The Better Half(7)
“I said creative, not loud,” Leo informs, reaching over to unbutton the top of my blouse for a peek at my lacy lavender bra. “I want to see these lovelies on screen.” Clumsily, Leo fondles my boobs from the driver’s seat with his right hand. The guy’s left-handed.
“You focus and drive right, and maybe you can get a last peep show in short-term parking.” The fact that in twenty minutes he’ll be gone is beginning to sting my eyes and cause a catch in my throat.
As we exit for Los Angeles International Airport, Leo’s hands are back on the steering wheel to maneuver the lanes. “No time to park. I’m going to pull right up to the terminal. You wait with the car while I run and grab a cart. If any of those airport parking hounds gives you trouble, tell them to sit tight, I’ll be right back.” Clearly, Leo doesn’t know Black folks don’t mess with people in uniform.
“Okay,” I mumble. Leo’s gone into operational mode whiplash fast. I need a bit more physical connection with him, I’m already missing being curled up in bed playing with his thick dark hair. But the moment has passed. Or at least, it’s passed for Leo.
Chucking me the keys, Leo hops out of the car like a kid starting the first day of a new school year full of possibilities. I slowly get out, pop the trunk, and struggle to pull even the smallest of Leo’s bags out it’s so stinking heavy. It feels like he’s moving away for forever.
Running back with a cart, Leo rides it the last fifty feet like the excited man-child he’s transformed into before my eyes. I hold the cart while he loads the luggage. Leo unearthed the woman in me that had been laying low since my divorce five years ago, and for that I’m grateful. Right now, that woman sure would like to continue getting some action from this tall, toned, self-possessed man swinging luggage in front of her, but I tell myself how lucky I was to have the past couple of months. I had an unexpected summer surprise that I should be thankful for rather than resentful that it’s ending because now, with Leo gone, I can put all my focus on the students and families at Royal-Hawkins. And that’s a good thing. Really.
Too soon, the bags are loaded, and there’s nothing left to do but say our goodbyes. I tug at a rogue thread on Leo’s cuff, not sure who should be the first to say whatever needs to be said to try to make this grim moment less painful.
Leo adjusts the top duffel, making sure it’s secure. His hands are calloused for a lawyer, one of the first things I noticed as he deftly undid the tie on my turquoise dress in his room at the Biltmore. I’m going to miss those hands something awful. Leo turns to me, hooking his arms around my waist, pulling me close. “Nina Morgan Clarke, it’s been one hell of a summer.” I nod my head in agreement. The only way I can keep my composure is if I don’t speak. “We are two smart people insanely attracted to one another,” Leo says, planting a lingering kiss on my lips. “We can make up our own rules on how to do us.” I’m pretty sure the rules of long-distance mean talking on average three point five times a week, and even then, the probability of us lasting is nil. “Anything’s possible for us, Nina.”
I clear my throat and unhook Leo’s arms from around my waist. I need the moment to end, this is already too hard. I have a school to get back to running and a daughter to parent. The real world is calling me back to claim my place.
“You’re right,” I say, kissing Leo on the cheek. I whisper into his ear, “It’s been a hell of a summer.” I take one last look at Leo, turn, and head back to school.
THREE
FROM: Courtney Dunn
DATE: August 30
SUBJECT: new year, new start for all
TO: Nina Morgan Clarke
Dear Nina,
I left you a voice mail at the end of the school year, but never heard back. Writing today to say I hope your summer was as invigorating and purpose-driven as the Dunns’! I’m sure you know, last year in first grade Daisy showed a real passion for oceanography. Serendipitously, the children’s piano teacher, Adia, was going to Costa Rica to help her sister who was having a baby. So, I decided we would all fly there, and Daisy, Geoff, and I would submerge ourselves in some global volunteerism while Adia helped her sister with the newborn (sadly my stepson, Benjamin, couldn’t join us, he was in Provence with his mother). The envirotainment program our travel consultant found housed us in a dreamy beachfront villa and came with a chef who made us incredible plantains morning, noon, and night. The whole experience really connected us to the dire need for ocean conservation. And bonus, Adia was close by so she could babysit in the evenings, and Geoff and I got to go out and have some fun pura vida style!
A little bird told me you scored big and hired the number-one draft choice for the middle school history teacher and basketball coach. We can’t wait to meet him. Benjamin is over the moon about his new coach, and trust me, at 12, he’s not over the moon about much.
Summer catch-up aside, I’m writing to tell you Geoff and I are beyond thrilled Daisy is attending Royal-Hawkins under the leadership of its first Black head of school. Being a sixth Latina myself, diversity is so important to us. I now feel Daisy will have a stronger voice in her school community, and I know all the parents of color feel as I do; comforted their children have a head of school who will prioritize their well-being.
As I mentioned in my June voice mail, I’m excited to join Royal-Hawkins’s board of trustees and provide some much-needed diversity to the group. With the Dunn family’s leadership level of giving and my experience running a robust life coaching practice, I know I can bring great insight and strategic direction to the school.