Read Online When Mom Meets Dad by Karen Rose Smith - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Karen Rose Smith
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concept.
When Alex said good bye, assuring her he'd see her the following morning, Amanda was disappointed. She'd secretly hoped he'd ask her out again. But chiding herself for behaving like a teenager, she'd occupied herself with other things. This morning he'd been running late when he'd dropped Kristy off. It was possible he was calling now to ask about how his daughter was feeling. As far as Amanda could see, except for eating a little lighter than usual, Kristy seemed to be her old self.
Hurrying into the kitchen, Amanda eagerly picked up the phone. But Alex's number didn't show up. Clara Webb's did. After Amanda answered, Clara said, "Amanda, it's Clara Webb."
Amanda wondered if the woman even knew what Caller ID was!
She hadn't talked to Clara since their last Career Day meeting. "Hello, Mrs. Webb. I hope you're enjoying your summer."
"I was enjoying it just fine until the e-mail came in."
Amanda hadn't checked her e-mail yet today. "What letter is that?"
"The one Mr. Woodsides sent out to prospective speakers for Career Day. Do you know anything about it?"
"No. I didn't even know he'd sent one out."
"Yes, well it has that 'cc' down at the bottom, so everybody on the committee is getting one. But it's what's in the e-mail that's the problem."
"Since I didn't receive mine yet, you'll have to tell me about it," Amanda responded patiently, knowing Clara often made a mountain out of a mole hill.
"Mr. Woodsides promised them a breakfast--a breakfast, mind you. How are we supposed to afford that?"
"For all the speakers?" If they expected to have thirty speakers...
"Yes, for all the speakers. That's definitely not in our budget. Last year they came after lunch, and we gave them punch and cookies later, then sent them on their way. Just what are we going to do about this?" Clara demanded. "He already sent these e-mails out!"
"I'll be seeing Mr. Woodsides later this afternoon. I'll talk to him about it."
"We may have to have an emergency meeting. He might have a lot of energy, but he cannot unilaterally decide how to run this day. We all have a say in that."
For once Amanda was in complete agreement with the older teacher. She assured Clara that she would keep her informed, then went back to her cleaning, not looking forward to confronting Alex.
Later, when Amanda heard the hum of Alex's car in the driveway, she was surprised. He was early for a change, and she was nervous. She shouldn't be. She hated the feeling. It was the way she used to feel with Jeff--worried about doing or saying something he would disapprove of. She'd thought she'd left all that behind her. She shouldn't care whether or not Alex disapproved of what she had to say.
But she did.
Instead of waiting for him to come around to the back where the girls were playing, she opened the front door and motioned him inside. His smile when he stepped over the threshold made her stomach jitter more vigorously. By this time she'd checked her in box, and she'd seen the letter that had concerned Clara.
Deciding to leave the older teacher out of this, she said, "We have to talk."
His smile slipped away. "Isn't Kristy feeling well again?"
"This isn't about Kristy." She picked up the e-mail she'd printed out that was laying on her coffee table. "You sent this out inviting participants in Career Day to breakfast. That's not in the budget."
He slid one hand into his trouser pocket, not looking the least bit disturbed. "I know it's not in the budget, but we have to show these people that we value their time--and their expertise--or they won't want to help again. I'm going to pay for it as a community service. I've made arrangements with the small family restaurant down the street from the school. They assured me that they can provide good service and will stay on schedule."
He'd already set up the breakfast. And he was going to pay for it? He was going to take control
When Alex said good bye, assuring her he'd see her the following morning, Amanda was disappointed. She'd secretly hoped he'd ask her out again. But chiding herself for behaving like a teenager, she'd occupied herself with other things. This morning he'd been running late when he'd dropped Kristy off. It was possible he was calling now to ask about how his daughter was feeling. As far as Amanda could see, except for eating a little lighter than usual, Kristy seemed to be her old self.
Hurrying into the kitchen, Amanda eagerly picked up the phone. But Alex's number didn't show up. Clara Webb's did. After Amanda answered, Clara said, "Amanda, it's Clara Webb."
Amanda wondered if the woman even knew what Caller ID was!
She hadn't talked to Clara since their last Career Day meeting. "Hello, Mrs. Webb. I hope you're enjoying your summer."
"I was enjoying it just fine until the e-mail came in."
Amanda hadn't checked her e-mail yet today. "What letter is that?"
"The one Mr. Woodsides sent out to prospective speakers for Career Day. Do you know anything about it?"
"No. I didn't even know he'd sent one out."
"Yes, well it has that 'cc' down at the bottom, so everybody on the committee is getting one. But it's what's in the e-mail that's the problem."
"Since I didn't receive mine yet, you'll have to tell me about it," Amanda responded patiently, knowing Clara often made a mountain out of a mole hill.
"Mr. Woodsides promised them a breakfast--a breakfast, mind you. How are we supposed to afford that?"
"For all the speakers?" If they expected to have thirty speakers...
"Yes, for all the speakers. That's definitely not in our budget. Last year they came after lunch, and we gave them punch and cookies later, then sent them on their way. Just what are we going to do about this?" Clara demanded. "He already sent these e-mails out!"
"I'll be seeing Mr. Woodsides later this afternoon. I'll talk to him about it."
"We may have to have an emergency meeting. He might have a lot of energy, but he cannot unilaterally decide how to run this day. We all have a say in that."
For once Amanda was in complete agreement with the older teacher. She assured Clara that she would keep her informed, then went back to her cleaning, not looking forward to confronting Alex.
Later, when Amanda heard the hum of Alex's car in the driveway, she was surprised. He was early for a change, and she was nervous. She shouldn't be. She hated the feeling. It was the way she used to feel with Jeff--worried about doing or saying something he would disapprove of. She'd thought she'd left all that behind her. She shouldn't care whether or not Alex disapproved of what she had to say.
But she did.
Instead of waiting for him to come around to the back where the girls were playing, she opened the front door and motioned him inside. His smile when he stepped over the threshold made her stomach jitter more vigorously. By this time she'd checked her in box, and she'd seen the letter that had concerned Clara.
Deciding to leave the older teacher out of this, she said, "We have to talk."
His smile slipped away. "Isn't Kristy feeling well again?"
"This isn't about Kristy." She picked up the e-mail she'd printed out that was laying on her coffee table. "You sent this out inviting participants in Career Day to breakfast. That's not in the budget."
He slid one hand into his trouser pocket, not looking the least bit disturbed. "I know it's not in the budget, but we have to show these people that we value their time--and their expertise--or they won't want to help again. I'm going to pay for it as a community service. I've made arrangements with the small family restaurant down the street from the school. They assured me that they can provide good service and will stay on schedule."
He'd already set up the breakfast. And he was going to pay for it? He was going to take control
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