Caroline's Seduction (Montgomery Family and Friends) by Iris Abbott Page A

soon as possible.  She waited her turn to hug and congratulate Abigail.  “I’m really happy for you and Mason.  Both of you are fantastic parents.  This baby is going to be so lucky to be a member of such a wonderful family.”  She gave Abigail an apologetic look.  “I’ve got to go,” she rushed out.  “I’ll call you later before the weekend is over!”
    Caroline knew that the Montgomery women and Kyle watched her hurried exit.  It didn’t matter.  The only thing that mattered right then was reliving her personal hell in private.  Caroline managed to make it back to her apartment before she broke down.  Even though it was August in northern Florida, she was chilled to the bone.  She changed into a sweat suit and curled into her grandmother’s antique rocking chair.  Then she cried.  She cried over the loss of a child that might have been, the loss of a one-sided love she couldn’t seem to forget, and the cruel twist of fate that had brought him back into her life after all these years. 
    ******
    Caroline looked at the clock on her classroom wall.  It was after six-o’clock.  She’d spent the past three hours setting up tomorrow’s lab for the biology honors classes.  It made for a long day and it was well past time to go home.  On her way to the faculty parking lot, Caroline walked past the student loading zone.     She noted a lone silhouette and stopped when she realized it was Sarah.
    “Sarah,” she called to get the girl’s attention without startling her.  “It’s after six.  I can’t believe you’re still here.”  Caroline walked over to the curb where Sarah was standing in the vacant parking area.
    “Hi Ms. Johnson, I know what you mean.  Volleyball practice ended over thirty minutes ago.  I can’t believe my dad’s so late.”  The girl stopped suddenly and gave Caroline a guilty look.
    “It’s all right Sarah.  He’s your dad.  Of course you have to mention him occasionally.  I got over it and him a long time ago.”  Caroline told the fib with a straight face.  There was no need to make her student feel uncomfortable.  Sarah couldn’t help who her father was.  Also maybe if she said it enough times it would eventually become true.
    Caroline didn’t like the thought of a teenager especially a female being in the parking lot alone this late.  “I was on my way home, but there’s no hurry.  I think I’ll just sit here with you.  That is if it’s all right with you?”
    “Sure,” the girl looked hesitant.  “If you don’t mind waiting, I’d be grateful.  I can’t believe you’re still here at school this late.”
    Caroline shrugged.  “Normally I’m not, but I had a lab to set up.  Some take longer than others to prepare.”  She changed gears.  She didn’t want to talk about Kyle, but she didn’t really have much choice.  “Have you tried calling your dad?” 
    Sarah gave her a guilty look.  “I spent the time between the end of last period and the start of volleyball practice talking to my best friend back in Georgia.”  She held up her useless phone.  “My battery died.”
    Caroline nodded.  It was a typical teenage occurrence.  She’d seen it happen several times in the four years she’d been teaching.   “Maybe your dad forgot he was supposed to pick you up this evening,” she suggested.
    “Impossible.  It’s just the two of us.  I’m not old enough to drive and I don’t know anyone else on the team well enough to carpool.  He knows he has to pick me up from school everyday.”
    Caroline didn’t know why she was defending Kyle, but she couldn’t seem to help herself.  “Well your dad is a busy man.  Maybe time just got away from him.”  Caroline dug through her purse and pulled out her phone.  She offered it to her student.  “Why don’t you use my phone?”
    “Would you call him for me?  Please,” the girl implored.  She wasn’t stupid.  Her dad was going to be angry when he found