Fullness Of Life Ch. 02
Keywords: Life, Of, Fullness, 02, Ch.,
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She could not help but believe they were linked so many years before.
She was happy and relieved when he called that afternoon. She was nervous and jumpy the entire day waiting for it. He was constantly on her mind after he left and she found it difficult to concentrate when she graded her student's papers later in the evening. She tried not to worry, but she secretly hoped he would call her before she went to bed. And she was sadly disappointed when he didn't.
Melanie sighed as she sat on the couch. Looking back at her feelings when it got later and later without the call, she knew she was kidding herself. This wasn't just about liking someone and caring for him. She was falling for him. It was as simple as that. When the realization hit her, she sat back and laughed lightly. "Well," she giggled, "it finally happened."
For the next hour, she argued within herself about her feelings, trying to persuade herself she couldn't be in love with him that soon. Melanie questioned herself about every aspect of their relationship thus far. Normally, she felt she was a cautious, level-headed person; one who didn't get caught up in fairy tale, romantic nonsense. She certainly wasn't looking for romance when he appeared at her door, nor was it love at first sight for her. He was nice looking, certainly, and his features pleased her, but he wasn't someone who made her jaw drop and salivate. But, he grew on her quickly nonetheless and no matter how hard she tried to rationalize against her innermost feelings, it was plain to see she was losing the battle and she knew it was useless to fight it. Melanie would now embrace it, welcome it, and ride it out for however long it would last. And she hoped it would last for a few more centuries.
A funny thing happened on the way to the superintendent's office, thought Dan as he drove away from the school. His first two days had gone well. His classes were pretty close to where they should have been and the students were actually pretty well behaved and attentive. He turned in his resignation to the principal that Monday morning along with a copy for the superintendent and the board. It went without fanfare and he didn't tell any of his faculty friends. When the principal called him Tuesday afternoon to tell him the superintendent wanted to see him, he was mildly surprised. He wasn't expecting a meeting and figured his resignation would be accepted and he would be notified of that.
Once at the board of education, he found Dr. Nichols' office easily. He had been there before. Dr. John Nichols was an imposing man whose education and background dwarfed many learned persons. He was fully six and a half feet tall and close to three hundred pounds. His deep, thundering bass voice scared most people and that was when he was being pleasant. Dan's only previous dealings with him was during the parking lot mess and it was not a pleasant experience for him.
"Come in, Dan," he commanded when Dan appeared at his door. Dan came in quietly and sat down in a chair in front of Nichols' desk.
"What is this?" he asked, pushing a copy of the resignation towards him.
"My resignation," Dan answered politely.
"I can see that, Dan," Nichols said impatiently. "Why are you resigning?"
"I received a better offer."
"Where, may I ask."
"Midwest City, Oklahoma."
"Did they offer you more money?"
"No, in fact, they're offering me about half of what I'm making here," he replied.
"How is that a better offer? Forgive me, math wasn't one of my best subjects, but how did you receive a better offer when you'll receive half the salary?" Nichols sat back in his plush leather chair, his fingers tapping on the desk in front of him.
"It's called peace of mind. I haven't had much of that around here lately."
"Peace of mind? At least we let you keep your job," he said, alluding to his suspension.
"How gracious of you," Dan said sarcastically. He didn't know where this was heading, but he was tiring of it. "A three day suspension for protecting myself and dozens of students was very gratifying. Thank you so much."
"If you hate it here so much, why don't you quit today?" Nichols asked, his voice becoming more threatening. Dan refused to be goaded into quitting at that time. If he quit, he would be ineligible for unemployment benefits during the final weeks of the school term.
"No, thank you. I believe I'll continue until the end of the school year, as stated in the letter." Dan sat back and smiled.
Nichols smiled malevolently and opened a folder in front of him. "Your performance has slipped since your unfortunate incident, Dan."
"I still received good marks," Dan replied.
"Did Midwest City see your evaluations?"
"No."
"Do they know about your suspension?"
"Yes, they do. In fact, they were very sympathetic and couldn't understand how it could happen."
"Why don't you just quit now and avoid the embarrassment of being fired?" he asked quietly.
