The Holiday Exchange (Boyfriend in the Bargain)

3. Kayla

3

KAYLA

A chilly breeze makes me zip my jacket up to my chin as I exit the hardware store in a state of pleased perplexity. I feel like I am simultaneously no closer to having a finished set and also like I made a lot of progress.

Even though I made no purchases, I did walk away with the phone number of someone who seems both able and willing to help me build some stuff.

Trevor.

I don’t date a lot. Or really at all. I promised my mom before I started college that I would focus on school and work for a while and it’s a promise I’ve been happy to keep because it’s smart. Finding solid footing as a person with your own career and life before bringing in a significant other makes a lot of sense. But that doesn’t mean I don’t notice when an objectively attractive man crosses my path.

I definitely noticed Trevor.

He’s what I’d call boy-next-door handsome, with an athletic but not bulky build, medium brown hair, and a slight scruff on his chin. Black plastic glasses frame hazel eyes that seemed like they missed nothing, even though he didn’t say much .

Trevor is cute enough that I was surprised by his bashfulness. Usually, the cute ones know they’re cute. It was refreshing, in some respects. I really have no knowledge of any level of construction so he could have mansplained me with impunity.

Instead, I felt like he genuinely wanted to help me with my project. He absolutely went above and beyond in terms of service when he gave me his personal number to go with his offer of help. I actually feel a little bad about making that deal with him. I mean, I’m not sure that ‘talking to people’ is A) something I’m an authority on or B) something that can be taught.

But it’s what he asked for in exchange for building help, so I’m going to do my best. The teacher in me is already creating mental lesson plans.

I get in my car and consider what to do next. Yesterday I chose a script and sent home notes about auditions to be held next week. Today I checked ‘hardware store recon’ off my list. Now I’m at a standstill as far as prepping for the play until I can assign roles and get more information from Trevor. The good news is that I always have things to do. I picture my to-do list.

- Grab some groceries.

- Choose a new book for book club before we meet this evening.

- Get an oil change.

- Reply to the public library director’s email with times I’m available to volunteer.

- Call my mom.

I huff out a breath when the last one crosses my mind. I love my mom, but checking in with her feels like a chore sometimes. Starting my car, I decide to go ahead and call her while I drive to the grocery store. Two birds with one stone, as they say. I tap the button to call her through the car speaker system and she picks up after two rings.

“Hi Mom, it’s me. ”

“Kayla, I was just telling your father this morning that I hadn’t heard from you in a long time.”

I grimace, biting my tongue against the retort that her phone is capable of outgoing calls, not just incoming. “Sorry, I’ve been pretty busy with work and everything. How are you? How’s Dad?”

“We’re both fine. Dad’s not here right now, he’s out golfing again.”

I register the note of resentment in her voice as I shift my car into drive. She’s been after my dad to spend more time with her for almost as long as I can remember. I think she believed retirement would force him to be home more, but it turns out he’s something of a social butterfly now.

“Why don’t you go with him sometime? I know he’s offered to teach you to golf.”

“Pssh. I don’t want to go walk all over creation following a little white ball.”

I don’t know what to say to this, so I grasp around for a new subject as I merge into traffic. “How are Renee and Brent?”

“They’re great. Renee calls me every day with updates on the baby. She says everything still looks really good and healthy.”

My older sister is eight months pregnant and Mom is very much looking forward to her first grandchild. I decide not to question the dubious assertion that Renee is providing daily updates. Poking holes into this guilt trip will only make it worse.

“That’s great. Are they sticking to their guns about not finding out the gender?”

“Yes.” Mom heaves a longsuffering sigh. “You’d think people would take advantage of the miracles of technology available to them.”

I should have known better than to broach the subject. She desperately wants to know so that she can buy pink or blue monogrammed hats and bibs well in advance. And she hasn’t exactly been quiet about her opinion.

“Well, you don’t have much longer to wait now.”

“Thank goodness. How’s work going?”

“Good. I volunteered to direct the school Christmas program.”

“Oh Kayla, that’s wonderful. It will be a great opportunity for you to show the administration what a valuable asset you are.”

“Mmhmm. I’m a little nervous, though. I’ve never done something like this before.”

“Oh, you’ll do fine,” she responds dismissively. “It will be the perfect thing to include on your resume when you apply for your next job.”

“I’m sure you’re right.”

“You’ll be principal in no time.”

“Thanks, Mom. Listen, I need to go.” I pull into an open parking spot. “I just got to the grocery store and I need to get a few things.”

“Alright, hon, I’ll talk to you later.”

We disconnect and I sit for a minute, taking a few deep breaths before I grab a cart and plunge into the horde of weekend shoppers.

I don’t know why that conversation irked me. It’s no secret that no one has higher ambitions for me than my mother. She was disappointed when I told her I planned to get a teaching degree and teach elementary school rather than becoming a doctor, lawyer, or CEO. Eventually, she grudgingly accepted my choice, but she’s insistent that I climb the education ladder as high as it will go. I’m surprised she didn’t bring up her desire for me to go on to graduate school and get my master’s in education.

The thing is, I like teaching. I might want to be a principal one day, but I don’t think I’ll be ready for that for a long time. In the meantime, I’d like to gain experience while enjoying my students.

I shake my head. I won’t let one conversation derail my attitude today. I smile at myself in the rearview mirror and open the door. I have lots to do today before book club at six o’clock.