For the Love of Miss Bard
By Croaven
See Disclaimer Part One
Part Two
Kathryn was up bright and early. She was looking forward to the day. She decided to wear a rusty gold sweater with a pair of brown slacks. Her hair was easier to comb since she cut it short last year. She liked the style, felt it made her look a bit more mature. She headed out the door at seven-ten.
"Beep, beep, beep" the alarm sounded. Alex slammed her hand on top of the clock radio silencing the loud irritant. She pulled herself out of bed and went to Sam's room to find Sam wide away and searching for her clothes.
"You up already" Alex spoke hoarsely.
"Come on mommy time for school." Sam said with such eagerness.
"OK, OK, let's get you ready and then some breakfast." Alex replied with a yawn.
The pair headed out the door at seven-forty-five and made it to the school by seven-fifty-five.
"I'll see you in a little bit." Alex said as she kneeled down to adjust Sam's sweater and kiss her goodbye. Sam walked into her classroom.
Alex went back home to do a couple of reports and go over some of her worker's reports checking for errors and misused medical terms. She spent most of her time working until it was time to pick up Sam.
Miss Bard was finishing up her lesson before releasing the children. One by one she had to pin a little note on each child with information for their parents. "OK class looks like everyone has a note attached to them, so lets line up like I taught you and get ready to go outside." The class was very eager to get out as was Miss Bard.
Alex was standing the in same spot as before. Miss Bard saw her immediately and found herself unable to tear her eyes away. She let out big smile not hiding her joy at seeing Sam's mom. She felt a warmth in her chest as the smile was enthusiastically returned.
Parents again claiming their children as Miss Bard released them. "Hi," she directed toward Alex. "So did you run yesterday?" Miss Bard asked remembering how she over-watered her lawn.
"No, I run usually on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, my mom comes over and watches Sam for me." I wonder if she likes running. She's in awesome shape.
"I'm not really a runner, I work-out with the punching bag, kick boxing and some weights." That's why I didn't see her yesterday.
"I hear kick boxing is a real workout," Alex said.
"You interested in trying it sometime?" Miss Bard asked with raised eyebrows and a hint of a challenge.
"I don't know, maybe. Where do you go to work out?"
"Well, I used to go to a gym in Washington, but now I have everything set up at home."
"Washington?" Alex questioned curiously.
Miss Bard was just about to speak when Tracy's dad interrupted her. "Yea, so... Miss Bard I was ah, wonderin' if you'd go over some of this information with me" He showed her the paper she had pinned on Tracy's chest. It was a census sheet that the school forgot to send out with the general package.
Alex could have sworn she saw a bit of disappointment in Miss Bard's face. "Well, we'll see you tomorrow. Sam say goodbye to your teacher." She said not really wanting to leave so hastily.
"Goodbye you two." Miss Bard waved then turned to give her attention to Frank. OK, I am the teacher, pull yourself together. She thought as she focused on the parent before her.
The rest of the week went by rather smoothly. Miss Bard missed seeing Alex on Wednesday and Thursday. She had to meet with the hospital and clinic that she transcribes for, so her mother picked up Sam on both days.
On Friday Alex found she missed seeing the lovely kindergarten teacher. She eagerly walked to the school to pick up her daughter.
As the students came out of room twenty-one, Alex felt her heart quicken, Miss Bard came out holding Sam's hand, they were both smiling. Alex liked the picture she saw. I can't believe I have such a crush on Sam's teacher. She thought.
Miss Bard wanted to talk to Alex but found it difficult due to the other parents and children surrounding her.
Alex hugged Sammy and briefly said hello to the teacher but realized that was about the extent of it. She waved and the pair walked away leaving Miss Bard in the realm of questions, praises, and school gossip.
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Finally Wednesday came around and Alex would be volunteering in Sam's classroom. She was really excited and felt like she was going to a new job. She really hadn't worked outside her home since Sam was born. She liked the feeling of something different.
Sam was just as excited. "You're coming in later right mommy?" Samantha asked as her mom walked her to her classroom.
"Yep, I'll be here honey, love you."
At nine-forty-five, Alex drove back to the school and as she walked into the classroom, Miss Bard was showing the class some cards with pictures on them. They were naming the colors.
Miss Bard was sitting on a little chair and the class was seated on the floor with their legs crossed.
"Hi" Miss Bard said with a big smile.
The students turned to see Alex standing in the doorway.
