Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(87)

Trish was hesitant at first. What else was new? But I was ultimately able to break her and we all made our way to Flanagan’s.

“I’ll get the first round. What do you hos want?” I asked when we had settled at a high top table by the jukebox.

“Just water for me,” Trish declared. “I don’t want to drink before the concert.”

I stared at her. “Are you f*cking with me right now?”

She drew back in her seat a little at my abrasiveness.

“Trish, the concert is the reason I’m drinking. Are you really going to toast to our spring break with water?” I was incredulous. Had I taught this girl nothing?

“But we’re going back to the school in a couple hours. I don’t want to smell like alcohol.”

“So pop in a Tic Tac and keep it moving,” Tina interjected. “I’ll take a vodka and cran, by the way.”

“No one’s telling you to get plowed. But you’re off the clock; you can have a drink or two if you want one. So, what’ll it be?” I leaned my hip against the table, daring her to say the word water again.

“Okay fine, you win,” Trish released with a breath.

“I normally do.”

“I’ll have an appletini.”

“Now you’re talking. Be right back.” I went to the bar and ordered our drinks, deciding on a Tequila Sunrise for myself, in honor of not seeing another sunrise for ten days. When I arrived back at the table, I saw Trish gesturing wildly with her hands while Tina seemed to be taking calming breaths. “What’s up?” I asked cautiously.

“Why don’t you tell your mentor what you were just explaining to me, Trish,” Tina said patronizingly.

Thankfully, Trish was either too awkward to appropriately register tone, or was too caught up in her own brain to notice it. “Ugh, I was just talking about my parents. They’re so unsupportive.”

“Oh, parent bashing. I can get down with this.”

Tina raised her index finger. “Wait for it.”

“They wanted me to go with them to St. Thomas for spring break. I mean, can you believe them? It’s like they have no idea how much work goes into being a teacher. Like I really have time to go on a vacation right now. I have essays to grade, lesson planning to do, materials to create. And then they had the nerve to get mad at me for telling them no. They’re so ridiculous," she huffed as she finished her last words and picked up her drink.

I sat there in shock before slowly turning my head to Tina, who simply nodded, affirming that I had heard this crazy broad right.

“Just in case you were wondering,” Tina said as she lifted her drink to her lips, “you failed at your job as mentor.”

“What do you mean?” Trish shrieked. “Lily’s a great mentor.” Her eyes bounced between us, trying desperately to figure out what we were talking about.

“No,” I finally said in a hushed voice. “Tina’s right. I’ve failed you, Trish. And I’m just . . . so, so sorry.” I looked at Tina. “Where did I go wrong?”

Tina shook her head and cast her eyes to the table. “I wish I knew.”

“What are you two talking about? You’re scaring me.”

I reached over and grabbed Trish’s hand. “It’s okay, Trish. I’m scared too. Scared for your f*cking sanity,” I yelled as I dropped her hand. “What the hell’s the matter with you? You never, I repeat, never pass up a trip to a tropical island to mark papers and do lesson plans. Jesus Christ!”

“I . . . I don’t understand,” Trish stammered.

“That’s the problem. You don’t get it. Trish, you need to have a f*cking life outside of teaching or you’re gonna burn yourself out. It’s great that you love what you do, but you need to love other things in your life too. Like yourself for starters. Not going on an awesome vacation because of your job is ludicrous. Ask me what I brought home from my classroom today?”

Trish sat there, scared, meek, and silent.

“Ask me!” I yelled.

“Fine, what did you bring home from your classroom?”

“Not a goddamn thing. And you wanna know why? Because I’m not doing anything work related over my break. I work hard all year. I’ve earned this break as much as the kids. They didn’t leave with work today, so why the hell should I?”

“Well, actually my kids did leave with work today,” Trish whimpered.

“Bah, no wonder they hate you,” I screamed before really processing the words. Trish looked about ready to cry. Shit. “Trish, I got carried away. They totally don’t hate you. I was on a roll and couldn’t rein it in.”

Trish picked up her glass and took a gulp. “No, you’re right. They do hate me.” She propped her elbows on the table and buried her head in her hands. As her body began shaking, I reached over to rub her back and Tina and I began talking over her head like Trish wasn't even there anymore.

“Smooth move, Ace,” Tina said dryly.

“Oh, what do you want from me? You know I have a flair for the dramatic. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Now what are we going to do? She looks seconds away from twisting the table napkins into a noose.”

“Move the napkins?” I offered with a smirk.