Late, late, late -- I am going to be late. I muttered this mantra to myself as I ran to my car. It was 7:32 and I was supposed to check in by 8:15 at the seminar. I was headed to a teacher's seminar at a hotel about forty-five minutes from my house. The day was already hot and humid. I needed to pick up a few extra classes so I would have a better chance at getting a substitute teaching job at one of the schools close by. I had just graduated and thought these classes over the summer could help me with the job hunt. I wanted a job at one of the suburban schools instead of one of the inner city schools. Driving would be a nightmare if I had to commute to the city everyday.
I threw my purse, wedge shoes and backpack onto the passenger seat of my slightly used, two-door Ford Taurus. It was an ugly green color -- it did not reflect anything about my true personality -- other than I was poor and frugal and now running late.
I wound down my windows as the air conditioning was on the fritz. The air cooled the perspiration on my forehead and neck. I hiked my skirt up and spread my legs, trying to get as much air flow around my body as possible. My short blonde bob was blowing and I was sure I would look like I had slept on it by the time I got there.
I hadn't been sure what the dress code was, so I had thrown on a light, summer cotton skirt. It was white with pink stripes. I put a pink cami on under a short sleeved, white blazer. I tried to wriggle out of the blazer while I entered the stream of traffic onto the expressway. "Damn!!' I yelled as I saw the line of traffic -- going the same direction as me -- all shimmering in the July summer heat. I threw my blazer on top of my purse and backpack.
The backpack reminded me of something else I had neglected to do -- buy a briefcase. How was I supposed to look professional when I still carried my backpack from college? My first paycheck I would buy one -- mental note.
Me and the rest of the mad rush crept along at a snail's pace. I was sweating again. I could feel it trickle down my back, right down the crack of my ass. Great, now I would look like I had sat in a puddle on the way here. Mental note #2 -- second paycheck I was getting my air conditioning fixed -- then again by that time of year I would no longer need it.
The traffic's pace quickened as I took the exit to the hotel. I held my arms up so the air could dry me. My car clock read 8:09 -- I just might make it!! I pulled into a space and hurriedly slid into my shoes as I threw my blazer on and swung both my purse and backpack over the same arm. I hopped towards the door, tugging at my blazer and running a hand threw my hair.
I passed between the doors of the hotel and stopped at the information board to see where I needed to go. I found my meeting room number and ran down the stairs to the registration area. I signed my name and picked my power point slide packet. Thank God there was air!!! I had begun to cool down and feel a little more confidant of myself as I entered the room and took a seat towards the back, on the other side of the room.
I set my packet down on the table and began to get my self organized. I turned my cell phone off and grabbed a pencil and note pad out of my backpack. I looked around the room, it looked like there was about 50-60 seats and most of them were already occupied. I spied the ice water and coffee machines at the very back of the room. The class would start at any minute -- I jumped up and got both a glass of ice cold water and a cup of luke-warm coffee. As I turned to make my way back to my seat I saw a woman enter the room.
She walked towards my seat. I watched her calf muscles flexing in her high heeled pumps as she walked across the room, with me trailing behind her. She looked older than me, had long brunette hair, was tall and slim and was pulling the chair out next to mine. It was at that moment I felt the luke-warm coffee as it spilled down my leg and formed a puddle in my shoe.
"Shit." I muttered to myself
"Excuse me?" The brunette said.
"Oh, sorry. I thought I whispered. Ummm, I spilled my coffee." I stumbled through my explanation as I took my shoe off and wiped my leg with a napkin.
"Here, you can use mine too." She offered as she bent down and wiped my ankle.
I jumped at her touch. Her hair spilled over her shoulders and brushed against my knee. Her shirt hung open as she bent over my leg. I could see right down her chest, her push up black lace bra held her smallish breasts beautifully. Her perfume tickled the inside of my nostrils. Her black skirt had ridden up her thighs a little as she was stooped over. I was very surprised to see the tops of black lace thigh high stockings -- even in the summer!!!
She was beautiful.
"Oh, thank you." I managed to say.
"Not a problem. You would be shivering in here with the air if you stayed damp!!" She laughed as she tossed her hair back behind her shoulders and re-adjusted her skirt.
I got myself situated and got ready for the seminar. I couldn't help but steal looks at her. I could hardly pay attention to the seminar. There was something about her.
Lunch break consisted of the hotel setting up boxed lunches in the back of the room and then you ate at your table where you had just sat for the seminar.
"I'm Kathy." I said as I held out my hand.
She took my hand, "Pam, I'm Pam."
We shook, her nails were painted a soft peach I noticed as she pulled her hand back and we stood.
"What school district are you from?" She asked as we took our place in line to get our lunch.
"I don't have a home district yet. I just graduated in June and I am hoping to either work in Easton School District or I guess my second choice would be Reeceville School District. Reeceville is further away for me and I really would prefer to not be driving to the city everyday. How about you?" I said as I grabbed my boxed lunch and a diet Pepsi.
She grabbed the same lunch and drink as I did and we walked back towards our table. "I teach at Easton School District now. I have been there for 8 years." I almost stubbed my toe on my chair as I was watching her lips with her sparkling peach lipstick, instead of where I was walking.
We sat and ate our lunch. Chatting about where we lived and our families. I learned she was married and her husband's name was John. He worked in sales and was away on business. She taught first grade -- which was exactly what my choice would be - if I got my first choice. We endured the rest of the afternoon listening to the speaker and earning our credits.
The seminar ended a little early -- at about 4:15. We gathered up our things and walked out of the building together.
"It was nice to meet you." Pam said as she shook my hand again.
"You also -- I hope I will see you around school!" I said.
We parted ways and I peeled my blazer off as I threw my stuff back on the seat.
Lace thigh high stockings -- in the summer!! I was stuck on that one thought as I tried to start my car. I was happily entranced in the stockings until I realized the car was not turning over. Ok, so I hadn't had the car looked over by a mechanic like dad had said I should before I bought it!
I tried it three or four more times just in case it was just hot and sweaty like I was becoming.
Click -- click -- click. Click -- click --click.