Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 17
We had team teaching in my school-four teachers (English, Math, Social Studies, and Science) all sharing the same students-and this year I had a new member, a Math teacher named Paul DeVito.
He was younger than me by a few years. Over the first three weeks of school learned he was an excellent teacher and a great guy. I invited him to a cookout the last weekend of September. “Come at two. We’ll watch football and drink some beer before dinner. I have someone I want you to meet.”
“Please, Pete, don’t tell me you’re fixing me up! I’m OK, honest.”
“Yeah, right, that’s why you go home and work every afternoon…. every evening..and all weekend. You’re new to the area and you don’t know a soul. I have just the person for you-she has a great personality
“Oh no! Please, spare me! The last time someone did me a favor like that their dog was better looking.”
“Well, Celia is my wife’s best friend. She’s gorgeous, sexy, fun, and I’ve known her all her life. She’s like a sister to me. I think you’ll be perfect together, besides the worst thing that’ll happen is you’ll get a decent meal for a change.”
“OK, but if she’s a dog I’m never talking to you again.” I laughed all the way to my next class. I told Marta about my plan and she approved immediately. She called Celia, inviting her, but not telling her about Paul. also called Jimmy and Andrea, inviting them. Saturday Marta and i rose early, cleaned the house and prepped
the ribeyes I planned to grill for dinner. Jimmy and Andrea arrived
first, followed about ten minutes later by Paul. Celia was last-she was almost always late-so Paul got a good look at her as she walked through the door. I could see that he was surprised. I introduced them to each other, getting the expected reaction from Celia. She pulled me into the kitchen. “You’re fixing me up? Me? Do I look like I need fixing up?”
“No, Celia, but Paul is a great guy and he’s new in town so he knows nobody. Why not be nice to him and give him a chance? He works with me and he’s a wonderful teacher. He’s smart and funny, but he’s a bit shy. Just give him a chance…do it for me..please.” Celia shot some daggers at me but turned to the living room, smiled and sat next to Paul, engaging him in conversation. Twenty minutes later they were still talking. At halftime they walked outside, taking a couple of beers with them. The third quarter was almost over when I checked on them again. They were walking the back yard and Sara was keeping them company, playfully nipping at Celia’s shoes from time to time. I saw Celia make the first move as she reached for Paul’s hand. He took it as they continued to walk. I returned to the game.
At 4:30 Marta brought out some hors d’oeuvres. I called outside, but Celia told me they were OK. At 5:30 started the grill and cooked the steaks by six. We all talked over dinner and later played some silly board games. Jimmy and Andrea left at nine. Celia pulled Paul up from the couch saying, “We have to go, too. Thanks for a great time.” Paul looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
I saw Paul first thing Monday morning. “That Celia is some woman. She came home with me and we fucked all night, but Sunday morning she made me get up and go to Mass with her. Then we went back home and fucked all day. What an incredible woman!” I felt great that they had gotten along so well. Now it was up to them to see where it went. I wondered what Paul would think when he learned that her father was head of the Long Island mob.
That moment came a few weeks later when he came running into my classroom during our planning period. “Omigod…omigod…you… you…you’ve killed me. Her father is going to kill me. When he finds out I’ve been fucking her I’ll be dead. Thanks a lot, buddy.”
“Relax, Paul nobody’s going to kill you. I assure you Papa already knows. For one thing he knows Celia. He knows Celia can be wild and he knows she has slept around in the past. I promise you he knew that first night when she didn’t come home. Are you dead yet? Of course not, so stop worrying. Trust me…he’s much more interested in marrying her off and getting her out of the house. As long as your intentions are honorable you’ve got nothing to worry about”
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