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Then came a couple of brief brushes with Mr. Rousseau in the weeks following. Once he had to pick up Martin early for a doctor's appointment and she decided to walk him down to the office while her teaching assistant finished the lesson. Paul had stepped out of the office to meet them in the hall when he saw them coming.
"Ready to go champ?" he asked Martin, rubbing his boy on the head.
While Martin nodded, Kimberley helped slip on his backpack.
"All set and ready to go," she said proudly.
"Thanks," Paul replied.
The curly lock of hair had fallen onto his forehead and she wanted to reach up and brush it away for him, but he reached up to do it himself and she bit her lip. What was it about this man that makes my brain turn to mush, she asked herself. Damn! She could only send them off with a weak little wave. I am so stupid, she thought to herself, getting all worked up over this attractive man who hardly knows I exist. She quickly walked back to her class trying to put it all out of her mind.
A week or so later she had gotten to school a bit later than usual. The kids were lining up at the outside door waiting for the bell to ring. Small groups of parents were gathered about chatting. Standing by the door talking animatedly with Allison Chambers' mother was Mr. Rousseau. Out of the corner of her eye as she breezed past, she could see him look her way and smile with a polite little nod.
"Good morning," he called out to her.
"Morning," she replied.
Since she was so late, she wanted to get inside quickly, but she paused for a moment. He kept smiling at her and nodded again in her direction. What to say, she asked herself. Nice day isn't it? Have a nice day? As her mind drew a blank, his smile disappeared, but the look remained. She finally turned away and hustled inside. Maybe he does know who I am, she thought to herself. The rest of the day she felt so distracted each time she remembered the look in his dark eyes and the tingle that swept through her body.
* * *
On the last Friday night before the Christmas holiday break, the PTA sponsored a carnival in the gymnasium. Parents and teachers alike signed up to run the various games and booths for the entertainment of the children and to help raise money for some special projects later in the year. Her friend Linda who taught second grade had talked her into volunteering.
"What else are you going to do that night?" Linda had said.
Yeah, right. What else, she had thought. A big bowl of popcorn and the latest DVD release was losing its charm she had to admit. So the two of them had signed up for the miniature tabletop bowling game. After the school day was over, she changed into a pair of jeans and a favorite sweater and helped with setting up and decorating the gym. Afterwards, she spent a few extra minutes in the bathroom putting up her hair to keep it out of her face and touching up her makeup.
The carnival started at six o'clock and it seemed like every one showed up at the same time. It was a wild and fun-filled madhouse as the kids and parents bought tickets and lined up to play the games. She and Linda were among the busiest, taking turns collecting tickets, setting pins, and handing out tokens to the winners. Kevin the gym teacher was next to them running a shooting gallery game and was hardly able to keep up.
"What's the matter, Kev? Getting old?" Linda chided.
"My helper hasn't shown up yet," Kevin replied "I hope he gets here soon."
After another flurry of contestants, she looked over to see Paul hustle up and join Kevin next door.
"Sorry, man," he told Kevin apologetically.
Kevin wasted no time putting him to work. At first, Kimberley was able to concentrate on running her game, but soon found herself sneaking little glances at her neighbor. He had the most wonderful laugh and was great at helping the kids get a better score. At one point little Martin and his big sister, a tall slim dark-haired girl, came up and asked their Dad for some more money for a soda and hot dog. She loved the way he acted around them, so devoted and protective.
"Cute kids," she shouted over to him.
"Thanks," he answered.
During another rush, she was busy resetting the bowling game and felt her hair slip out of the pins holding it up. She brushed it away from her cheek, but it fell back. After getting the game ready, she turned to the side, pulled the bobby pin from her hair and tossed her head back. She raised both arms up and using one hand to hold the offending lock in place, she pinned her hair back securely. She then realized that she was facing Paul directly, her arms up pulling her breasts up and out against her sweater. Just the look in his eyes was enough to tickle her nipples to taut attention. He smiled awkwardly and looked back to his own game, but there was no mistaking his admiring glances.