"Hi mommy" Sam yelled out.
"Class this is Mrs., Ms., Miss Trout?" All of a sudden Miss Bard wasn't sure of the title. She looked at Alex hesitantly.
"Just call me Alex."
"Ok, class this is Alex, she's Samantha's mom."
"Let's give her a good morning welcome," Miss Bard said.
She lead the class first then they joined in unison, "Good morning Alex."
Alex couldn't help but laugh, "Good morning class."
Miss Bard called Alex over to where she was standing. "How about reading the class a story, while I set up the work stations?"
"Sure, what did you have in mind?"
Miss Bard walked over to the little bookshelf and selected a book for Alex to read.
"Here, this is a fun one."
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar," Alex read the title of the book Miss Bard was holding.
Miss Bard opened the book and held the bottom with the front facing the students. "Here, when you read, take your time so that everyone could see the pictures."
Alex grinned, "I think I can handle that," she then placed both of her hands under Miss Bard's, to take the book.
Miss Bard felt a charge of electricity at the sudden touch of Alex's hands. Alex felt it too. She looked into the teacher's eyes and desperately held back a sigh.
Miss Bard let the book go and breathed in, "I'll um, be over there," her words stumbled.
Alex let out her breath as soon as Miss Bard turned to walk away. The students were sitting waiting for their story to begin.
"Mommy, aren't you gonna read to us," Sam spoke up.
"Oh… yea… sorry," Alex suddenly realized she had an audience.
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle" She began as she seated herself on the floor.
Miss Bard was at the other end of the classroom putting picture cards on the table.
Holy smokes, what was that, I don't know if I can concentrate with her this close to me. Kathryn thought to herself. Ok, just try not to think of how beautiful…Kathryn looked over to the front of the class. Alex's raven colored hair was pulled over to one side, it shone with such darkness that all the colors around her were faded and dulled. Except for her eyes. They sparkled like two diamonds resting in a pool of blue. Kathryn felt a lump in her throat.
"And on Wednesday he ate through three plums, but what?" She read and asked the class.
"He was still hungry," some of the students answered.
Alex laughed out loud. She occasionally looked up to see Miss Bard, who had stopped what she was doing to listen to the rest of the story. It was hard for her not look at the kindergarten teacher and focus on the students at hand.
Finally she came to the end of the story. "He built a small house, called a cocoon, around himself. He stayed inside for more than two weeks. Then he nibbled a hole in the cocoon, pushed his way out and…he was." Alex read the last, then spoke it while looking at Miss Bard, "a beautiful butterfly."
Miss Bard let out a sigh.
The class cheered.
Miss Bard walked to the front of the class and placed her hand on Alex's shoulder. "That was great," she said.
Alex smiled, "Thanks."
"Ok, boys and girls, we are going to divide the class and work in two work stations," Miss Bard explained. She called out ten of the students and assigned them to table one, which was her table. Then the remaining ten went to table two, which would be Alex's table.
"Alex, you can sit here on the big chair" Miss Bard showed Alex the chair which wasn't really that big. If she did sit on it, she wouldn't be able to put her knees under the desk. They looked at each other and started laughing.
"Why don't I just sit on the floor," Alex suggested.
"Great idea" Miss Bard replied.
Alex sat on the floor with her legs crossed. She put them under the desk. She was just the right size now. Miss Bard stood behind her. She put one of her hands on Alex's shoulder and leaned in to show her cards that were on the table with pictures of animals on them.
Miss Bard swallowed, she could feel her heart racing, "this is called um…animal phonics, we are just going to learn the first three. If you will, go over each sound and hand motion. Like this ah ah alligator" she motioned her hands like the mouth of an alligator. Then she showed her how to do the letters, B, and C. boy that was…something. She thought.
"Sounds easy enough," Alex said. Hmm she smells good.
The students worked on their assignments while both Alex and the teacher supervised them. every so often glancing at each other.
Sam sat next to her mommy. "Mommy, can I get a drink of water?"
"Sure honey."
Sam got up out of her seat and went to the sink to drink some water from the drinking attachment. Then she went back to the table. She stood behind her mommy and stroked the back of Alex's hair. "Miss Bard, doesn't my mommy have pretty hair?" Sam called to her teacher at the other table.
Miss Bard looked up at Alex. "Yes she does, she has beau-ti-ful hair." And beautiful eyes, and…stop.
