A pile of hard candies and change rests in the middle of the table. They’re caught up in their game and don’t notice me when I walk up to watch.

“Straight flush,” Grandma exclaims, laying down her cards.

“Melina, you heifer!” Agnes exclaims, tossing her cards on the table.

The only man in their foursome shakes his head. “She put the hoodoo on them cards, I done told you. She’s a witch.”

Grinning ear to ear, Grandma pulls the pile of loot toward her. “If I were going to jinx you, I’d make you wet yourself.”

“Don’t need a jinx for that,” Barbara says.

“Keep on with me and see if you don’t all find a soggy diaper under your pillow,” the man threatens.

An orderly perched on a stool nearby saunters over. “Hold up just a minute, Ms. Dawkins and let me see your winnings.”

“What kind of police state is this?” Grandma complains as he inspects the pile she’s about to shove in a purse.

My chuckle draws her attention, and she grins. “Layton, see how they are? Trying to take a helpless old lady’s candy?”

The orderly rolls his eyes at me and plucks something from the pile. “Maybe because you all keep betting your medication.” He holds up a Valium.

“Now how did that get in there?” Grandma exclaims. “Agnes, your glaucoma is acting up. That wasn’t an M&M.” She scoops the rest of her haul into her purse and gets to her feet. “Sorry, time to go visit with my grandson.” As we walk away, she mumbles. “Asshole saw it at the last minute.”

“Why do I think you probably have more fun than I do?” I laugh, sitting beside her on one of the couches.

Kelly and Debra enter the room, still chatting for a moment before Debra gets called away by a resident. The shy smile on Kelly’s face as she approaches us is adorable.

“Okay, I’m officially a volunteer. I’m going to play today. Then I can let them know my availability and come in whenever it’s convenient.”

“That’s great. I told you they’d be glad to have you.”

Grandma looks up at her, then smacks me on the arm. “Layton Aldrich, you introduce me right now.”

Kelly grins down at her. “I’m Kelly Bryant. You must be Mr. Aldrich’s grandmother.”

Grandma turns to me. “Mr. Aldrich? Well, aren’t we putting on airs.”

My palm runs over my forehead, and I close my eyes for a moment. “Grandma, she’s one of my students from the college. She’s come to play the piano.”

Grandma regards Kelly. “It’s nice to meet you, honey. I’m Melina Dawkins. You can call me Melina.” The pointed look she gives me makes Kelly giggle.

“It’s good to meet you too.”

“Are you single, Kelly?”

Oh no. I should’ve seen this coming. The question clearly catches her off guard, and I intervene. “You don’t have to answer that.” Turning to Grandma, I add, “It doesn’t matter if she’s single. She’smy student. Don’t even start.”

Grandma blinks at me, trying to look innocent. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You shouldn’t get so worked up.” Shaking her head, she tells Kelly. “He always was a bit uptight, even as a kid. I used to look for the other end of the stick up his keister when he yawned.”