Later, there was an awkward moment when she bent over to reach under the table for some more tokens. She felt something brush up against the left cheek of her butt and realized that it was his leg. She looked over and up to catch him stealing a peak at her behind. Thank God she was wearing her favorite old pair of Guess jeans that fit her better than any others she had ever owned.
"Nice butt," he commented as he glanced down with a shy smile before looking away.
She felt that warm shiver pass through her again, which made it harder to concentrate on setting the pins or collecting tickets. A couple kids complained when she miscounted their tickets. Jesus, Kimberley Ann, can't you count to two, she asked herself.
Around seven thirty, the crowd began to thin out and the customers for their games dwindled down to an occasional visitor using up the last of their tickets. She caught Paul sneaking a look at her.
"What a crazy time!" she called out to him.
"Yeah. This is a lot of fun," he replied.
"I didn't know you were signed up for this," she remarked. "I don't remember seeing you at the meeting."
"I was a last minute replacement, I guess."
There was more idle chitchat as she struggled to find something to say that would interest him yet sound innocent to Linda and Kevin. She complimented him on the progress that Martin was making with his reading and writing. He turned it around into a compliment on her teaching abilities. She asked about their plans for the Christmas break he didn't really give an answer and seemed more interested in what she would be doing. He smiled when she told him she would visit her parents home.
"What? No ski trip to Gstaad?" he cracked.
"Not this year, although I would like to visit sometime."
"It's beautiful this time of year."
A handsome man, a devoted father, and a world traveler to boot! What wasn't there to love about this man, she asked herself. But then the L-word caught her. Oh, Sweet Jesus, Kimberley Ann, she thought.
"You'll get there sometime," he remarked.
Kimberley smiled and noticed that his kids were edging closer with their booty of cheap little toys in hand. The voice of the principal announced over the PA the winners of the door prizes and thanked everyone for their attendance and support. The teachers and parents set about packing up the games for another year. As she noticed Martin and his sister waiting impatiently for their dad, she gave Paul a little wave.
"I guess you'd better get going."
"Yeah, I guess so," he said with a sad look on his face. "Are you hanging around?"
"Some of the gang are going over to Poole's Tavern for a beer," she replied.
"Sounds nice, but," he said with a small sweep of his hand toward his kids.
"Well I wasn't planning on going anyway. I'm not one for smoky, noisy bars. I think I'll just head home."
"Same here," Paul said as he started to move toward the door
Kimberley began pulling together her purse and briefcase and backpack stuffed with her change of clothes.
"Well, can I walk you out then?" he asked, pausing for a moment.
"Yes, that would be nice," she said, clutching at her purse, briefcase and pack together. "Thank you."
"Let me help you," he offered holding out a hand.
She let him carry her pack. His kids knew the way and walked in front, joyfully comparing their prizes. "I must admit something Mr. Rousseau," she began to say.
"You can call me Paul," he said.
"Okay, Paul. I have to admire what you're trying to do. So many of my students have stay-at-home moms who have nothing better to do than shepherd their children around to school and sports and other activities. I can only imagine what it must be like for you doing all of it on your own and have to be the breadwinner too."
He held the door open for her as she slipped out into the chilly December air.
"It's not easy, but I didn't have much choice in the matter," he replied, matching her step. "I'm so busy that I don't really have time to think about it really. Well maybe at night sometimes when I wake up in the wee hours and can't fall back to sleep. Then I start to remember all of the things that have to be done in the next few days. It's at times like that when I really feel the need to have someone to share it with and help out."
They had reached her car and she fumbled with the keys to open up the trunk.
"If there's anything I can do to help," she offered cheerfully, setting her pack and briefcase in the truck, "Please let me know."
"Thank you," he said with that damned disarming smile. "I just may do that. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," she said opening her car door and slipping inside.
She tugged at the door and he gave her a little wave before heading off to rejoin his kids. She watched him walk away, and if she hadn't been sitting down she would have kicked herself in the butt. There was the perfect opening and she didn't even see it coming, and of course she had done nothing. God, I can be so dense, she thought to herself.
* * *
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