My name is Paul and I am a retired educator who after putting in thirty-plus years of service in the State's educational system, realized I had enough. I had jockeyed my way up the system from a probationary teacher through the administrative ranks to become the superintendent of one of the four Oahu geographic districts. As the district superintendent, I oversaw a handful of complex superintendents who in turn were responsible for the K-12 schools in their respective complexes.
I was proud that my district was known for complexes and schools that exceeded our educational goals, were efficiently administered and enjoyed needed funding, support, and stability. This was accomplished by me being proactive in introducing new academic initiatives and dealing with the crises that came with change. Ironically, the drive to succeed that had driven me all these years had somehow faded once I succeeded.
It dawned on me if I continued in the same old rut, I'd eventually burn out and leave this system to which I had dedicated my life, bitter and disillusioned. It, therefore, came as a surprise to nearly all that at fifty-seven-years of age, I had decided to retire, electing to go out while at the top of my game.
My decision sent shockwaves throughout the educational system. My higher-ups fervently tried to dissuade me so as to avoid a leadership upheaval that may spread to other districts as administrators maneuvered to fill my void. My district people plead for me not to retire since doing so might disrupt the gains that we had made. Nearly all said that I was being foolish because I wouldn't be eligible to draw Social Security for at least another nine years.
Yet, the way I looked at it, I had no mortgage or major debts, had the income from a few of my investment rental units, and had my well-earned pension with great benefits. As I figured it, I would be financially comfortable and could enjoy my life to its fullest while I still had my mental faculties and physical well-being.
The one thing I didn't anticipate, however, was that my retirement would prove challenging because of a lack of championship. This was in large part due to my being a confirmed bachelor who while having my fair share of female dalliances, found none of them long-termed or special material. It did not help that all of my dating interests came from the educational system and as such, I had to avoid any involvements that might be professionally compromising or personally bias my position. But in retrospect, my bachelorhood was because I never found a woman who captivated my attention and maintained my interest.
As told by those trying to fix me up, I was a catch. I was reasonably handsome for a Japanese-American man who stood about five-foot-eleven and was in good shape, mentally and especially physically. Besides my various investments, my value was further enhanced by having a mortgage-free four-bedroom house that I had inherited and had renovated with my own hands. My only problem was that I didn't have that special someone with whom to share my life.
This dilemma continued until I needed to pay for my county property taxes that for some reason had been misplaced on my work desk at home. The fastest way was to go to the nearest county satellite city hall and make a direct payment before the deadline. However, on Oahu, you have to show up extra early (like a couple of hours before the office opened), stand patiently in line, and wait to be served on a first-come-first-serve basis at the nearest city hall. I remember standing at the end of the line that had already formed when I heard, "Excuse me. Is this the line for the satellite city hall?"
Turning around I was stunned by a pretty Japanese-American woman who stood about five-foot-three, with shoulder-length brown hair, large captivating slightly almond-shaped eyes, a cute nose, and an inviting mouth. I figured that she was in her mid-twenties and couldn't help but notice a special glow to her - a certain but indescribable appeal. It didn't hurt that her form-fitting top noticeably but tastefully displayed her full breasts that filled her bra nicely. She had a slender waist with a slight belly pudge that I found incredibly feminine since I dislike skinny gaunt women. Her stretched jeans outlined her modest hips, tight buns, and shapely legs.
Standing in line with nothing to do but wait, we struck up a conversation. Her name was Yukiko and much to my surprise, she was a special education teacher at an elementary school that used to be under my administrative purview. She had been born and raised in Illinois and then moved to Hawaii from Chicago a little over two years ago after attending a job fair while visiting the Islands. Yukiko made her decision because of the Islands' diverse and accepting cultures, the warm climate, and the love she had for her job.
Yuki (as she told me to call her) talked freely about loving her special needs students and how she had a good support team at her school. I knew that Yuki was a "special" special ed teacher by the way she talked about the long hours and a lot of paperwork with no prep period and how she didn't mind it because of her kids. Whereas her peers eagerly looked forward to long summer break, Yuko already missed her kids and aides even though the end of the school year ended just two weeks ago. With her fingers crossed, she hoped that she was good enough to be offered tenure before the next school year started.
When she asked what I did, I offhandedly responded, "I'm retired, Yuki, and believe it or not, from the same educational system that you hope to become a permanent part of. What did I do? Oh, a little of this and a lot of that..."
"Now you've piqued my curiosity. Come on, Paul, out with it. What did you before you retired? Please tell me."
"You must be very devoted to your class not to know my name. Why? Well, I was the District Superintendent who oversaw schools...to include yours.
"I thought your name sounded familiar," a surprised Yuki gasped. "I just envisioned you being...older...not so young-looking."
"Well, let me assure you that I'm old enough to be your father. And Yuki, while I'm offering assurance, special education teachers are always in demand...especially good ones like you. I have to say that listening to you, I am very impressed." Then after a pause, I took a chance with this charming young woman, "Say, I don't mean to offend you but I happen to know your principal because we golf together every once in a while. Would you mind if I put in a good word for you? No promises or guarantees but..."
Yuki squealed in utter delight and unexpectedly hugged me, pressing her spongy breasts against me. Gushing with appreciation, Yuki asked me to please do so and before I could respond, gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. Needless to say, our public display of affection drew the attention of the entire line of people who were waiting for the satellite city hall to open. Composing ourselves, I mentioned that I was standing in line to pay my country property taxes before tomorrow's deadline, and asked Yuki why was she waiting.
The look on Yuki's face change from exuberance to dismay as she hesitated before reply. "I'm changing the name on my driver's license back to my maiden name. My husband, Regis, informed me by text...can you believe it...that our divorce has been finalized and my papers are in the mail.
"We were engaged when we move here and I think he only did so to follow me. In retrospect, I shouldn't have married him because he didn't want to live in Hawaii. He grew more and more unhappy with Hawaii...and our marriage...and perhaps me. I should have seen it coming but I was so wrapped up with school and the students that I didn't.
"As a pharmaceutical representative, traveling was part of Regis' job. The only thing was that he seemed to be traveling more and staying away for longer periods. I didn't even suspect that he had found someone else...back in Chicago...where all of his friends and family are. Regis informed me during this past Spring Break that he had filed for divorce and had only returned to pack his things. I pleaded with him to give me a chance...but after a long weekend of trying, he left me."
"Hey, that's a really bum deal and you deserve better, Yuki. Regis sounds like a real asshole and although it may not seem like it now, in the long run, you'll be thankful that you parted ways with him. Look, I know that we've just met, but I like you - pure and simple. If you need help or someone to talk to, call me." With that said, we exchanged cellphone numbers which brought a smile back to Yuki's lovely face and another quick kiss to my cheek (something that I was getting used to).
"I could use a friend, Paul. When Regis was here last, his divorce intentions threw me for a loop. I foolishly tried to persuade him using my feminine 'charms' if you know what I mean. Regis had no qualms having sex with me but left me after using me. Well, he left me with a divorce present as I would discover later...I'm pregnant. At first, the bastard tried to say the baby wasn't his...then, he tried to get me to abort it...finally, he said that my pregnancy would stop our divorce, but that he'd pay child support."
