Page 88 of Fierce-Baker

They went into the restaurant, were seated and placed their drink orders.

“I teach middle school. I always say I think it’s the worst age, but you’re trying to get them ready for it,” Emme said.

“I liked the kids when they were young. I really enjoyed first grade, but they moved us around a few years ago and I ended up with fifth. I’ve gotten used to it now, but it can be trying. Definitely the oldest that I’d want to teach.”

“I’m curious how Emme is going to be once school starts,” Brittany said. “I saw her frazzled at the end of the year.”

Tasha laughed. “Oh, I know that feeling well. The beginning, I’m frazzled but differently. Just so much to do and get ready. Learning the kids and their quirks, what works for them. You know how it is.”

“So I’ll see another side of you?” he asked.

“Not a bad side. I don’t lose my temper or anything. I’ll be tired, and maybe a little chaotic, but I try to plan and organize as much as I can. I’ve been doing some already at home. Next week it will be nice to get into my classroom and get things set up.”

“That’s the thing about middle school,” Emme said. “I don’t have one room that is completely mine. I end up moving around to three different rooms.”

“You two could bond all night about teaching,” Brittany said. “I want to know more about you, Tasha.”

“Just ask,” she said. “I’m not sure what Baker has told you.”

“The basics. I know you’ve got a son. He showed me a picture.”

“He did?” she asked, turning to look at him.

“The one of him in the sandbox I sent you the other day. Him and his trucks.”

“Did Baker tell you he bought those trucks for Micah? The two of them get along so well. I’ve got pictures too.”

She pulled her phone out, unlocked it, then slid it over for Brittany and Emme to look at Baker playing with her son.

“Ahhh, can I have some of these?” Brittany asked.

“Not so subtle at all to get her number,” he said sarcastically.

“Okay then,” Brittany said. “Since I’m not, why don’t you go to the bathroom for five minutes and give us time to talk to Tasha.”

Emme stood up. “I’ll go with you, Baker. Sorry, it’s your sister’s thing. This way we can just chat and you can grill me on your sister like she’s going to do to Tasha.”

She looked at Baker, saw his surprised face and reluctance to get up. “Go. It’s fine.”

“No bathroom,” he said. “We can go outside for a minute.”

Once they were alone, she said, “What is it you want to say?”

“I like you. I can see that my brother does too, but Baker, he’s had a hard time of it. He told me you know about Alexa.”

“He told me. I think if he didn’t take the first step to say it, I might not have opened up as much either.”

“He has a hard time keeping things back even when he wants to. He’s always felt as if he had to be the one to care for our mother, do what needed to be done, make decisions and hold her up because my father wasn’t always doing that.”

That was news to her. “Then why did he leave?”

“Because he got tired of it. It wore him down. And he’d met Alexa. I’m sure he told you he did all the things that my father doesn’t do for my mother. He paid attention to her, he took care of where they lived, he didn’t really coddle her, but maybe he put her on a pedestal more than she needed to be.”

She couldn’t keep the frown from her lips. “He doesn’t do that with me.”

Brittany reached for her hand. “And that is a good thing. He doesn’t feel as if hehasto. You’re strong and he’s okay with it. I know he is. He was hurt deeply. He’s a family man even thoughwe didn’t have a great one. He was upfront all along with what he wanted with Alexa and she never told him otherwise.”

“But did she ever talk about the future with him? Or just go along to be peaceful? Or don’t you know?”