Maggie hated Valentine's day. It was nothing more then a day for people to brag about what they had and rub it into their unattached friends' faces. This attitude and owning a flower shop didn't mix. So she did her best for her multitudes of customers, she always did her best. But she left early that day leaving the last minute shoppers to the other girls; all the orders were done and picked up. All that was left were the flowers in the case.
Owning a business at twenty seven was hard work. But it was all worth it when it came to Evan, even Valentine's was worth because of Evan. It had just been her and her son all five years of his life. His father had been a smooth talking friend who she thought really cared about her. When she discovered she was pregnant however, he was nowhere to be found. She was okay with that, as long as she had Evan.
As Maggie rode the bus toward Evan's school she pondered what it would have been like if Evan had a real father. Two incomes, a better apartment, a car. It as so hard being alone. Then there were the memories. Memories of words whispered in her ear, strong hands on her body. Memories, that turned into dreams, that left her wide awake and sweating in the middle of the night. Once she calmed her racing heart she often cried herself back to sleep.
She had tried dating once or twice. Finding a sitter was a pain, and most men she found were annoyed about how much she talked about her son. So she had given up, Evan was the only man she needed.
When she walked up to the school she noted her son wasn't out playing with the rest of the children. Panic started to creep into her heart as she sought out the supervising teacher. "Ms. Callahan, where's Evan?"
"Oh Ms. Walters," The elderly teacher greeted her, "Evan was brought to the nurse's office, nothing..."
Maggie brushed past the old woman and into the school. What did she mean her son was at the nurse's office? Was he hurt? Sick? She came around the corner and skidded to a stop. There was Evan, his dark head and big blue eyes smiling up at the nurse who offered him a purple sucker. Her eyes scanned him, he looked unhurt except a large bandage across his knee. Holding her son's hand however was a man in a casual dress jacket and jeans. Nice jeans. Her eyes scanned the man; her maternal brain subconsciously looking for a threat. He wasn't very old, maybe his early thirties and so very handsome. He had dark close cropped hair and an easy smile. Then he looked up and the smile broadened, reaching his crystal blue eyes.
"Mrs. Walters I presume?" He asked in an easy humorous tone.
Evan spotted her, "Mommy!" He cheered releasing the man's hand and came running with a dramatic limp down the hall way.
Maggie caught him and examined him again, "Evan darling what happened? I was so scarred when you weren't out side."
"I'm sorry Mommy." The boy told her giving her another hug.
"No worries, Mrs. Walters, a bigger boy knocked him down and scraped his knee. He didn't even cry, did ya Evan?" The man told her joining them.
Evan shook his head and popped the purple sucker into his mouth. Maggie stood up, "Thank you, Mr...." She tried unable to place this man amongst Evan's teachers.
The man offered his hand, "Taylor, but every one calls me Will," He shrugged, "Except the kids of course. And don't worry about the other boy he's waiting for his parents outside my office."
"Your office sir?... I mean, Will?" She corrected herself. This man was completely flustering, and she didn't even know who he was.
"I'm the assistant principal Mrs. Walters, new this year but I think I'm getting the hang of things."