"Sam why don't you sit down and let's work on our letter C." Alex said. She looked at Miss Bard and shook her head with a hint of a smile. That kid of mine.
At ten-forty-five Miss Bard asked the children to start cleaning up so they can go to recess.
Once everything was put away, the students lined up and headed outside to play. Miss Bard stood at the door and watched the children head out to the play area.
"How are they doing?" Alex asked as she walked up to the smaller woman.
"Well, its just the beginning, we're working on the very basics, we started with the pledge of allegiance. The animal phonics takes a while because it's broken down, but eventually they'll learn all of it."
"Boy you have to have a lot of patience." I doubt if I have that much with twenty kids.
"I've been teaching for a while now, but you just never know what's going to come up." Miss Bard said as they headed outside to the play area.
"Mommy will you push us on the swing?"
"Sure honey. " Alex said as she walked over to the swings with the two little girls on either side of her hands.
Some of the little boys were riding the tricycles. Miss Bard walked over to them and watched them play.
The class had recess for about fifteen minutes. Miss Bard called them all in. It took a bit longer as each student wanted to get a drink of water.
"Ok, boys and girls, we are going read another story. Alex is going to help with this story. We are going to learn about up and down." Miss Bard said as she opened the book she would read.
Alex helped with a couple more activities until it was time for her to leave. "Sam, I'll be back in a little bit ok." Alex whispered to Sam.
"So how'dya, like working with the children?" Miss Bard asked.
"It was kinda fun. Do they usually attach themselves to you." Alex was surprised at the way the children would huddle around her and grab her hands or touch her hair.
"You get used to it, the girls especially, they like to play with long hair. My hair was really long last year and the girls were always stroking it." Miss Bard said as she reached over and touched Alex's hair.
"Just the little girls huh?" Alex said with a grin.
"Sorry, your hair is beautiful, I couldn't resist" Miss Bard blushed.
"Don't worry, it doesn't bother me." I can get to like this. Alex chuckled. "Sam is always running her little fingers through my hair. I was thinking about the kick boxing." Alex started.
"Yea, it's a really great workout." Miss Bard found herself interrupting before she realized what she was doing. "If you're interested, maybe I could show you a few things?"
The students were becoming louder, Miss Bard picked up her bell and rang it, and the children began to put their hands on top of their heads.
"Maybe…" Alex grinned.
Miss Bard had to return to being the teacher because the class could only keep their hands on their heads for a brief moment before they started up again.
Alex looked at her and already knew she wanted to see her outside the classroom. She sighed, "OK, I'll see you later."
"Class let's tell Alex thank you for helping today."
"Thank you Alex." The class said unison.
"Your very welcome." Alex said with a wave. Then she walked out the door letting out a big breath of air. She's something. Whew! What should I do for thirty-minutes?
It was just a few minutes past twelve when Alex returned. Miss Bard was standing at the fence with Sam and two other children.
"There's your mommy" Miss Bard said to Sam.
"Hey, I went to the store." Alex said with a huff.
"So what about the kick boxing?" Miss Bard asked with a gleam in her hazel eyes. "It's a great work-out, different from the same old running." Don't try so hard, she looks interested.
"Ok, but it has to be on a Monday, Wednesday or…"
"I know Friday. How about tonight, you know where I live, just come over around the time you were going to run." Miss Bard said with great enthusiasm. "Your gonna love this."
"I'm sure I will." Alex said feeling an incandescent heat come over her.
"I'll see you this evening then about six." Alex said while claiming Sam's hand. "Come on sweetheart let's go get some lunch." Kick boxing oh boy.
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Alex left the house as usual. She didn't tell her mom she was going to Miss Bard's house to exercise. She jogged her regular route around the long block but didn't go onto the track. She figured kickboxing wouldn't be that difficult, just kicking, and jumping around, maybe.
"Ding dong." The doorbell rang. Alex could hear music coming from inside the house. Maybe she didn't hear the bell. Just as Alex was going to press the button, the door opened.
"Hey, you made it" Kathryn spoke gleefully.
"Why wouldn't I" Alex returned.
Kathryn was wearing red boxing shorts with a white tank top. She had a headband on which made Alex think of Olivia Newton John in the video Physical.
"Let's get physical." She sang out with one arched eyebrow.
Kathryn looked herself up and down. "Funny, ha, ha. Come inside."
Alex was wearing a blue jogging sweat suit. "So what are you going to do to me Miss Bard." Alex asked with a rather seductive tone.
