Mrs Shaes Pet

Fiona Shae loved teaching. Loved children. She was twenty-five and in her third year of teaching. This year had been challenging so far. She was teaching English Composition to eighth graders. She was of petite build with short red hair and kind green eyes.

One student in particular was worrying her. Benji James. He was a shy thirteen year old. Fiona thought he wrote very well for his age. But lately something seemed off about him. He was afraid to make eye contact with her, got flustered easily and was quick to leave when class ended.

Last year was the complete opposite. Benji helped her in the classroom, made her laugh with silly jokes. She even remembered Bengi walking past her house several times and waving when he saw her.

Fiona was determined to find out what was behind the drastic change. In truth Fiona missed the old Benji. He had blue eyes and short black hair. She liked his grey pork pie hat he always wore. Even though more than once she had to remind him to remove it in class.

The next day, Fiona watched Benji in class. He was concentrating on the assignment and not looking around.

The bell rang and the students passed their assignments forward.

Fiona spied Benji putting a notebook in his backpack. "Benji c'mere please."

"Yes Mrs. Shae?" Benji looked down.

"Benji, what's going on with you?"

Fiona put a gentle hand under Benji's chin. "C'mon Benji look at me." She saw he was blushing and had tears in his eyes. He was shaking. Fiona made him sit down near her desk.

"I have a huge crush on you Mrs. Shae. It started last year. I thought I hid it well. I mean, I enjoy helping you and making you laugh. Then this year it got stronger. That's why I have been leaving so fast, and not looking at you."

Fiona smiled. "It's alright Benji, I'm very flattered."

"Mrs. Shae, if you want to put me in another class I understand."

"What I want is my old Benji, that helps me and makes me laugh and wears that silly hat." Fiona touched Benji's shoulder gently.

"To be honest Mrs. Shae, I've missed helping and making you laugh."

"Benji is that also why I don't see you going past my house anymore?"

"Yeah Mrs. Shae. I have also been going and taking swimming lessons at Oliver Park."

"Good Benji, and you know, you can still get to Oliver Park faster by going past my house. Besides I miss seeing you, and next time stop and talk to me." Fiona felt sorry for Benji at how conflicted he was.

"But won't Mr. Shae be annoyed if I just drop by.?"

"No Benji, I'm a widow. My husband died two years ago in an accident."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Shae."

Benji smiled and nodded. "I will Mrs. Shae, I promise." "Let me help you carry that box on your desk to your car.

"Thank You Benji."

Since telling Mrs. Shae how he felt, Benji felt better. As the weeks passed he continued swimming. He did stop by Mrs. Shae's house and they would talk. The next time Benji went past her house, he found out just how kind of a person she was.

Benji wasn't even halfway home when the downpour started. By the time he was going past Mrs. Shae's house he was soaked to the bone and shivering.

Fiona saw him through the front window. She ran outside to the front porch.

"Benji get in here right now!" Fiona ran out and hustled Benji inside. She could feel him shivering.

"Go that way to the bathroom and get those wet clothes off!" Benji nodded, his teeth chattering.

Benji was naked. His wet clothes were in a pile in the corner. He saw the door open, he was shivering so bad he couldn't cover himself. Fiona saw the blushed embarrassed look on Benji's face. She smiled. "It's okay sweetie, c'mon." She guided Benji into the shower. Fiona took the shower head and washed Benji down with with warm water. She proceeded to help him bathe and dry off. Fiona gave Benji a robe to put on.

Fiona looked at Benji and started to giggle. Benji looked so cute in the robe. He reminded her of Yoda from 'Star Wars'

"What's so funny?" Benji asked.

Fiona turned the door so Benji saw his reflection in the mirror behind the door. "You silly!" Fiona winked and smiled at Benji and they both started laughing.

"Sit down and eat some soup Benji."

"Thank You Mrs. Shae, for taking care of me "

"You're welcome Benji."

Fiona smiled at Benji, but felt sad because this would be his last year with her. The high school was on the same campus as the grade school. But it was on the other side.

"Mrs. Shae, can I still come and see you when I start high school next year?"

Fiona was startled. It was as if Benji read her mind.

"Of course Benji, and you better not sneak past my house without stopping." Fiona winked.

"Oh I better call home!"

"I already called your mom, when you went in the bathroom. I told her you were going to stay with me tonight. Besides your clothes need washed and dried and it's still raining."

Fiona gave Benji more soup.

"Eat." Fiona mussed Benji's hair.

Fiona was glad this was Friday. She let Benji stay up and they played cards.

"Gin!", Fiona laughed.

"Wow, that's seven hands in a row!"

Benji shook his head.

"Mrs. Shae, what's your first name?"

"Fiona." She couldn't help but smile at Benji.

"I was just curious."

"Benji you can call me Fiona it's just us here."

"No, I better not, I'm too afraid I'd slip up in class."

