Chapter 12
CHAPTER
TWELVE
DANI
“Mr. Decker, is this your car?” Tyler asks from the back seat.
“It is. Why?” Alexander looks at Tyler in the rearview mirror.
“My grandpa thought you’d drive a, what was it? Oh yeah, a splashy car. Is this a splashy car?”
Alexander gives a full-belly laugh while I die of embarrassment in the front seat. Not only did Dad speculate on Alexander’s flashy European sports car, but he was also sure Alexander was a womanizer. Not my words, his. That Tyler is repeating part of the conversation has me cringing inside. Please don’t say anything else, Tyler. He’s said enough. He’s also let Alexander know he’s been a topic of conversation.
After our day at the Reapers game, Mom commented on how charming the Decker family is, especially Alexander. She thought their emphasis on family was refreshing. Dad liked him but didn’t have the same thoughts. He thought Alexander was impressive, but with an agenda. He thought his stoic and formal presence was suspect. This was fresh coming from the most stoic man I know.
At Costco, Alexander shed his buttoned up and formal facade and showed a glimpse of his fun side. I’d catch him smiling at me or laughing at some outrageous tub of mayonnaise. He was enjoying himself. I’m not sure if it was because of me, or the insanity of Costco, but either way, I liked it.
“Out of the mouth of babes,” I mumble.
Alexander’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “No, I don’t think this car is splashy, do you?” Tyler gives him a little shrug. He has no idea what a splashy or flashy car would be. He’s used to the practical Honda I drive. Safe. Affordable. Boring.
“What color do you think a splashy car is?” Alexander asks Tyler.
“Um, red?”
Alexander chuckles. “Yeah, red is pretty splashy. But a splashy car wouldn’t be very practical for taking little boys and their pretty moms out shopping, would it?” He gives Tyler a wink.
Oh god, I’m dying. This guy whipped out his black credit card at Costco and didn’t blink twice at the almost four-thousand-dollar total. I gulped. He has this gorgeous black G Wagon SUV with the most buttery leather seats I’ve ever touched. They’re so soft and luxurious, definitely not like my juice stained car seats.
Tyler shrugs.
“Hey Tyler, what grade will you be in this year?”
“First! I’m going to big boy school with Mom.”
Alexander looks over at me with a questioning look. “He’ll go to your school?”
“Yeah, he’ll go to Bellwood. Tiffany will be his teacher. I made sure he got the best class in the school, didn’t I, tiger?”
“My mom says only the best for me.” My heart swells at the sweet smile from my angel .
“So you live near the school?” His voice is deep, concern dripping in his tone.
Oh, I get it now. He’s concerned because it’s in a pretty rough neighborhood. Always the protector.
“No, we live near South End. It’s easier for me to keep him at school with me.”
He seems to visibly exhale. “Oh, that makes sense.”
“Mr. Decker, are we going to see Mom’s room now?”
“One more stop.” I’m so distracted by Alexander’s captivating eyes and praying Tyler doesn’t say anything else incriminating that I’m not paying attention to where we’re going until he pulls into the parking lot of a strip mall with an assortment of stores. There’s a clothing boutique, a gourmet grocery store, and a coffee shop, and then I see it. A pet store.
What is he up to? “Why are we here?”
“Well, I thought Tyler would like to help pick out the class pet since he’s going to help care for it.” Alexander made sure to cover all the basics and now he’s spoiling me with luxury items. He puts the car in park and looks at me.
“Are you serious?” My tone is a little incredulous. Who does this guy think he is?
“What? Is this not okay?” Panic crosses his face. “Fuck, I mean, fudge.” He glances back at Tyler. “I’m sorry. You said you wanted one, and I thought that meant it was okay.”
I reach across the center console and reach for his hand. “I’d hug you, but the seat belt has other ideas,” I mumble. “This is amazing. Thank you.”
The panic subsides, and he looks relieved. He turns around and looks at Tyler, who bounces in his booster seat. “You ready to pick out your new friend?”
“I want a snake.” His eyes are wild with excitement.
We both shout "No!" at the same time. At least we agree on that.
We spend an hour looking at all the possible classroom pets. We asked the shop owner, researched online, and debated each animal’s merits with Tyler. While lizards and snakes are popular, they’re not coming into my house. We look at guinea pigs, hamsters, and even ferrets. Tyler is in heaven, playing with all the cuddly fur balls.
We finally settle on two, hopefully male, hedgehogs. My heart melts watching Tyler and Alexander playing with the adorable creatures. I won’t deny I snapped a pic and sent it to Jenny with a caption about my ovaries exploding.
I tasked the boys with selecting appropriate names. Tyler decided they looked like baseballs and asked Alexander who his favorite baseball players of all time were. We now have two hedgehogs aptly named Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle.
