Devotion Page 2

  Does she honestly think she is this important? Does she feel she's so special she deserves a message that holds her high above the rest of the world, delivered to her daily? Well, it's over. I didn't offer her a choice in the matter, nor did she utter a word about it. I wasn't sure if she would complain or not, but now I don't expect her to say a thing. How weak. I might bring the notes back into the mix tomorrow to observe what happens. Surely, she'll mention something about it then.

  It wasn't always this way. I didn't always detest Katherine so much that I would purposely make her unhappy. But a lot can change in six months. People evolve. Lives shift direction. A person you once thought you understood shows you their true self. What happens next is not on me. That's on her and is already written, embedded into history ahead of time.

  The honeymoon wasn't easy. Vegas and back in five days. It pushed me to breaking point. Five days might be a flash in the sky to some, but it felt like a lifetime.

  The trip did, however, confirm everything I already knew about Katherine. It showed me how selfish and thoughtless a person she really is. I didn't know what else I was expecting.

  I hope she's ready for anything because today will be her first true day of being a wife. What's coming next will test her and show me what she's made of, and what she's capable of withstanding. After all, she wanted to get married.

  She stood before the judge that day and made a commitment, one that shouldn't be thrown around so openly in a courthouse of all places. I never hoped for things to go down this path. Still, I complied with my end of the arrangement, completed what the law required of me, signed what the judge told me to. It's what Katherine wanted. I merely agreed to the event like a mindless drone. It makes me wonder if Katherine knew what she was getting herself into by saying yes. I guess time will tell.

  The 'congratulations' banner today made me feel sick the second I laid eyes on it, but I had to smile and play my part the way she expected me to. What was there to even congratulate? Two people agreed to be bound by the law and little else. Nothing had really changed. In today's age of divorce, a commitment such as marriage is almost meaningless. That's how little stock I put into the proceedings. But I could see on her face how much she valued the idea. She felt special and above the others in the room while we stood there. I had to pretend to be happy about the whole thing and toe the line.

  Well, I've got news for my dear Katherine. I will teach her that marriage is not something to underestimate. She will learn what it means to be Mrs. Katherine Grayson.

  4

  Katherine

  I'm an idiot. Before Ava and I reach Corey's car, I realize my keys are missing. And these aren't the ones you want to misplace. They're not for my house or sedan, but the keys I need to unlock my classroom and everything within it. I'll be in all kinds of trouble if I can't locate them and will be on the hook for a fee to have them replaced.

  After emptying my bag for the third time to check if the keys got caught somewhere in the lining, I drag Ava to my room trying to retrace my steps. I had the damn things only a few minutes ago when I locked the door, didn't I? My daily routine flashes through my head as I recall doing everything today slightly incorrect. We were only gone for five days, but the excitement of our honeymoon pulled my mind too far away from the real world. I guess Corey and I celebrated hard in Vegas to make up for our basic nuptials.

  Don't get me wrong. I loved our spur-of-the-moment ceremony, but I always thought I'd have that special wedding I grew up dreaming about. Corey seemed so eager that I went along with the proposal without thinking. As if that wasn't enough to blow my mind, he pressed hard to charge down to the courthouse and marry me. Really, I could have taken some time to plan out something amazing, but it was probably for the best we never did. I doubt we could have afforded the day I was fantasizing about.

  I don't recall locking my classroom door now that I think about it. What I remember is an overwhelming desire to see Corey. Did I let thoughts of our honeymoon distract me like a moth when a porch light got flicked on for the night? I missed my husband, despite seeing him at recess when he dropped in for a brief visit. I'd even sent a few quick texts to him whenever I could, breaking the principal's most annoying rule.

  Ava and I reach my classroom and find no keys fallen along the way. I must have left them inside the room like a moron. My head shakes as I open the unlocked door, resisting the urge to cuss under my breath. My daughter need not hear it.

  "What are we doing, Mommy?" Ava asks, her voice half in complaint. She gets tired and somewhat cranky at this time of day until she's home with a snack watching her favorite animated shows. I can relate to the thought.

  "Silly Mommy forgot her keys. We'll just have a quick look inside to see where I left them. It won't take a minute, I promise."

  "Okay," she says, elongating the word as she drags her feet while we walk in. You'd think I was asking for a kidney the way her shoulders had drooped.

  "Sit down in a chair and I'll quickly locate them." I direct Ava to the nearest seat with my index finger and get to work searching the usual places I throw my keys each morning. Rummaging through my desk, I find it amazing how it only took me today to mess up my workspace again. I had the area spotless for once before we left. Now, it's a pigsty.

  I stand, hands on hips, after having searched in and around my workstation. Ava sits at one of the tables, swinging her legs back and forth with her fingers gripping the sides of the chair. Boredom has kicked in fast as she makes noises with her mouth while her neck struggles to hold her head up. I can't help but snicker at how cute she looks with her blonde pigtails and green eyes.