"Fair enough Benji."

Fiona noticed Benji getting sleepy. "C'mon Benji bedtime."

Benji nodded and Fiona guided him to her guest room. He climbed into the bed and looked at her and said "Fiona is a pretty name." He yawned and was fast asleep.

Time moved on Benji and Fiona did keep in touch. When Benji found out she remarried he wished her well.

Sadly for Fiona, the marriage wasn't a happy one and it ended in divorce after two years due to her husband's abuse and infidelity. During that time thoughts of Benji sustained her. It had been thirteen years since she took him in on that rainy Friday.

Fiona's day had been hectic so far. She was happy to have the next hour free. She decided to go to the break room for coffee. She noticed the television was on but ignored it.

The the LIVE BREAKING NEWS GRAPHIC appeared on screen.

The story was about the rescue of a family from a burning boat by the United States Coast Guard. Specifically the actions of the rescue swimmer. A picture shown on the screen. He was a young man with blue eyes and dark hair. Fiona thought he looked familiar but couldn't place him. Then his name appeared. BENJAMIN JAMES.

Fiona looked at the television stunned. "That's Benji!"

From the news story she learned of Benji's heroic efforts to get the family to safety. Film of the rescue, taken by a news helicopter showed the rescuer jumping twenty feet into the storm tossed sea followed by a life raft.

Fiona watched wide eyed as the rescue swimmer powered through battering waves with the raft in tow.

She watched as he got the family into the raft, all while the sea fought his efforts.

"My God!" Fiona thought to herself.

She watched as Benji swam with the raft tied to him. He pulled it further away from the burning boat. All the while the Coast Guard chopper followed. The rescue basket lowered from the chopper and he loaded the people into the basket. It took six trips. Benji was the last to come out of the water. The boat exploded just as Benji was being hoisted up.

From the story she learned where the coast guard unit was based.

Fiona found the phone number and called and left a message for Benji.

Three hours later her phone chimed with a message:

Hello Mrs. Shae,

Got your message. So great to hear from you! I am on duty now. I will be up your way next week. I will definitely come to see you. I still have the grey hat. Fiona is a beautiful name!

Benji

P.S.: If you message me and I don't answer right away don't worry.

Fiona read the message and her heart soared.

Fiona fought the urge to call or message Benji all weekend. The new week started, and Fiona was breathless with anticipation. She thought a lot about Benji over the weekend. How he was in her class as a kid. All the things he did to be helpful. All the talks they had. Then Fiona realized that she did have feelings for Benji.

Monday and Tuesday came and went with no sign or word from Benji. Fiona went home disappointed. "He'll be in touch." She said to herself.

Benji arrived at the school at 10:30 AM in uniform. He found Fiona's classroom, but stood back out of view. He could see through the window in the door as she instructed the class.

Some of the kids saw him as the bell rang and they left the classroom. Benji smiled and put his index finger to his lips.

Fiona was writing on the blackboard when she heard "Hello Mrs. Shae."

She turned to see Benji smiling at her. Fiona thought he looked handsome in his uniform. She saw a muscular young man with a swimmer's body. He was at least 6'2" and 190 lbs.

"Benji,c'mere!" She ran over with outstretched arms. Fiona hugged him and felt just how solid and and muscular Benji was. That feeling plus the smell of Benji's cologne gave Fiona a warm feeling.

They caught up as much as they could before Fiona's next class started.

They agreed to meet at her house and order Chinese take out.

Fiona stood on her porch laughing as she saw Benji coming. He wore black sweatpants a blue long sleeved polo shirt, black high top tennis shoes, and the grey pork pie hat.

"You and that hat!" Fiona had on shorts, a tank top, and sneakers.

"Just messen with ya!", Benji winked. He tossed the hat in the car.

"You were known as Mrs. Shae's Pet!" Fiona tilted her head back laughing.

"I was, I took a lot of ribbing because of you!" "But loved and do love being around you Fiona." "I was surprised you still wanted me around after I told you how I felt."

"Benji you don't know it, but you were a big comfort to me when my first husband died. I became attached to you and developed feelings towards you too. But I couldn't act on them. What really sealed it for me was when I took you in on that rainy Friday. I loved doing that and taking care of you.

Benji looked at Fiona. "Now none

of those restrictions matter."

"Nope they don't." Fiona's eyes sparkled.

Benji walked over to Fiona and kissed her. Then picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. They slowly undressed each other. With delighted hands, each explored the other's body. Fiona felt Benji's kisses all over her body. She felt Benji enter her. "Ohhhhh yeah Benji take me!"

Benji flowed into Fiona. All his boyhood fantasies of her flashing before his mind's eye.

In the morning they showered slowly together. Their passion for each other adding to the steam of the shower as they laughed.

"Why Mrs. Shae, wherever are you putting your hands!"

"Where I wanted to put them thirteen years ago."

THE END