Christmas Medley

by Joannie Kay

Chapter One

Jenny Jamison read the memo from the principal and tried hard not to curse. There were times in life that murder should be justifiable, and this was one of those moments! This was the last day of school before a long holiday break, and rather than attempt to do any work, Principal Thurston had divided the day into two separate parts. In the morning there was a Holiday Talent Show for the students, and the faculty had to attend and vote and pick the winners. After that was done, an early lunch was being served, and instead of the early dismissal that Jenny and most of the staff hoped for, the Principal planned to gather the students in the large auditorium once again and announce that they had met their goal… He’d promised them a faculty talent show if they raised over $10,000 as a community service project to help the new homeless shelter in town. Somehow the kids met their goal, and now the principal was counting on his staff to fulfill the promise he made in their name!

Jenny did not want to participate, and seriously contemplated going home early, and telling Mr. Thurston she didn’t see the memo.

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“Just great! Just peachy keen! Just fucking dandy!” Dal cursed, and then looked around guiltily to make sure he wasn’t overheard. “A freaking talent show featuring the staff! Just what I need…” That quickly he got to his feet and grabbed his briefcase, trying to look innocent as he walked into the hallway. At least he was smart enough to keep his winter coat in his car. The very first year he taught school a few of his students decided to use a BeDazzler on his brand new leather jacket. Ever since then he left his coat in his car.

As he got close to the door that led to the teacher’s parking lot in back of the building, Dal spotted Jenny Jamison. She had her coat on and was headed outside. She glanced at him, and gave him a saucy, defiant look. Dal immediately wanted to spank her… Just for the principle of it. The little redhead was too feisty for words, and was constantly arguing with him at faculty meetings. Nothing was ever simple with her. If he thought an idea a good one, she picked it to pieces. If he thought something stupid, she called him stupid. And now, when he least needed any of her sass, she was blocking his escape!

“You just keep your opinion to yourself, Dal Mayberry!” Jenny ordered sharply. Of all the teachers in the building why did HE have to be the one to come after her?

“I will express my opinion when and where I please, Jenny Jamison, and if you don’t like it, too bad!” Now they sounded worse than the kids they taught!

“Of course. You are probably in cahoots with Jim Thurston!” she made him sound evil and despicable.

“Me? What about you? You are always brown nosing and sucking up. You probably encourage half of his lame-brained BS.”

“You can tattle if you want, but I’m getting out of here!” Jenny hissed.

“You’re leaving?” Dal was shocked.

“That’s what I said, and if you don’t get out of my way, I’m going to get mean and do something really awful to you!” Jenny promised.

“I really wish you would…. No, seriously, I’m begging you to take a swing at me. Please, do… All I need is an excuse to set your butt on fire. I would give a year’s salary for one hour of you over my knee with your butt all bare. I guarantee you wouldn’t sit for at least two months by the time I stopped spanking you.”

Jenny gasped, and her dark eyes grew large. “You jerk! How dare you speak to me like that!”

“Because you are always asking for it. I’ve never met a woman who needs a spanking as much as you do.

“I do not! Now move before…”

“What do you two think you are doing?” Jim Thurston’s booming voice sounded behind them.

“I have a headache!” Jenny declared.

“I have the flu,” Dal said at the same time.

“I’m going home!” they said together.

Jim looked from one angry person to the other angry person, and then he smiled. “I won’t tell anyone that you two are secretly dating… but I really can’t let you sneak out early today. Those kids deserve a talent show, and I’m sure the two of you can put something together before we get started. Now, come and help me get some props set up.”

“This is all your fault!” Jenny hissed at Dal.

“My fault? Woman, you’ve earned yourself a spanking, and you’re going to get it before this day is over, even if I have to follow you home for the holidays to give it to you.”

“You touch me and I’ll break off your arm and beat you with it!”

“Having a spat? Just give it some time, and it’ll work out. You’re both just a wee bit nervous about performing.”

NERVOUS! Jenny snorted. NERVOUS about performing in front of an auditorium full of kids? Get real!

NERVOUS! Dal wanted to sock the older man. NERVOUS about performing in front of an auditorium full of kids? Give me a freakin’ break!