  My attention shifts to the clock on the wall, reminding me that Corey is waiting. I debate sending him a text as I go through my desk again in vain to produce nothing but frustration. Where could they be? Did one of the kids have them? The class acted up the second I took a day off, which wasn't often. I run through the list of potential suspects in my head and pray none of them have taken my keys home in their bag.

  "Mommy?" Ava asks.

  "Yeah, honey?"

  "Did you find your keys?"

  "No, sweetheart. But it's time to go. We don't want to keep Corey waiting, do we?"

  Ava smiles at the mere mention of Corey. The two get on like a house on fire. I'm so lucky.

  "Let's move," I say, matching her smile as I extend out a hand to guide her off the chair. It's crazy to think that she'll soon be ready to leave the kindergarten and start first grade. My little girl is growing up too fast. I won't be teaching her if I can help it, wanting to avoid any classroom favoritism.

  It feels like only yesterday when she started to walk and talk as I raised her all on my own. Things took a dark turn when I had Ava, but somehow, we pushed through that time. Then Corey came along. Not only did he win over my heart, but he made sure he got to know Ava, treating her as if she were his own flesh and blood.

  We hurry across the school grounds with cloudy weather threatening overhead. I have no choice but to report my lost keys to the office, so I figure Annette might help me out with a spare until I find my own. She could save me a lot of embarrassment. I've put the lack of a love note to the depths of my mind and feel better able to hold a conversation in the office without thinking about it.

  This is not the best first day back given I'm missing two important items. I can only hope Annette helps me make things right again.

  5

  Katherine

  As Ava and I reach the office, my cell buzzes in my bag. I don't always feel the vibration in my hand, but it must be sitting in the right spot for a change. I pull it out and see a text from Corey asking again where we are. My thumb attempts to draft a reply as we approach Annette, but she calls out to me before I can get any words down.

  "How are you?" she asks when we reach the glass divider Annette is standing behind. "How was your first day back?"

  "Good," I say. "Exciting and draining all at once. I swear we never left. Vegas feels like
a distant memory."

  "Oh, come on, Kat. I'll bet there are some unforgettable memories in there, huh?" she says, flicking her brows up.

  The corner of my mouth scrunches into a coy smile I can't contain as I try not to blush. Among other reasons, I hope Ava doesn't understand the conversation taking place. "Maybe I'll tell you over some coffee this weekend."

  "Maybe? How about definitely? It's the only thing that'll get me through this slow week."

  "Okay. You've twisted my arm," I say, not wanting to discuss my honeymoon. If I'm lucky, Annette might forget in a few days.

  "And how are you, Ava? Happy that Mommy and Corey are back?"

  "Yeah," she says through a huge grin as she nibbles her index finger while swinging from my grip.

  It's so amazing that I have Annette around to help with babysitting when I need it. She made our honeymoon happen when she agreed to watch Ava the entire time. I pat Ava's head with a light hand at her innocent response to Annette. "So anyway, I hate to be a pain, but I have to ask you for a huge favor."

  "Yes?" Annette asks, leaning closer.

  I close my eyes for two seconds and flash them open. "I've lost my keys."

  "What?" she whispers, half glancing over her shoulder. "Seriously?"

  I nod, lips taut.

  "Crap," Annette lets slip. She keeps her voice quiet. "There's the spare master set I can give you, but you have to find the original as soon as you can. The school will have no choice but to have the locks changed over if you can't locate them. With the budget cuts going around, Barry won't be too happy about it."

  Barry Snyder is our principal. A reasonable man most days. But recent pressure pushed down on him from his superiors regarding the school's finances has put him on edge.

  "Understood. I'll take the spare set until I can turn the room upside down."

  Annette slides them over to me as if we are doing some kind of drug deal.

  "Thank you," I say as I scoop them up. "I owe you big time. First you look after Ava for me. Now this. You're too good to me."

  "Anytime. You know I've got your back. You'd better get out of here. Best not to keep that husband of yours waiting around."

  Husband. I love hearing the word. It still sounds alien. A huge grin plasters my face. "Thank you again," I say as we leave. I give Annette a small wave while Ava tells her goodbye.

  "Oh, and don't worry about locking up. I'll ask the janitor to do it."

  "You're the best."

  "I know, I know. You can make it up to me with a tall cup of coffee this weekend," Annette shouts as we go through the office doors.

  With the spare master in hand, I rush out to the parking lot where Corey has been waiting. When he hears about me losing my keys, he'll have a good laugh. He knows how unorganized I can be.

  We arrive at the car. I load up Ava and speak to him from the back seat as I buckle her in. "Sorry we're late. I've lost my classroom keys like an idiot. I had to—"

  "Where were you?" he barks.

  I snap my eyes to his in the rearview mirror. His brows narrow in with focus as I sense tension in his body.

  "I was about to tell you that—"

  "Just get in the car. I've been waiting long enough to drive home."

  "Okay," I say, almost frozen by his tone.

  "What's wrong with Corey, Mommy?" Ava asks.

  I glance to the mirror again to see his expression soften as he addresses Ava. "I'm sorry," he says. "I've had the worst day is all, sweetheart. I shouldn't have spoken like that to your mommy."

