Chapter 15 β Hot for Teacher
Over the balance of the week, the new office was chaotic. People were coming and going, dropping of boxes and personal effects. I vowed to stay out of the office over the weekend in order to give anyone that was there plenty of quiet time to setup there space. Monday morning came and I felt renewed. I bolted out of the house and couldn't wait to get to the office.
I walked through the door of the office at about 10 minutes to 9 in the morning. Nikki was already seated at her desk and hammering away on her keyboard. Every office door was open except for min and I could see the lights on in the conference room.
"There is a staff meeting in 10 minutes," Nikki informed me as I approached her desk.
"Thanks," I replied as I passed her and headed for my office.
I dropped my bag on my desk and began setting up for my day when I noticed Leslie walk by my door towards the conference room. I grabbed a pad and pen before heading in there myself. I was happy that I wasn't the last one to arrive as I entered the conference room.
I pulled up a seat between Penny and Brooke on the far side of the table. Leslie was seated on Brooke's right side. Emma charged through the door with Nikki hot on her heels. She sat to Penny's left and Nikki sat to her left. Once we were all there, it began.
"Alright, first things first," Emma said. "Every Monday at 9am we will have a staff meeting, to catch up and get on the same page."
Everyone took in this information and seemed to agree that it was a good idea.
"Next, good job by Nikki and our favorite guy for getting our new office up and running," Emma complimented.
Nikki smiled and I nodded at the acknowledgement.
"Also, we have a lot of things going on right now," Emma stated. "We have several cases that need pressing attention. Penny and Nikki will be teaming on research and approach while Leslie will hand the Johnson case and I will take both the Lemon case and the Harbaugh case."
Everyone absorbed this latest data and there was not a question as to who was running this office. Emma was brilliant and great at being in charge. She was a natural leader.
"Finally, we may need an extra hand or two for a little while," Emma informed us, staring mostly at Brooke and me. "Starting tonight, Leslie will be teaching Law 1 on Monday nights at the community college. So we might need you two to assist with some things."
Brooke nodded, as did I. Leslie was going to teach, that was great. I was happy for her. This seemed like something she would be very good at. Great. Our office environment was taking a distinct shape. I liked how things were turning out.
"The last item of business relates to the game," Emma declared. "I spoke to Sienna this morning."
All our ears perked up as we waited for the next set of words to be spoken.
"Monica is being allowed to sit out from Sienna's game for the next 6 months" Emma revealed.
Everyone's eyes got very big. We all waited anxiously for the explanation.
"Why," Leslie asked bluntly.
"She's pregnant," Nikki revealed.
"Is it Brad's," I inquired without thinking.
"No," Nikki confirmed. "It was an artificial insemination. We want a baby. We think it can mend the broken pieces of who we are together."
Penny got up from her chair and moved to where Nikki was seated. She gave Nikki a very large hug. Everyone offered congratulations and well wishes for the blessing that was about to happen to Nikki and Monica.
"Do we owe Sienna anything in return," I asked Emma when everyone had settled down.
"It's been settled," Emma replied firmly.
I knew not to push the question based on her tone of voice, but I was going to get the whole story at some point, that I was sure of.
Emma dismissed us and I returned to my office. I was sitting at my desk and about to logon to my computer when Penny stepped into the doorway of my office.
"Got a minute," she asked politely.
"Sure."
Penny entered my office and closed the door behind her. She sat in the chair closest to her and stared at me.
"Is everything alright," I asked.
"I am not sure," she admitted. "I don't know what Emma did to get Sienna to back off of Monica during her pregnancy, but I really would like to know."
"Me too," I agreed. "But give it time. It will come out."
"You're right, it will," she granted. "I have a nice idea. You should go to Leslie's class tonight. She is nervous about teaching and having you there would be nice. You make a great teacher's pet."
"Done."
She stood from the chair she was sitting in and opened the door. She exited my office without another word. I sat there thinking of what Emma could have done to get Sienna to do the right thing for Monica. As my thoughts ripped through what it could have been, my mind wandered and I found myself thinking of what tonight's class might be like. Should I sit in the front so Leslie could see me? Or would that be distracting to her? Should I sit in the back to toy with her? Or would that be distracting to her? Tonight was going to be very interesting.
The day passed swiftly and before I knew it 6pm had arrived. Class started at 6:30pm so I rushed to shut my computer down and get out of the office. As I was headed for the front door, I heard Penny call to me.
"Have fun tonight."