Revolution or maybe quantum entanglement theory.”
“I thought about it, and actually, it’s not as bad as it sounds. He can look into things like the history, cultural and anthropological significance, the specific graphic design elements, how tattoos related to fashion through the centuries.” Carrie sounded more enthused as she went. “The health aspects, like HIV infection, ink allergies. Psychological implications. I’m sure he’ll come up with more if he tries. I’m getting together with him tomorrow after school. I’m going to let him know we aren’t talking about a five-page report on the best tattoo parlors in Asheville.”
“Well, if the best way to a student’s mind is through the back door, maybe this time it’s the back door of the tattoo parlor.”
“It’s nice to work with somebody who doesn’t freak out every time we think a little differently.”
Georgia was warmed by the compliment and returned it before Carrie peeled off to head to the teacher’s lounge.
The praise carried her almost to the office. Once there she had to resist slamming the door and barring it with her body for a few moments of privacy.
The secretaries had gone home for the day, but Marianne came out of her office, took one look at Georgia and clucked maternally. “You’ve been gone almost all day, which is too long. Water’s hot. I can make tea, then you should brave the rain and go home.” She nodded to the table with a small coffeepot and an electric kettle.
“Thanks, but I’m just going to clear off the worst of my desk before it implodes and takes the building down with it.”
Marianne’s eyes flicked to something behind Georgia. Georgia turned and saw that a man had entered the office after her.
“May I help?” Marianne said, trying to head him off so Georgia could flee to her office, but the man shook his head and addressed Georgia instead.
“Are you Mrs. Ferguson?”
Georgia felt the long day tugging her down. She was tempted to say no. Sorely tempted.
“I am,” she said instead. “And you are...?”
“Lucas Ramsey.”
She tried to match the last name to a student. He was the right age to be somebody’s father—late forties, early fifties, about her age. His dark hair was turning gray, but not quite there yet. He had eyes of such a deep blue they were startling, and strong features to go with them. He’d dressed for this occasion in a crisply ironed, striped dress shirt and slacks. She liked what she saw and then put that brief flare of attraction swiftly behind her.
“Do you have a son or daughter here?” she asked, as pleasantly as fatigue would allow.
“No, but I’d still like to talk to you about a student. Can you spare a little time now, or would you rather I made an appointment?”
“Which student?”
“Dawson Nedley.”
Had it been anyone else, she would have turned the man over to Marianne, who would have been happy to make the appointment. But Dawson was of such immediate concern that Georgia knew better than to put this off.
“Let’s go in my office,” she said.
She led him there, then stayed on her feet until she could close the door. Her desk was piled so high she knew better than to sit behind it. There was no sense in trying to establish authority with a tower of paper between them.
She motioned him to a love seat in the corner and took the armchair beside it. Outside her windows the sky was gray, and she noted his umbrella was dripping on the carpet. “Before you say anything—I can’t give you information about Dawson, not without his permission and his family’s.”
She was taller than average, but even seated, Lucas Ramsey had to look down at her. “That’s fair enough, but if we need it, they’ll probably give it to you. His mother knew I was coming. And I told Dawson I planned to drop by. It’s no secret.”
“Would you like to tell me why you’re here?”
He flashed a smile that cut straight through her exhaustion. “I’m his neighbor. I think he’s a great kid, maybe even a brilliant kid. But I know he’s not lifting a finger at school. I’d like to help any way I can. He should be college bound.”
She pondered this; she pondered him. She pondered how tired she was and how slowly her brain was processing information.
He seemed to sense the latter. “Long day? You’re clearly wiped.”
“I came in at six, and I’ve been running ever since. I’m not surprised it shows.” She sat back because she was too tired not to. “We ought to do this another time. It sounds important.”
“How about tonight over pizza?”
She stared at him. The invitation had come straight out of left field and still, somehow, seemed exactly right.
He held up his hands, as if to say the request was completely innocent. “Nothing fancy. Pizza, beer if you drink it. And some brainstorming. You don’t have to reveal a thing about how he’s doing. Just help me come up with some way to prop him up a little.” He hesitated and his eyes flicked to her left hand. She wore no wedding ring—hadn’t since a year after Samantha’s father’s death—and he seemed to note that with a glance.
“Of course, the weather’s awful, and somebody’s probably expecting you at home,” he said. “I’m being presumptuous.”
“That’s not it.”
“I hate to see this kid ruin his life.”
She was too tired to be tactful, and too thrown off balance. “Why do you care?”
“I’m new here, but there’s a little place in Weaverville, not that far from my house, that makes everything from scratch. I can tell you the whole story while we eat. Outside this building you’ll feel more like listening.”
He seemed to understand exactly how she was feeling, and he didn’t even know her. For a moment that, coupled with her visceral reaction to Lucas Ramsey, seemed like enough reason to say no. But Dawson’s future was too important to play games with.
“Nobody’s expecting you?” she asked, since he’d brought up the subject.
“I’m more or less a stranger here. I live alone. There’s a stray cat I feed, but he comes by late.”
She thought about the ground they’d covered in a few sentences. Her exhaustion had drifted away, and something like anticipation was filling the void.
“Tell me where, and I’ll meet you there,” she said at last. “Six, seven?”
He got to his feet. “Six. I think you need the pizza transfusion sooner than later. And if this storm continues, you’ll want to get home early.”
She couldn’t help herself. She smiled.
He smiled, too; then he told her where to meet him. In a moment he was gone.