"Fired? It seems like an awfully drastic measure to take against someone who merely wants to resign after the school year, don't you think?" Dan couldn't believe Nichols was that stupid.
"What would Midwest City think of their new teacher being fired for sub par performance?"
Dan laughed. Nichols seethed.
"You're an idiot," Dan said, still laughing, "if you think they give a damn about your worthless evaluations. They know what kind of teacher I am and they have my credentials. Nothing you can say or do will affect that." Dan shook his head, still laughing at the audacity of his boss.
"You leave me no choice, Dan," he said. "We've tried to help you and you've basically spit in our face. Your contract is terminated, effective immediately."
"For what? Resigning?" Dan's voice was starting to rise as his temper was growing. Usually, he was meek under these circumstances, but now he just didn't care.
"For insubordination." He pushed the termination papers to Dan and he snatched them without looking.
"For calling you an idiot? You are unbelievable! I'm sorry if you can't handle someone disagreeing with you, but I feel sorry for this school system and the other teachers if you continue to be in charge. You're nothing but an egotistical lunatic who can't stand the thought of being disagreed with. Thank you for firing me. I will enjoy the next month collecting unemployment at your expense." Dan stood to leave.
"Good luck with getting any benefits, Dan. After I'm through with my report, you won't get a penny!" Nichols smiled sweetly, but showed no warmth.
It was Dan's turn to smile. He had taken precautions because he had a feeling things could turn ugly. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small tape recorder. "You can write anything you want, Nichols," Dan said coldly, "but I have the truth right in here." He pointed to the recorder and to the termination papers. He then turned and left without looking back.
Dan closed the door behind him softly. Trembling and a bit scared, he walked away from the office and to his car. As he sat in his car, he thought about his immediate future. His rent was paid through May even though there was a few days left in April. Financially, he was in sound shape and on solid ground. His savings account was healthy enough to cover his expenses for the next few months, with or without unemployment compensation. If worse came to worse, he had some stock he could sell. He took out the paperwork given him by Nichols and read it thoroughly. He smiled. He was free and he could go back to Oklahoma whenever his affairs were in order. He estimated it would take him at least two or three weeks to take care of everything before he could begin his move. His heartbeat quickened as the drumbeats within his soul began to roll. He was going home.
Blackhawk took his customary walk that Wednesday evening. He decided to go into the more rural regions to clear his mind and for a change of scenery. The sky was clear and star lit, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees lining his chosen path. He had not had any visions recently, but that was nothing unusual. Sometimes, he could go weeks without seeing anything. His thoughts moved to his people, as it always did. Things had been running smoothly throughout the reservation and Blackhawk thanked Meneto daily for His blessing. At the tribal council meeting the previous evening, his deputies had reported only minor problems and the citizens had very few complaints. His announcement of Dan's pending employment was well received and he was pleased. He wished it was always this peaceful.
With his walking stick to help him, Blackhawk continued his slow, methodical pace deep in thought. Soon, his mind was open and free and he put himself in a light trance, still conscious about his surroundings. Nothing appeared for a few minutes and Blackhawk thought it would be another empty night. He began to bring himself back when a hazy picture began to appear before him. Surprised, he allowed the image to come to him. A few minutes later, it was finished and Blackhawk stopped walking. Looking up at the sky, tears fell from his eyes as he sighed. "She will be happy," he said softly before he turned and began his journey home.
She dreamed of Dan that night, her first ever of him. Melanie was having a rough time with him being gone. She never thought it would be this hard on her. Her body ached to hold him and to be held and her lips needed his soft kiss. She foolishly wondered if others had felt this way when their loved one was away. When he didn't call for a few days, Melanie was tempted to call him, but she let the temptation glide past. She knew he was busy and she didn't want him to think of her as a needy, immature woman who had to be in touch with him constantly. Damn, she missed him!
Maybe that was why her first dream of him was of them making love to each other. She could feel each kiss, every tingle from his touch, and every thrust as she accepted him inside her own quivering flesh.
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Keywords: Life, Of, Fullness, 02, Ch.,