It’s become crystal clear Alexander does nothing halfway. After asking permission from me away from super hearing ears, he bought two identical setups, one for the classroom and one for Tyler’s room. Alexander decided we needed two hedgehogs because one just seemed lonely. The setup is a two-story condo with plenty of play areas, heat lamps, a dining room, and an easy-to-clean bathroom area. It’s over the top and completely adorable. He bought a travel case to bring them from school to home. He also bought several months’ worth of bedding, food, and treats.
The kids are going to love Joe and Mickey.
We get back to the school, and I barely recognize the place. The front landscaping is beautiful. The bushes are all trimmed up, and we've got big pots of flowers lining the walkway. The grass has some spots of sod, so it looks kind of patchy, but it'll even out.
A welcoming committee greets us at the car. Whoever said many hands m ake light work knew what they were talking about. The team empties the car in ten seconds flat.
Matt opens my door before I unbuckle my seatbelt. “I hear a special piece needs to be installed before the big reveal.” I look at him like he has two heads. What is he talking about?
“Yep, just take one set. The other is for their house.” Alexander points to the box on the back passenger floorboard. The car is packed to the brim.
Alexander helps me out of the car and stands beside Matt as he grabs the pet supplies.
“Darcy is going to flip. If you ever need a sitter, give us a call.” Matt gives me a wink, ruffles Tyler’s hair, and grabs the hedgehog condo and bag of accessories. He hands it to another guy and gently takes the box with Mickey and Joe.
Tyler’s eyes are enormous as he realizes who’s leaning in the car and rubbing his head.
“Mom! Mom! Do you know who that is?” He doesn’t even give me a chance to answer before he continues. “Mom, that’s Matt, the baseball player.” He’s in shock to see the players out of uniform and at our school. I get it because I’m still processing myself.
“Mr. Decker has the entire team here to help us get ready for school. Isn’t that amazing?” Amazing doesn’t even describe this generous gesture.
Alexander leans in to unbuckle Tyler. “Mr. Decker, can we go see Joe and Mickey now?”
“Absolutely!” He helps Tyler from his seat. That simple gesture makes my heart melt.
He looks at me with a slight smile. “Hey, if it’s okay with you, I’d prefer he not call me Mr. Decker. I keep looking over my shoulder for my dad. But I don’t want to override your wishes.”
“Oh, that’s sweet. Do you want him to call you Mr. Alex?”
He visibly shudders. “No. My friends call me Xander. Is that okay with you?”
I nod. Xander. I like it. It suits him .
He helps Tyler out of the car. “Hey bud, if it’s okay with you, why don’t you call me Xander? That’s what all the cool people call me.”
Tyler looks at me, seeking permission. He only calls a few people by their first names. I give him a nod. “Xander is a cool name.” Tyler grins from ear to ear, and Xander has one to match.
We walk into the school, Tyler in the middle, holding each of our hands. I can’t knock the smile off my face. If people saw us, I’m sure they would think we’re a family. For a brief moment, I like the idea.
Jenny greets us at that door, throws herself around Xander’s waist, and gives him a hug to end all hugs. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Her hurried words are muffled into his chest. He stiffly gives her a pat on the back, clearly uncomfortable by the spontaneous affection.
“You’re welcome.” I’m not sure why he’s awkward with Jenny, but then I hear the snickers from the guys. The entire team is lining the hall, waiting to greet their leader.
“Jenny,” I stage whisper. “Stop. You’re embarrassing him.”
She pulls away and looks guilty.
“Better than flowers any day.” She looks at Alexander and gives him a quick peck on the cheek. The team can’t hold it in any longer, and several have turned their backs on us to hide their laughter.
He needs a rescue. “Come on. I want to see what y’all have done. This place doesn’t even feel like the same school. The kids will say this place is lit.”
We walk down the hall, and the smell of fresh paint fills the air. Tyler gets a high-five from most of the guys, and when we get to Matt, he reaches down and puts Tyler on his back. Darcy greets us at my door, and everyone else gathers to watch my reaction. I feel like I’m on one of those surprise designer shows. Just then, several cell phones begin filming.
“I hope you got some amazing pictures and stories for the team’s soc ial media,” I say to one girl with a camera. I think her name is Nikki and seems to be the one coordinating today.
“No, ma’am. This wasn’t for press or marketing. It was just because. We may use the footage for our end-of-the-year recap, though.” Wow. Not that I questioned their intentions. But why wouldn’t you get credit and good press while doing a good deed? Isn’t that what most organizations do these days? The Reapers continue to surpass my expectations.
“Ready to see your room?” Darcy asks.
“Absolutely.”
“I won’t use a blindfold, but will you close your eyes for me? You too, Tyler. Hands over your eyes.” I put my hands over my eyes and feel Darcy guide me by my elbow while a large hand guides me by the small of my back.