Principal Thurston didn’t let the two teachers out of his sight. Neither of them was bothering to hide their temper with the other, and while he might privately think a spanking was a good way to settle a dispute between a fussing couple, he certainly couldn’t condone such behavior during school hours, and he wasn’t about to let any of his staff escape. A promise was a promise, and the students would enjoy seeing the teachers hold up his bargain. They were setting a good example and teaching good values at the same time. Both Jenny and Dal were new, and he was sure once they saw the other teachers perform they wouldn’t be so self-conscious… if they all survived Marjorie’s rendition of “My Favorite Things”. He wasn’t too happy about performing, either, but at least he knew he wouldn’t embarrass himself too badly.

Jenny went about making sure the stage was set up for performances, and she quickly realized that Dal didn’t seem to need instruction either. He was setting up the microphones as if he did it every day of his life.

Dal glanced at Jenny and nodded as she moved the piano where it could be seen and heard much better. During the kids’ show it had needed moved, but since he was not in charge, he butt out of what was happening, pasted a smile on his face, and pretended he was somewhere else for those few hours. Of course, there were several very good performances, and he was sincere in congratulating the kids afterwards. It took a lot of courage to get up there and perform for your peers.

Jenny thought perhaps she could sneak out the stage door, and apparently Dal had the same idea… but Principal Thurston shook a finger at them and sent them to sit down with the other staff members. “This is all your fault,” Jenny whispered.

“Your fault, and I’m going to make you regret it, girl,” Dal promised.

“If you two keep whispering to each other the children will get the impression they can too, and we’ll have chaos,” the very prim and proper Miss Marjorie Carlson scolded as if they were her students.

Jenny felt her temper flare, but Dal simply grinned and said, “Yes, Ma’am,” in his best exaggerated southern drawl. The minute the woman turned her back to them, he looked at Jenny and said, “I am going to spank you every day between now and Christmas… count on it.”

“Drop dead!”

“Can’t wait to hear you make a fool of yourself? What are you going to do, recite all the states and their capitals?” he asked.

“Better than reciting the time tables!” she snorted. She would show the smart ass a thing or two.

“The teachers and staff are just as proud of you students as I am, and we’re going to start our talent show with Miss Carlson.” The students clapped politely. Miss Carlson wasn’t their favorite teacher, but she was fair and the students knew it. The music teacher agreed to play the piano for her, and Principal Thurston’s worst fears were confirmed. The woman sang in the wrong key for her voice, and off key. The students watched in horrified fascination.

“Oh my God!” Dal whispered, truly in pain. He looked at Jenny and she had her eyes closed, praying. “This is your fault. My ears are bleeding!”

“So are mine,” she confessed.

It was finally over, and Dal leaned over and whispered over the enthusiastic applause. “Everyone is clapping because they’re relieved she’s done.”

“That’s a very good reason,” Jenny nodded.

The science teacher was next. He told some lame jokes, and he was his biggest fan. There was another song, and a drum solo. The band teacher doled out some jazz that wasn’t too bad. Principal Thurston did a few magic tricks, and the kids loved it when his tricks all backfired. Miss Carlson turned around and whispered with a big smile, “The Principal does this every year, but he is really quite accomplished… The kids would rather see him mess up though, and he pretends very well.” She giggled, beaming, and Jenny suddenly realized that Miss Carlson was in love with the Principal, and probably had been for many years.

One by one, the staff was called upon to make fools of themselves, and both Dal and Jenny would have been shocked to realize what the other was thinking. Jenny prayed that Dal went first, and Dal wanted her to go first.

“I’ve saved our newest staff members for last. They are going to perform together. Miss Jamison, Mr. Mayberry, will you come forward and tell us what you are planning for today?”

“I don’t want to do this!” Jenny balked.

“I sure don’t want to do it with you!” Dal countered.

“I think they are both a bit nervous since this is their first time,” Principal Thurston confided in the entire auditorium full of students and adults. “Let’s give them some encouragement,” he prompted, and started clapping. The students joined in, stomping their feet, too.

“What can you do?” Dal growled, vowing that if she said she could sing, he was going to give her a reason to sing, even if it meant going to jail!