  I want to say something, but I don't, figuring we're both tired and grumpy from having to rush back to work from a nice vacation. I finish with Ava and move around to the front passenger seat and climb in. I keep my gaze fixed on Corey as he starts the car and drives out of the school's parking lot.

  "Is everything okay?" I ask him as we drive through town.

  "I'm fine," he says. "It's been one of those days, you know. I'm sorry I spoke to you like that. Let's go home and forget all about it. What do you say, Ava? How about some chocolate ice cream for dessert?"

  "Yes, please!" Ava shouts.

  "So tell me about the keys," he says.

  I glance away from his smile with downcast eyes. Corey tells me when something is bothering him. What is he keeping from me?

  6

  Katherine fell for it. She believed that her haphazard classroom management made her lose her school keys. How gullible can you get? As stupid as she is at the best of times, even I know she would never do such a thing, but she accepted the fact without question.

  It didn't take much for me to swipe them from her open bag today due to how careless she is with her belongings. How she hasn't been mugged yet astounds me. I could have done the deed in front of her as we had our morning coffee, given the way she leaves her keys sitting at the top of her handbag for anyone to snatch. Now that I have them, the fun can begin.

  With some doubt running around inside her head, I will use those lost keys to open up a few opportunities. She won't believe what I have planned for her next. She'll think her life is falling apart, that the world has somehow changed overnight. I'll play my part to perfection.

  Katherine has been careless from the moment I first met her. Only a few months ago, she lost her cell when we went out for drinks one night. She'd barely had a glass of wine, yet she still misplaced her expensive new iPhone within fifteen minutes of our arrival, ruining our fun the way only she can. I had no choice but to offer to pay for a replacement. Of course she said no, always trying to present herself as the mature adult. I could tell though underneath her thin skin she was ready to insist the world come to a screaming halt because of her own stupidity.

  The look on her face will be priceless when she suddenly finds those keys. I can imagine the slight twitch she'll have in her eyes as her small brain attempts to piece things together. Confusion will take over and soon meld into anger. If only I could record the whole thing without her noticing.

  No doubt Ava will interrupt the precious moment with some demand. I can't stand that little brat, but Katherine thinks I love her as if she were my own daughter. Every time I interact with that kid, I'm forced to pretend I give a damn about her well-being. She's the last person on this planet I ever think about. Why should I give any consideration to a child whose parents were stupid enough to fall pregnant when they could barely take care of their own pathetic lives? She's not my damn problem, but that devil continually gets thrust upon me. Still, I smile and laugh when I'm supposed to, constantly aware that Katherine is watching and judging my every interaction like an obsessed social worker.

  So far, my plan is on track. Katherine can't help being predictable, so it won't be hard for me to reach my end goal without so much as one hiccup as long as I stay focused. But before I achieve everything I need to accomplish, I will have a little fun driving Mrs. Grayson to the brink of insanity.

  7

  Katherine

  We roll into the driveway of our new rental. Before we got married, Corey and I decided we needed a bigger place to live so we could pull all of his things out of storage and save some money. Part of me thinks the move might have inspired his sudden desire to propose to me without discussing the idea first. Sure, we already lived together, but the minute Corey wanted to remove his belongings from storage was the moment he'd taken this relationship to the next level.

  It wouldn't have been an easy decision to make given the extra commitment Ava brings alongside me. I know caring for someone else's child isn't a hassle most people want to bother with, but Corey has put in the hard work with Ava. He makes her feel loved. Sure, occasionally I notice the situation getting to him when he'd rather be alone with me, but he's only human.

  Corey kills the engine and sighs.

  "Are you sure everything's okay, honey?" I ask. I don't want to be a pain, but I can see something's on his mind.

  "It's nothing."

  "Come on. You can tell me. That's what wives are for."
>
  He shifts to me with his usual loving smile, the one I fell in love with six months ago. But it soon turns sour. "The same old thing as ever: a parent complaining. I don't know why, but I thought being away from the school even for a few days might have allowed some change to sweep in. Of course not. If anything, it's given them more ammunition."

  I shake my head in support. "What happened?"

  "What always does. I give a kid a grade, he takes it home to show his parents, they lose their minds and yell at me over the sheer possibility that their child is less than perfect. Little do they realize how many lies their son has sprinkled over that terrible mark I've handed out. If I dare argue with Mom and Dad, they'll run to the principal and threaten all kinds of legal action. Then, before I know it, I'll be forced to reverse the grade and destroy all authority I might have held over the damn twerp to begin with."

  "Hey, it's okay," I say as I rub his arm. "Did this all happen today?"

  "No. My old school before I moved here. So far, I'm at the stage where this kid's parents are questioning the mark I gave out before we left. It's only a matter of time before they escalate the problem though." He slams the steering wheel with a fist.

  I flinch and pull my arm away from him as if I was patting a dog who's suddenly bared its teeth. I've never seen this side of Corey.

  "I'm sorry," he says after opening his hand. "I didn't mean to—"

  "It's fine. Let's just get inside. I'll make you some dinner while you take a nice hot shower to unwind. What do you say?"