It was day six of eight at Walt Disney World. We were standing in line, waiting for the bus to take us from our resort to Epcot. I was in a haze, a little exhausted looking around at the people waiting in our line and others. I couldn't help but notice that in our line was a good looking young woman in a pair of yellow orange bird shorts and a top that was showing a little bit of her midriff. Her face was vaguely familiar, but I thar might have been because I had seen her earlier in the week around the resort.
I look down the road to see if the bus was coming when I hear someone ask a question. "How was your first year teaching?" It was an older lady in a wheel chair. She was looking at the young woman I had noticed. I looked a little closer and noticed she was wearing a pin that was celebrating her first year of teaching. Her response was lost to me as I turned back but my daughter's excited voice wasn't.
"Miss Cass!" She exclaimed. I looked down at my daughter then up at the young woman. The realization hit me, she was my daughters homeroom teacher.
Miss Cass turns to my daughter, "Jess, how are you doing?" They give each other a hug. I stand awkwardly there with my in laws. Miss Cass looks up at me, "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." I smile, trying to focus.
"It's okay, if anything I should apologize. You probably had enough kids screaming at you all year. C'mon Jess, leave Miss Cass alone please." I smile, beckoning Jess back. I'm trying not to embarrass myself. Miss Cass never looked like that at school, there I only remembered baggy tops and neat slacks. I guess she got good advice on dressing professionally.
"So do you come down here often?" A question breaks into my thoughts. It was Miss Cass, talking to me.
"Umm, what.. yes. Every year for Jess' birthday. It gives her grandparents time to bond" I indicate the older couple standing with us, looking a little perturbed. I give a weak smile.
"Your parents?"
"No, my wife's." There's a little confusion, or disappointment, or something, I speak because I'm not good at social cues. "She passed away when Jess was young. We make this trip, like I said, for her to get time with her grandparents".
Miss Cass touches my arm briefly, then pulls back. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I mean I thought... I dunno what I thought." I saw a flush on her cheeks, embarrassment I guess.
"It's difficult, not something that I normally talk about" I pause for a moment, but it becomes uncomfortable quickly. "How about you? Are you here with anyone?"
"Yes, my mom" She gestures to a woman roughly the same age as my parents.
"Nice to meet you." I say as I hear the bus pull into place. "Have fun today"
"You too. Watch your dad Jess"
We get on the bus, thinking that was the end of it. I couldn't get her out of my mind. Those shorts showing off her assets so well, that little pleasant jiggle whenever she moved. They were at least one size too small, possibly two. I wonder what she was wearing underneath that allowed them to hug her cheeks so well.
A bump brought me back to reality. There was no way someone 15 years my junior would want a widower with a 10 year old. I glanced at Miss Cass one last time before turning to Jess. "So what ride are we rope dropping?"....
"A Piña CoLava please" I step to the resort bar after a full day, indulging in a cooling drink.
As I grab my drink I hear someone say, "That looks good, I'll have the same" I don't need to look, I know who it is.