Invitation
As the students from my last class of Friday filter out into the hallway, I take a deep breath, thankful that it's now the weekend. I open my laptop and check my school emails.
"Please see me ASAP" shouts a message from Sandra, the school principal.
"Oh, dear,"
I think,
"what have I done?"
I pack up my things and wander down to the office.
"Hi, Pam," the cute young receptionist says as she sees me.
"Hi, Jill, is Sandra in?"
"Yes, she just got free."
I walk behind Jill's counter and knock on Sandra's door. "Come in," shouts Sandra. I step in and close the door behind me, wary of my impending fate.
"Oh hi, Pam, thanks for coming down."
"Of course, what's up?" I reply.
"I was wondering if you have next weekend free."
"I think so, let me check." I pull out my phone and check the calendar. "I don't have anything important, why, Sandra?"
"Bill Jackson was scheduled to go to a conference but can't make it. I thought you might like to go."
"Oh, when is it exactly?"
"The 26
th
and 27
th
-- Saturday and Sunday. It's in San Francisco. We have a room booked for Friday and Saturday night."
I look at my phone, pretending to check it while absorbing this news. I've always loved San Francisco, and it's not a long drive, so it's easy to get to.
"Uh, yeah, I can go. What's the conference about?"
"Various topics -- you can select the programs you'd like to attend. I'll send you the link so you can sign up and find out about it."
"Oh, okay, thanks. Gee, I've never been to an out of town event."
"Do you need a chaperone?" jokes Sandra. We laugh.
"No, I think I can handle myself."
"Great, well let me know next week if you have any questions."
"Sure, Sandra." I leave her office and pass by Jill. She beams at me, saying "Have a wonderful weekend, Pam. I hope it's lots of fun."
Jill is always friendly and bouncy. I'm happily married, but lately, I've been curious about women. I have to admit I've had a few fantasies about Jill. Her body is so shapely and her smile is so inviting.
I drive home, half thinking about Jill and half wondering what the conference will be like. I hope that John won't mind me going away alone. He's never been the jealous type, so I hope not.
At Home
When I get home, I see that John isn't home yet. I dump my laptop bag onto the kitchen table and walk to the bedroom, strip except for my panties and put on a comfy tracksuit. I pee in the bathroom and wash my hands and face before returning to the kitchen.
I pour myself a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and sit at the kitchen table. I open the laptop, find Sandra's new email and open the conference link. Following Sandra's suggestions, I register, putting "replacing Bill Jackson" into the notes field as she has instructed.
After receiving confirmation, I scroll through the programs. They run all day Saturday and then Sunday morning. I read through to see what they offer. I open one called
Discipline in the Classroom
. I haven't usually had problems with my kids, but in the last couple of terms, I've had some disruptive students.
It's an intensive program, running all day Saturday. The topics look like they might help me. The course is being led by Mary Constance, and there is a brief description of her qualifications. She seems competent, but from her photo, she doesn't appear older than twenty-five. But as I look at her face, something in her seems to reach out and exude power over me. I click to register for the program. It's confirmed.
I tear myself away and look for a course for Sunday morning. I choose
Spreadsheets for Teachers
, as I could use a refresher, and register for it.
I sip my wine and return to Mary's photo, feeling myself being penetrated by her gaze. "Earth to Pam," I hear through a fog. I tear myself away from Mary and turn my head. My husband John is standing next to me. "What got you all entranced?" he asks.
"Oh, hi John." I smile up at him. "Uh, I'm looking at the conference that Sandra is sending me to next weekend."
He leans down and peers at the screen. "Discipline in the Classroom. Hmm, is this a kinky thing?"
"Haha, no, it's all about maintaining control in the classroom."
"As I said, sounds kinky," he jokes. "When is it again?"
"Next weekend, in San Francisco."
"Ah, so my sexy wife is going to have a wild time in the big city!"