Theon
I left my mother's house and went to the restaurant to get something for dinner. I had already ordered Samantha's dinner earlier, but had forgotten to order something for myself. My original plan was just to get the food and go home, but luckily for me, Helen Ronald was there, waiting for a table for dinner.
" Good evening Mrs. Ronald " I greeted her.
" Ahh Mr. Adamos, good evening " she smiled in reply " how are you?”
" Well, are you alone? I have a matter I would like to discuss with you," I decided to be direct, drawing the woman's attention, who frowned.
" Oh yes, I'm alone. I just decided to eat something different today," she answered confused, "what do you need, young man?”
" I'll buy you dinner and we'll talk, what do you say? " I smiled, indicating a table that had just wandered into the hall.
I helped the old lady get settled while my mind worked on everything I would say to convince her to hire Samantha. It would not be easy, but I would have to persuade her that it was her best option.
" So, Mr. Adamos " she looked at me suspiciously after the waiter took our orders " what can I do for you?”
"Ms. Ronald, I hear you are looking for a new ballet teacher," I commented.
" Oh yes," she sighed, "but I'm having no luck with this part. In this town there doesn't seem to be any other teacher besides Miss Jenny.”
Good, she seems to be out of options, as Lara suggested.
" Maybe we can help each other, Ms. Ronald," I began, "I have a... friend. She just arrived in town, is an excellent dancer, and is looking for a job.”
That information seems to have taken the woman by surprise, but she soon pulled herself together, looking really interested in what I had to say.
" Oh, and does she have experience with children?”
" Unfortunately not, but she is very dedicated and sensitive, I think she will do well," I assured her.
" Well, it's not ideal, but she can get experience. Is she a graduate? " Helen asked thoughtfully.
" Yes, she graduated with honors from St. Monica's Academy," I reported, "she will do well.”
The waiter arrived with our orders, giving the old lady enough time to assess the value of that information. When he left, she seemed determined.
" St. Monica's is well recognized. It would be nice to have a teacher who graduated from there," she declared “What is her name?”
" Samantha, but first, I must tell you something about her.”
" Yes?”
" She is pregnant.”
As I imagined, the woman shifted uncomfortably in her chair, before devoting herself to her plate for a few moments, surely thinking of a good way to escape from this situation.
" Adamos, I don't know... A pregnant girl, that means that she will soon be going on maternity leave, and will have an added responsibility," she observed me.
" I know it's not ideal, Mrs. Ronald. But Samantha needs it badly, and I know that she will do whatever it takes to perform well " I insisted " besides, everything can be negotiated.”
" Okay, I can talk to her " the woman begrudgingly agreed " the training at St. Monica's is really interesting.”
" Thank you Ms. Ronald " was it really that easy?
We ate in silence for a few minutes until the old woman spoke again.
" Tell me about this girl " she asked " you said she just moved here, where did she come from?”
" Las Vegas," I remarked nonchalantly.
" She lived in Las Vegas? " the woman looked shocked.
" She was a dancer, but... She was training to be in a musical, she was that kind of dancer.”
The woman remained thoughtful for a few more moments. If I wanted Samantha to have a chance, I had to act fast.
" Did she move here with her husband? " the situation only got worse.
" No... Samantha... she is not married " I scratched my throat " look, I will consider it a personal favor if you accept.”
" But you said she is pregnant " the woman was surprised.
" Yes, she is " I took a deep breath " she is pregnant and I am the father.”
This left the woman speechless. She stared at me dumbfounded, blinking repeatedly without knowing what to say next.
" I am helping her get settled," I continued, "she needs a job, and I don't know where else to get one. As I said, I would consider it a personal favor.”
" Uh... bring the girl tomorrow, I can talk to her," she stammered uncomfortably, "I can't promise anything, but I might consider it, if she's really good…”
" Thank you, you won't regret it, Mrs. Ronald. I'm sure Samantha will be a great teacher," I started to get up.
" I make no promises, Mr. Adamos," she reminded me, also getting up.
After that, I went home. I had one less thing to deal with the next day. I just took a shower and lay down on the couch, thinking about Harper. Did she really give up on our relationship? What will happen now? What about Samantha? Is she getting any rest in the new house? When did my life become this chaos?
I had everything planned for the following years, and surely all this mess was not part of the plans.
The next day, I got up early and made myself a cup of coffee, getting ready to start the day. I sent a message to Samantha, arranging everything for the meeting with Principal Ronald.
I hope everything goes well!