The Art of Getting By

"So how was the pizza party?" My father asks, his voice betraying the fact that he is actually not all that interested. He stabs a pea with his fork in one hand and responds to a client with his other. Mom on the other hand is sitting at attention. She sends a glare my dad's way but he doesn't notice. My mom really values family dinner time. She has to make up for her absence somewhere right?

"It was great!" Eli shouts from across the table. Of course he thought it was great. He got to eat a boat load of pizza and cupcakes. "My friends really liked Eli. So did Mr. Price!"

The mention of the man's name has goosebumps rising up on my arms. I ignore Eli's comment and shove a chunk of chicken into my mouth. Can't answer if my mouths full. Mom taught me that.

"Ah that's right!" Dad has finally caught mom's not so subtle glares and has put his phone in his pocket. "The meddlesome old guy. How was he Danny?" Why does everyone seem to be so caught up with this guy? Can't I just move on from that awkward experience?

"Well he's definitely not old." I respond scooping more peas onto my plate, attempting to seem apathetic about the whole thing.

"Oh really?" Mom asks. "I really need to get the details about him from Donna." The mention of the woman has me strangling the handle of my fork. The crazy bitch. I wonder if her husband knows about her taste for younger men. I wonder briefly if I should tell my mom about it, but I suddenly feel embarrassed so I chuck that idea.

"Yeah. You should totally do that." I agree before shoving a spoonful of peas into my mouth. I remember how Mr. Price had seemed to unknowingly pry me from the woman's claws. I feel a sudden ache in my chest, and a strange desire to see the man has me glaring down at my plate. I barely met the guy. Why would I already be missing him?

"He's so cool mommy! He's bigger and stronger than daddy!" Eli emphasizes this difference with a dramatic wave of his arms. Dad eyebrows twitch in a mixture of disbelief and offense.

"Well I don't know about that Elijah I'm-

"He's pretty big." My voice interrupts my dad before I even realize I'm talking. My dad stares at me with raised eyebrows waiting for an explanation for questioning his masculinity. What the hell Danny. You just can't keep your mouth shut can you? I cough awkwardly lifting my napkin to my mouth to wipe away some non-existent food. "Uh what I mean is, he's like at least six foot four. Like the dude is towering. Uh, and he's pretty young like he's gotta be in his 30's. Might even be the youngest teacher at the elementary." In fact I'm positive he's the youngest teacher at the elementary, at least according to the wall of staff photographs. Let's just say the elderly population of the town is a lot higher than normal.

"He's like a super hero!" Danny giggles lifting his little bicep into the air and puffing out his chest. His attempt at muscularity has me snorting into my class of water.

"Wow sounds like we really need to meet this guy!" Mom is obviously a bit more interested in Mr. Price than dad is. Maybe it's the gossipy old lady in her blooming. "I wonder if it would be a good idea to invite his family over for dinner one of these days. I could use a new girlfriend."

"He's not married." I smash my mom's dreams for a weekend tea gathering to the ground with no remorse then I get up to wash my dish. Anything to keep the gossipy old lady brain from rubbing off on me. I'm already infected as it is.

"Not married?" Mom questions in shock turning around in her chair to look at me with wide eyes. "He sounds like quiet the catch, why wouldn't he be married?"

"Well jeez mom I don't know I'm not him." I don't think my eyes could roll further back into my head if I tried. Although I can't say I'm not curious. Why isn't he married? I mean he is obviously an attractive guy, and he probably knows it too. He seems to pay himself a lot of attention, if his neck snapping biceps are any indication. I have a hard time believing he struggled with getting a girl into his bed back in whatever city he came from, especially with those eyes. And that smile....and that deep hypnotic voice....