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I’m sure many of them see me as a challenge. I never wanted to teach high school, but when I heard that Dad was sick, I felt obliged to help out in some way. This position gave me the chance to stay in Denver, and be close to Jill.
    Of course, at that stage I didn’t realize she was a student.
    My real career goal is to teach Ancient History at college level, but positions like that are hard to find. A major in history doesn’t exactly leave you with multiple job prospects. At the moment, I need to take what I can get until I build some experience.
    “Okay, guys, in your seats. Let’s get this exam underway, okay?”
    Groans fill the air, but the students slowly shuffle their way to their seats and sit down. I run through the rules and hand out the papers, announcing that it’s time to start.
     
    The rest of the day flies by as I’m distracted by thoughts of my father, Jill, and what the fuck I’m going to do. I can’t be her teacher and be with her. It might not seem like much of a jump to go from being a substitute teacher to her teacher, but for me it is.
    I’ve already broken so many of my own rules lately that I almost don’t know who I am anymore.
    ***
    Arriving home, I get inside and immediately call Mel.
    “You couldn’t warn me that Dad is having surgery?” I growl.
    She’s taken aback by my anger, and I can understand why, but she has no idea the affect this little piece of news will have on my life.
    “Nice to speak to you too, Eli,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
    “I’m sorry,” I mutter, running my hand through my hair. “It was just a shock to be told by my boss that he is having surgery. I felt like an idiot.”
    “Well, it’s your own fault for not calling to check up on him.” She sighs. “I get you’re angry at him, but don’t you think it’s time to move on? Let it go, Eli. It would mean the world to him. The guy made a mistake. He shouldn’t have to pay for that forever.”
    “Why not? Mom does,” I retort.
    “Bullshit. Mom remarried three years ago.” She sighs again, as if she knows talking to me about this is no use. “If she can move on, why can’t you?”
    Because you weren’t there. Because you didn’t have to deal with her depression and her drinking.
    “I gotta go, Mel. I’ll speak to you soon.”
    Hanging up, I find my stash of whiskey and pour myself a shot. I carry it over to the living room and sit down on my sofa. I run my hand over its thick, plush leather. There was no way I could have afforded all of this shit on my salary, especially just out of college, but Mom had insisted on helping out. She knows how bad my relationship with Dad is, so she knows how hard it is for me to be here, helping him.
    I laugh and take a sip of my drink. They all thought my being here was a step in the direction of forgiving him, but it wasn’t. I had two motivations when I received that call—seeing Jill, and staying for Jill. It’s fucked up how big a part she has ended up playing in all of this.
    Should I feel guilty? Should I suck it up and forgive him? I wish I could. I wish I could let go of everything and move on, because honestly, hating him is tiring.
    ***
    Jill: Just so you know, I find you more than a little bit sexy.
    I laugh and roll over in bed. It’s after eight and I was asleep until her text woke me—my fault for not putting my cell on silent. I sit up and press call.
    “Do you harass all your teachers in the middle of the night?” I smirk, rubbing my eyes. I glance around in the darkness of my room.
    “Middle of the night?” She laughs. “It’s barely eight o’clock! Besides, you’re not technically my teacher.”
    Not yet.
    “What are you doing?” I ask, not acknowledging her comment.
    “Studying,” she replies. “And thinking about a certain sexy teacher who I struggle to keep my hands off.”
    “I hope you mean me and not Mr. Hands.”
    She laughs hysterically. “God, he’s in his seventies, dude. And I never did get