Collateral Damage

[Stormmey]

Re: Collateral Damage

ehhh ehhhh!!

~ <span style="font-style: italic">shiver</span>~

[ILP]

Re: Collateral Damage

Allison’s heart began to beat faster. She felt the blood race to her face. Nigel began to smile and then skirted around her and looked into his mailbox. He too had a pile of mail and like Allison was doing before he greeted her, he began to sort through it. Another teacher walked by and greeted Nigel, “Hey Man, great job over the past weekend. Heard the kids did an awesome job!” Nigel beamed with pride, “They did. Thanks.” Nigel returned to sorting his mail while remaining fully aware that Allison was still standing there. Finally, Allison broke the awkward silence between the two, “Congratulations. I saw the article in the paper.” Nigel smiled and then said, “Thank you. Thank you.” He never looked up from his pile of mail. He however remained focused on Allison. Allison allowed another teacher to get in between her and Nigel to access their mailbox and when the teacher went back around the corner she said, “I see that the kids did awesome. I’ve been looking at the pictures that some of them took as well.” Nigel looked at Allison for the first time, “Who has pictures?” Allison rattled of a half dozen students whose pictures of the event she had seen. Nigel said, “Mmm, I’ll have to check them out. I’d like to see them. I was much too busy during all of and I know I missed a lot.” The awkward silence fell between them again and Nigel returned to sorting his mail. Allison again spoke up, “Yeah, the pics definitely tell how much fun the kids had.” Nigel never looked up, but said, “Yup.”

Allison could take no more. It was if she was about to burst. She was surprised that all she could manage to say was, “Hey, Sorry I missed everything. I feel badly that I gave my word and then didn’t show.” She felt a drop of sweat fall down the back of her leg. Nigel looked up from his pile of mail. He met Allison’s eyes and seemed to be searching them. He said, “Well, you were…umm…busy…so you couldn’t make it.” Allison let an almost confession pour out of her, “Nigel, I had to tell her. Things were getting ridiculous. I mean when I got the restaurant, she was arguing with him again. Making a complete fool of herself. I mean the entire thing was just too embarrassing.” Nigel shook his head in agreement and said, “I know.” Allison continued, “We took her back to her house and told her.” After a long pause Allison said, “She was devastated Nigel.” Nigel began to search Allison’s eyes again. He nodded his head. Finally he said, “She hasn’t been to work this week.” Allison felt that there was a glimmer of hope and said, “You looked for her?” Nigel immediately answered, “No. I haven’t. I was told she has been absent.” Allison’s hope was dashed as quickly as it appeared. Nigel noticed Allison’s disposition, but said nothing. Allison continued to ask questions, “Have you spoken to her at least?” Nigel simply said, “Nope.” Allison then asked, “Have you spoken to Drew?” Nigel responded with the same, “Nope.” It was then Allison realized that Nigel closed the emotional door that was opened between the two. Her heart sank. The awkward silence appeared again. Allison spoke up first even though she knew that nothing would repair the irrevocable damage that was now open between the two of them. “Nigel, I’m sorry, but she had to know. She was clueless. I just felt badly for her.” Nigel said calmly, “And I don’t agree. I don’t agree that it needed to be any of us who told her.” Allison just didn’t understand Nigel’s reasoning, “So you think Drew was going to tell her?” Nigel said dryly, “I have no idea, but it wasn’t anyone’s business. Look, he’s my family and I am always gonna choose him.” Allison asked, “Choose? What does that mean?” When Nigel didn’t answer, Allison said, “I think Q felt the most betrayed by <span style="font-style: italic">you</span>.” Nigel let a “Ha!” escape his mouth. Allison became slightly angry and said, “She says that you and her are gonna talk.” Nigel rolled his eyes and then said dryly, “Talk. About what I wonder.”