Kathryn gulped. She felt a rush of heat run up her entire body. "Hey, we're not in school. Call me Kathryn." She stuttered trying to regain her composure.
"Is that what your friends call you, Kath-ryn" Alex said slowly as if tasting the name.
"Well, my very good friends just call me Kat… who knows, maybe I'll let you call me that one day." She spoke teasingly.
"I could only wish." Alex whispered back.
The two women went out to the back patio where Kathryn had a mini gym set up. She had some free weights seated on a black mat on the floor. A punching back that hung from the patio rooftop and a universal machine.
"Wow, I guess you take your workout pretty seriously." Alex said. Maybe I shouldn'ta run over here. "You will be gentle won'tcha." Alex tried to sound panicky.
"Hmm, we'll see." Kathryn said as her eyes sparkled.
Kathryn demonstrated her stretching techniques which Alex repeated. They then began a simple front kick, then a sidekick. It wasn't much of a challenge for Alex. Which Kathryn noted, so she demonstrated some other kicks and some punches. They lasted about thirty minutes. Alex ended up taking her sweat top off leaving her in a black tank top that matched her hair. At the end of the session, both women were drenched in sweat.
"I'll get us some water." Kathryn said as she walked into the house. On the way back outside, she watched Alex hit the bag a few times. Her shoulders were blazing and her long raven-hair glistening with sweat. Damn, I wonder if she knows how sexy she looks. Ok get hold of your self. "Here." She handed Alex a glass of water.
"Thanks." Alex drank the water as if she had been wandering the desert for days. "That's good. You have a really nice set up here." She said in between breaths.
"I just moved in during the summer. I stayed with my dad until I found a place near the school. I like it."
"Yea, you said you lived in Washington?" Alex asked as she patted her self with the towel Kathryn handed her.
"Yea, Vancouver, I lived there since I was about ten. My mom," Kathryn paused trying to get the word out, "died last year and I wanted to be near my dad."
"I'm really sorry." Alex responded empathetically. "My father past away last August. It changes you forever."
"I know what you mean. Sometimes I... pick up the phone and start dialing to call my mom," she hesitated, "then I remember she's not here anymore." Kathryn's eyes began to water. Don't cry.
Alex saw it coming. "Hey, its ok." She reached out for Kathryn.
The young teacher felt a force pull her toward the taller woman she needed the embrace and at that moment both women knew they had found a friend.
Alex held tightly to Kathryn for what seemed like both seconds and an eternity. She suddenly felt a protective feeling like the kind when Sam is scared or hurt, she knew she wanted to protect this woman, she wasn't sure why, she just knew.
Kathryn broke away first. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to..." She said a bit uneasily.
Alex smiled and placed her hands on Kathryn's shoulders. "No, don't apologize. When my father died, I couldn't cry. I don't know why, I wanted to, but he always said not to be sad when he goes. I knew he was ok." She struggled with her words. "My family thought I was crazy for not crying, they didn't understand, but I just couldn't."
The two women stood quietly for a moment, taking in what just happened.
"Alex."
"Hmm."
"You're so easy to talk to."
Alex let out a laugh. "You think so?"
"Yea, you make me feel very…"
"Comfortable." Alex finished her sentence.
"Yea." Kathryn grinned.
"Well, Kath-ry-n, so do you."
"Alex."
"Yea."
"Call me Kat." Kathryn said with a smile.
"Kat." Alex said as she capriciously poked at Kathryn's midsection.
"Hey." Kathryn giggled.
"I gotta get back. My mother is probably wondering what happened to me." Alex said like a teenager late from curfew. "What are you doing Friday?"
"Actually I'm having dinner at my dad's house, but I can cancel, why what'da have in mind?" Kathryn asked with a hint of excitement.
"Well, I figured since I worked out with you, you could run a bit with me."
"Oh, um..."
"What." Alex asked.
"I was hoping you were going to invite me to a movie or something. I'm really not a runner."
"Oh, you're not huh? Well Sam is going to spend the night with grandma, so I guess I could probably...well...maybe skip a day of running." She said trying not too sound interested.
"You'd give up one day for me." Kathryn replied as she stood up on her toes and leaned her head toward Alex's like a child on the verge of getting her way.
She is just so darn cute. Alex felt so at ease, she wrapped her arms around Kathryn and gave her a hug. "Come on, walk me out."