I like the feel of his hand there. It’s the first time he’s touched me, and the sensation electrifies me. When Jenny embraced him, I admit I had violent thoughts.
“Duck, buddy,” Matt instructs Tyler.
“Okay, you can look!” Darcy proclaims.
I first notice the bright yellow walls, full of sunshine and fun. Dandelion yellow? How did she do it? She transformed the drab room into a place of happiness and joy. The contrasting color is black. Not what I would have picked. It’s the opposite of the sunny yellow, but it makes the yellow pop. I love it! Gauzy white curtains drape the windows, giving the room a feeling of lightness and air. A gorgeous white desk is in the corner, with a large black swivel chair. I sit in the chair and spin around. The plush velvet envelopes me in a soft caress.
“While I wanted a white chair, I figured black was a little more childproof,” Darcy comments.
“Absolutely. White is a no-go color in elementary school.”
“I’ve never designed a classroom, but I hope it’s okay. I tried to keep it as washable and child friendly as I could. This wall is whiteboard paint so that you can write on it. ”
I see the Erin Condren gift card on my desk and squeal. I haven’t ordered my planner and can get all the upgrades with this. I’ll buy Jenny’s too. I look at Darcy, and she gives me a shrug, signaling me to go with it.
I get up and walk around, needing it to take it all in. The desks are sharp black tables for two, with yellow chairs, a perfect size for third graders. Each chair has a Reapers book bag that looks so full it can barely zip. I run my hand over it and try to pick it up. It must weigh thirty pounds.
“Every seat in the school has the same book bag filled with supplies, including a Chromebook or tablet for the younger kids,” Alexander says.
“Each child gets a computer?” I’m stunned—five-hundred computers, just like that. The cost and the speed at which this happened aren’t lost on me. This guy lives in a different world than me. Cinderella, remember? I had my moment. This world where we spend time together and have a happily ever after? Yeah, I may be a glass-half-full girl, but I’m not delusional. My life isn’t a Hallmark movie.
“Yeah, they’re preloaded with age-appropriate apps so they can work on homework and won’t need help if their parents can’t be there for them.”
The amount of money spent today is more than the entire school budget for ten years. The generosity is overwhelming.
I take another moment to look at the details of the room. Bees adorn the walls, dotted lines showing their journey around the room to each station. I follow the bees, my hand trailing along to touch every fabric, label, and detail. The bees pull the yellow and black theme together perfectly. The room has a high-end designer touch but doesn’t feel like a look, don’t touch space. That’s good, considering the kids don’t believe in that concept.
As I wander around the room, I come to the reading corner. The large, black, plush area rug is nicer than anything I’ve ever had in my house. I lean down and run my hand across the silky fibers. I wa nt to curl up on it and never leave. Three walls of low shelves surround the area, packed full. There must be hundreds of books here. I try to read some titles, but the freely flowing tears blur my vision. Xander leads me to the bright yellow whisper glide rocker and encourages me to sit.
He kneels in front of me, concern filling his face. “You okay? You’re leaking again.” He reaches up and brushes a tear away. “I’m sorry if I made you cry.”
“No more apologies, remember?” I’m overwhelmed. I take a deep breath and give him my best smile.
“So, do you like it?”
I nod my head several times. “No words.”
He graces me with the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, making him even more handsome. He goes to cup my cheek and pauses. That little motion might as well have been a slap across the face. It’s a reminder I’m the victim. I need to get back to reality.
I take a deep breath, gather myself, and check out the rest of the room. Darcy used the space efficiently and practically, making even the messy coat area look like a designer showcase. Although it’s hotter than Hades outside, several coats already hang there. The sign above the coat rack says, “Need a coat? Take a coat.” She thought of everything.
The supply closet bursts at the seams with all the items we bought from Costco.
Tyler is on another area rug under the big window at the side of the room. He’s rolling on the floor, his giggles bouncing off the walls while he plays with Joe and Mickey.
“Look, Mom! They like running in their balls.” We got them extra large hamster balls so they could roam freely without getting injured in the classroom. They can also serve as carriers in an emergency.
“I see. Do they like their house?”
“I think so,” he says, clearly enamored with the fur balls.
I turn to Darcy, Alexander, Matt, and the rest of the crowd gathered in the room and lingering out in the hall .
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. When I got out of bed this morning, at a time much earlier than I would have liked, might I add, I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams my school, my students,” I look at Tyler and take a steadying breath, “my kid would be blessed like this by a bunch of hot baseball players.” The room erupts in laughter. I shake my head in embarrassment. “Hot pepper baseball players. You know what I meant. Don’t let it go to your heads.” They all laugh even harder.
