When You Come Back by Webb Debra

Author:Webb, Debra
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pink House Press
Published: 2019-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

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Twenty-five years ago Ms. Stella Larson, only twenty-four at the time was a new teacher at Jackson Falls and being the low woman on the totem pole she was tasked with taking over as cheerleader sponsor. Old Mrs. Stedman had retired the year before. Someone had to do it. As it turned out, Larson had been a cheerleader in high school and in college. Unmarried and childless, she was happy to fill her after school hours with extracurricular activities.

Funny how people always assumed if you didn’t have a husband and/or kids you had nothing better to do than their bidding.

The current school year was nearing an end but next term’s squad would already be working on routines and organizing summer camp. I find Ms. Larson and her squad behind the new gym—the one that was built the year after I graduated. The girls are jumping around and doing flips on the field. The ones with the experience are critiquing the new girls. In my opinion high school is painful enough without adding some extra activity that involves pointing out your faults and belittling your form.

I haven’t set foot on school property in fifteen years. Reunions always seemed to come on the wrong date. I was either out of the country or in the middle of a dig, sometimes both. Not that I would have come anyway. It wasn’t like there was anyone from my school days—besides Letty—that would draw me back for such an event.

I should ask Letty if she’d ever attended one. As the sheriff she might feel compelled to make community appearances in hopes of maintaining support.

Something else to which I have no desire to serve—the mercy of the public. Too many politicians are either fools or egomaniacs. In some cases, maybe both. I wonder if Letty’s job will change her over time. Will she be forced to pander to the wealthy and the powerful to stay in office?

I can’t see that happening.

Shifting my attention back to the here and now I watch Larson for a moment. Like Mallory, Stella Larson is physically fit and youthful looking. She wears khaki shorts and a white polo along with the same blue sneakers her cheerleaders wear. As I approach her on the lower run of the bleachers she glances up, shielding her face from the sun setting behind me.

“We have another half-hour of practice,” she says, evidently believing I’ve arrived to pick up a member of her squad.

Do I look old enough to have a teenager? I certainly feel like it most days.

“You probably won’t remember me,” I begin as I take a seat a few feet from her.

“Emma.” She smiles and her hand immediately reaches for mine. “Sure I remember you. Not to mention you’ve been in the news a couple of times lately. It’s wonderful to see you.” Sadness touches her face. “I’m so sorry to hear about Natalie and Stacy.” She inhales a deep breath. “Of course, there was little reason to believe they were still alive, but it’s nevertheless painful to lose that slight hope even after all these years.

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