Allison realized then that the conversation between her and Nigel was moot. They both realized that the conversation needed to end, but neither wanted to be the one to take the leap. The bell rang and neither of them moved. The Business Manager called out from her office, “Nigel. When you have a minute,” she nodded for him to come inside of his office. Nigel took this as his way out, “I better see what she wants.” Allison said, “Of course.” Allison turned to walk away when she heard Nigel say, “Allison. No worries, ok?” She looked at Nigel and he was had his hand up waiting for her to give him a High 5. Allison instinctively raised her had to meet his. Nigel said, “Things are cool.” He gave her a wink as his hand met hers.

Allison walked back to her classroom. She knew that things were <span style="font-style: italic">cooled</span>. There would be no more dinners at Nigel’s. No more parties and get togethers. No more left over deliveries. No more storage containers to return and probably no more lunches.

[FrenchTickla]

Re: Collateral Damage

wow. wat a piecea attaclapse :-(

mi agree seh on some level Q did know. and she a big ooman suh eff it come to har haffi a kick dung man door she shudda did tek dat as sign fi walk away.

wah we used to seh a yard &quot;two tings mi nuh run dung ... bus and man&quot; poor ting. hopefully she grow up.

<span style="text-decoration: line-through">eyeelpee</span> ah mean allison :-) brave iyah! mi nuh know eff meeda get miself inna dat mixup unless me an Q was real bonifide.

anedda ting, a suh people who work togedda inna dis school up inna each other life?

[Stormmey]

Re: Collateral Damage

So!!!!!!! is hich part HIElPEE dey fram yesiidey 10:00am to come finish the sequel....we waiting wud mek a good likkle read wid me mawning cuppa BM cawfeeeee

[DearK]

Re: Collateral Damage

Running low on popcorn!!

[diabolical_Tanya]

Re: Collateral Damage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There would be no more dinners at Nigel’s. No more parties and get togethers. No more left over deliveries. No more storage containers to return and probably no more lunches</div></div>

so the collateral damage is to wangagut Allison belly????

[CeaBee]

Re: Collateral Damage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diabolical_Tanya</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There would be no more dinners at Nigel’s. No more parties and get togethers. No more left over deliveries. No more storage containers to return and probably no more lunches</div></div>

so the collateral damage is to wangagut Allison belly???? </div></div>

Now she gwine haffi cook ...poor Allison

[Stormmey]

Re: Collateral Damage

Mebbe in 2 weeks or so when Allison and Drew meet up at school we will here more pon dem coolness to each other.....hoepfully

[Gen]

Re: Collateral Damage

Suh this is really about di leftovahs a waan laff but mi head a hat mi


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CeaBee</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diabolical_Tanya</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There would be no more dinners at Nigel’s. No more parties and get togethers. No more left over deliveries. No more storage containers to return and probably no more lunches</div></div>

so the collateral damage is to wangagut Allison belly???? </div></div>

Now she gwine haffi cook ...poor Allison </div></div>

[ILP]

Re: Collateral Damage

Two weeks had passed since Allison and Nigel spoke in the office. Q had returned to work, but stopped eating lunch with Joy, Nigel, and Felandre. She used the upcoming school testing season and being busy with students as her excuse to not see them during school hours. Neither Joy nor Felandre asked Q why she stopped coming down for lunch and Nigel was relieved that they never asked him either. Q dived into her work with Felandre on their applications. Joy and Felandre kept things all business during their application work session and didn’t mention Nigel. Allison was busy with her students. She was happy to focus on her students and the upcoming testing season. They were all aware that “he was in the midst” of all of them. He was the elephant in the room that no one addressed. They all preferred it that way. It was simply easier.

It was a sunny afternoon and as Allison had promised a kid that she would come down to the field to watch a part of his game, she put her bags into her car and walked down to the field. When she reached the stadium she noticed that Felandre and Q were sitting on the bleachers. They had their attention divided between the kids on the field and their notes. Felandre noticed Allison first, “Hey, Allison. How you doin’?” Q looked up at Allison and tried to force a smile, but when she couldn’t she diverted her eyes. Allison hadn’t seen Q since that awful night. And they simply sent texts when Allison inquired how she was doing. Allison decided to speak first, “Hey Felandre…Q.” Q looked up and smiled. She nodded her head, ‘what’s up’. Allison continued, “what are you guys up to?” Felandre answered, “Hanging with Joy and studying these notes for our application.” Allison took a seat next to them and replied, “How’s that going?” Felandre shook her head and then said, “I dunno. It is all so much. Q and I are working on our letters of recommendation.” Allison raised her eyebrows and Q picked up immediately and responded, “Joy told us to write our own letters and said she’d sign them.” Allison laughed and said, “Joy is something else. How is that supposed to work?”