“Thank you doesn’t begin to express my gratitude. You guys have no idea how much you guys have touched these student’s lives these kids’ lives this year. Like it or not, you have five hundred kiddos you just adopted. Thanks for stepping up.”
Some guys high-five each other. Others are clearly humbled by the kids we teach.
“Hey, there’s a catered lunch in the cafeteria for everyone. You guys earned a cheat day,” Alexander addresses the group. His boss persona takes over. His smile is gone, his tone serious. “Good job. See you at the field tomorrow.”
Guys file past one by one and thank me. I can’t believe they’re thanking me. They did all the work today.
“Ms. Dani.” One player stops to shake my hand. He’s handsome, and his smile is the kind that toothpaste companies pay millions to use in their ads. Maybe that’s why he looks a little familiar. I feel bad I don’t know all the players by name, but I vow to write each of them a personal thank-you note.
“I had a teacher like you when I was little. She saved my life. Literally. I want you to know you may not see the fruit from the seeds you plant and tend, but they’re out there. Thank you for what you do.”
I wrap my arms around him and give him the biggest, hardest hug of my life. This guy, who must have had a rough childhood, grew up to play in the MLB. He wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a teacher. He didn’t forget .
As I pull away, I realize I don’t know his name. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”
Xander steps beside him and puts his hand on his shoulder, pulling him back a step. “This is Luis Rodriquez. Future Hall of Famer and star of the Reapers outfield.”
“Well, Luis, I’m your new number-one fan. Thanks for being here today.”
“I’ll be back,” he says. “Even more after the season. I know some schools have room mothers. Well, I can’t be claiming that dad thing, too much swagger for that, so I’ll be your room Tio ,” he teases. “But I’ll be glad to help any way I can.”
“I’ll take you up on it, Luis. Thanks!”
I need a moment alone before I embarrass myself further. “Hey, Tyler, do you want to go with Luis and see what they have for lunch? I’ll be there in a few minutes. You can introduce him to Jenny.” I look at Luis to see if he’s okay with my request, and his smile lights up the room. He gives me a slight nod and a wink. I know I can trust him with Tyler.
“Can I bring Joe and Mickey?” Tyler asks.
Alexander glances at me and notices I’m about to lose my composure again. He squats down to talk to Tyler. “That might be too much excitement for them. I’ll put them in their house and let them chill for a bit before you go home. Will that be okay?”
Tyler screws up his mouth as he thinks about the options. He looks from the hedgehogs to Luis’s outstretched hand. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
Tyler takes Luis’s hand, and they head out of the room. I have a feeling Tyler went from having my dad as his only male role model to an entire MLB team in the blink of an eye.
Alexander puts the hedgehogs in their elaborate habitat, softly rubbing their backs as he gently sets them in the dining room of their multilevel condo. He follows through on what he says he’ll do. He’s giving me a minute to get myself together .
I take a deep breath and turn in a full circle where I’m standing to recenter myself. When I see Alexander, he’s staring at me intensely. “They’re adorable.” He’s adorable, I think. I didn’t say that out loud, did I? “Thank you. I know this wasn’t some coincidence and random Reaper outreach.”
He looks at me sheepishly. “When I say it was my pleasure, I mean it. I can’t remember when I had this much fun getting my cherry popped at a warehouse store.”
I laugh so hard I snort. So there’s that. I’m a snorter. Classy, right?
“Well, it was unnecessary, but very much appreciated. Thank you.”
I want to hug him like Jenny did. I want to wrap my arms around him and feel his body next to mine. But I know if I do, I may not let go. And I can’t let myself believe it’s anything other than the kind and very generous gesture of a guy who feels bad for the victim of an assault.
“You’re welcome.”
We stand frozen, both unsure of what we should do next.
“Hey Dani, we’re headed out,” Darcy calls from the doorway, breaking our awkward, strange standoff. “I’ve got a few things that didn’t come in before today, so I’ll drop them off next week. Is that okay?”
“What? Um, yeah. Absolutely. Thanks again, Darcy. It’s just perfect.”
“I’m glad you like it.” She looks around the room and lands back on me and Alexander. “Yep. I think it suits you perfectly. A lot of sunshine tempered with a little darkness to keep it interesting. Very balanced. Can’t wait to see if I’m right.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t mind her. Told you, color mumbo jumbo. Bye, boss. Bye, Dani. Hope to see you and Tyler at the ballpark again,” Matt calls as he pulls Darcy away.
“I’d better go check on Tyler. ”
“Yeah, I have a feeling we might need to rescue Jenny from Luis,” Alexander says.
He puts his hand on the small of my back to lead me to the school cafeteria, and it’s the best feeling I’ve had in forever.
“Oh, I’m sure Jenny is just fine. It’s Luis we may need to worry about.”