Fatal Attraction (Dark Desires 4)

Even Shelia showed genuine concern for me when I recounted a shorter version of what had happened.

Braleen, on the other hand, was not shy at all about finding out what happened to him.

“You got shot?” She asked as soon as the parents were gone. “Cool, I want to see.”

Out of all the kids, I would have thought the boys would be the ones who’d want to see the wound. Nope, a tiny little girl in bright pink bows. He doesn’t show her of course but it is the cutest inquiry I’ve seen in a while.

I’m on hiatus from the school after the incident. I decided to take some personal time and I’ve built up so much vacation and sick days I could be out for a couple of months. I have the meanies substituting for me and I hope my students are okay.

I want to check in but then that would be considered work, and I’m staying away from it for now.

Charlie is getting ready to lift his guitar for the first time since he completed physical therapy. I wanted him to try by himself, but he said doing it in front of the kids will help him motivate. A new student to the class sits by me and watches in anticipation.

Paulie is a really nice man and someone Charlie says he’s known forever. Paulie wants to learn to play so Charlie said he’d easily be able to teach him with the kids. He sits waiting with as much anticipation as I have.

“Here goes nothing,” Charlie says and lifts the guitar putting the strap around his head. So far so good. He adjusts and then plays a chord. I look at his face for any signs of pain, but he seems to be doing okay.

He starts teaching the class and I just observe. Paulie joins the kids in lessons and seems to be a natural. The class goes by and Charlie plays just like he used to. A couple of times he takes the guitar down and stretches, but I think that’s normal.

He’s been off the heavy painkillers for a couple of weeks. It made recording a little tricky because they made him so sleepy. It was another good reason for me to be off work. I needed to make sure we could get the album done. It was a miracle we pulled it off. Twelve songs and Bring on the Water was going to be our first single if it came to that. We were able to mix in my students singing and the song just sounds amazing.

The parents come to pick up their kids and we play some songs for Paulie. I’m enjoying getting to know him.

Charlie’s phone rings and he looks at it. His eyebrows raise and I wait to see if it’s something from Thomas.

“Wait, dad, say that again.” He puts the phone on speaker phone and I hear an older man with a loud voice. He speaks every word very clearly and it’s obvious he’s angry.

“Your little girlfriend’s dad. He came up here with some jackass. He tried to beat me up in my own freaking office. I sent his ass to jail. He’s in jail. I don’t want you around her, do you hear me.”

Charlie smiles at me as he hangs the phone up. “Now we’re even I guess. Both our dads forbid us to be together.”

“You know what they say about forbidden love,” Paulie says laughing. “I’m going to go and give you kids some privacy.

As soon as he goes out, Thomas comes in.

“I’ve got your albums guys. They turned out really good.”

Lila is right behind him waving one around in the air. “I want to be the first to get your autographs. As soon as my man finds you the right record company, you two are going to be unstoppable.”

I look at the album. It feels surreal. Sarah, my student, designed the covers for us. Her dream is to be a graphic designer. Not a singer. She made a design with a C and an A intertwined and incorporated water. It’s a gorgeous cover, a gorgeous collection of songs, and a gorgeous couple if I do say so myself.

“I’ll autograph it Lila, but we’re not going to get our hopes up.”

“I am,” Charlie says. “My hopes are up for us baby. We’re going to have the lives people only dream about.”

“As long as we’re together, we’re already there,” I tell him.

Lila squeals and Thomas makes a gagging sound.

“You never know,” I say, but I am truly just happy being with him and our friends. Right now, the world is perfect.

After everyone’s gone and we’re home in bed I wonder truly what our future holds.

“Are you happy?” I ask Charlie as he puts his phone down and rolls over to hold me.

“Very happy,” he says and I slide myself down his body to kiss his stomach. I want to try to make him happy with my mouth. I’m still so inexperienced and curious.

“You’re not doing that tonight my dear. I’m making love to you and then we’re going to cuddle all day tomorrow.”