“It’ll work if I say it’ll work, Chench,” The trio hadn’t noticed that Joy had sat down beside them. “What up, Sis?” Joy greeted Allison and gave her a hug. “Allison returned the hug and greeted Joy, “Not a thing, Sis. What’s this you have them writing their own letters?” Allison let out a laugh. Joy laughed and then faked insult, “Go to hell, Allison. You know Joy doesn’t write. Plus you see how much I have to do? By the time I get home to that Bastard I am now trying to divorce….look Joy is tired.” Allison put up her hands in fake surrender and then said, “Don’t jump down my throat, Sis. I am just saying. You don’t think they will know that you didn’t write those letters?” Joy came back immediately, “My signature will be on it. Besides who is gonna say something to Joy?” She then smiled at the knowledge of her own self -importance. Joy noticed that both Felandre and Q were looking at her, but neither of them shared the same ease at the prospect of submitting letters that they had penned themselves. Joy looked at them and said, “What? Y’all not supposed to be concerning yourself with what I am doing. What you both need to do is tell me what ya’ll read on them pages you’re supposed to be studying.” Felandre continued look at Joy, but this time with eyes that said something else was coming. Joy showed her lack of patience, “What? What, goddamit?” Felandre smiled and said, “What if Allison wrote our letters?” Felandre looked at Q for backup. They both sat, waiting for Joy to really loose her temper. Joy simply said, “Bet. Joy doesn’t have a problem with that.” And they all looked at Allison. Her ‘affirmative’ was all they needed. Allison shook her head and then said, “One of you drop the materials off at my room in the morning and I’ll pen something for you both. You know that this is a damned shame.” Joy laughed and then hugged Allison, “But you love Joy that is why you are doing this.”

The 4 of them sat through a few more innings of the game. They were laughing and enjoying each others company when Joy called out, “Nigel!” Allison began to breath again when she saw that Nigel was at the bottom of the bleachers and had not turned around. <span style="font-style: italic">‘He didn’t hear Joy. Thank God,’</span> she thought to herself. “Nigel!” This time Joy shouted and Nigel turned around and acknowledged that he heard. He put his hand over his eyes to block the light of the sun, so that he could focus on the four in the bleachers. “I know that fool hears me,” Joy uttered and then said, “Why the hell he acting like that?” Felandre hit Joy and then directed her eyes towards Q. Joy then let out a sheepish, “Oh.” It was too late. When Nigel began to make his way up the bleachers towards the 4, Joy looked at Q and said, “Hey Q, look at me please.” Q tuned to look Joy in the eyes. When Joy was confident that she had Q’s attention, she said, “Act dignified, you understand? Dig-ni-fied.” Q said, “I got you. I’m alright.”

Nigel approached and greeted the four ladies, “What’s up?” He raised his hand to give out high fives.

[ILP]

Re: Collateral Damage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Suh this is really about di leftovahs a waan laff but mi head a hat mi

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CeaBee</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diabolical_Tanya</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There would be no more dinners at Nigel’s. No more parties and get togethers. No more left over deliveries. No more storage containers to return and probably no more lunches</div></div>

so the collateral damage is to wangagut Allison belly???? </div></div>
Now she gwine haffi cook ...poor Allison </div></div> </div></div>

now you head have something fi hot ova

[mountaingal]

Re: Collateral Damage

goodness! there's more story to be had. how thrilling!

[Wendy]

Re: Collateral Damage

This could be a best seller

[diabolical_Tanya]

Re: Collateral Damage

*bump*

[ILP]

Re: Collateral Damage

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diabolical_Tanya</div><div class="ubbcode-body">*bump* </div></div>