“I am going to play the piano… and you are not going to do one damn thing to fuck it up, either!” she declared, whispering through her fake smile as the kids clapped.

“Soap. I’m going to wash your mouth out with soap!” He took her arm and squeezed hard as he ‘helped’ her up the steps. “I’m going to sing.”

“Just shut up and get this over with! Can you at least carry a tune?” she demanded.

“Better than you can play!” he snorted. He was going to show Miss Smarty Britches a thing or two. “What can you play without messing it up?”

“Whatever you can sing without messing it up!” Jenny retorted.

“Can you play ‘Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow?’ he demanded, picking up a guitar. “If not, just fake it, and play softly…”

To his shock, she let him get seated with the guitar in his lap, and then went into an introduction that was tinged with a hint of jazz… and was damn good! He picked up his cue, and started singing. He glanced at Jenny, and could see the shock in her lovely brown eyes. She knew who he was, and he wanted to curse. Of course, he put a smile on his face and performed. It had been a while, but he still knew how to capture an audience, and this was no exception. Throughout the song Dal realized that Jenny was doing more than offering support. She was a professional… and he’d heard her play before. Yes… Genevieve James! No wonder she was so damned testy all the time!

Scott Dalton! Jenny was amazed. Teaching here at Cedar Ridge…! What were the odds? When the song ended, she led right into another. She knew his music well, and she could keep this up forever.

Dal slid right into ‘Silver Bells’ as if he’d been performing with Jenny for years. She was familiar with his style… and man, could she make that piano sing! He was actually having fun… and if the contented smile on her pretty face was a sign of her inner feelings, she was enjoying herself, too.

The kids were mesmerized, and then one of the quietest kids in the school jumped up on the stage and sat at the drums. He started the Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum for ‘Little Drummer Boy’, and Jenny picked it up in a heartbeat and Dal started the words… So what if it was a public school? If the kids wanted traditional Christmas Music, they would have it. A sing along started then, and the time passed too quickly for everyone. There were boos and groans when Principal Thurston called a halt and announced the busses were all waiting outside. He wished them all Happy Holidays, and the kids left. The boy on the drums came up to Jenny and Dal and said, “This was really cool. I mean way cool. Thanks!”

“You should have entered the talent contest, Nathan. You have a lot of talent,” Jenny said sincerely.

“Naw… I play for fun. I don’t need that,” he grinned.

“You are good, Nate,” Dal said. “Once you get out of school, I’ll be happy to put you in touch with some people if you’re interested in doing this for a living.”

“No. I’ve got plans. Lost my Dad to cancer. I’ve got to find a way to help stop that from happening to other kids. You have a Merry Christmas,” he said.

“The buses are pulling out… Do you need a ride home?” Jenny asked in concern.

“I have a car, and I’m on my way to work. Thanks a lot for the offer.” He hurried out of the auditorium, leaving Jenny and Dal on the stage looking at each other.

“Genevive James,” Dal said with a shake of his head.

“Scott Dalton!” she smiled. “What are the odds of both of us ending up in a small town teaching at the same high school?”

“Fate, maybe?” he asked seriously. “You didn’t want to be caught out either, did you?”

“No. I don’t need the reporters coming here and ruining my life all over again.” She looked at him shrewdly. “You too?”

He nodded solemnly. “I couldn’t handle being in the public eye any longer. I couldn’t enjoy the music because of the paparazzi constantly digging into my personal life.” He took a deep breath, and then said quietly, “I apologize for the crack about following you ‘home’ for Christmas, Jenny. I wouldn’t have said that if I’d known who you were.”

“I know,” she whispered, but couldn’t prevent the tears from filling her eyes. She’d lost her parents and two siblings in a horrible car crash, and their funerals were ruined by all the press following her around, wanting to ask her questions… It was devastating to her, and she doubted she would ever forgive them for intruding on such a personal, painful time.

“I’m not going ‘home’ either,” Dal stated. “Would you like to spend the holidays together? I’m not proposing anything indecent, Jenny. Just a chance for neither of us to be alone for the next couple of weeks when we could spend the time together and not have to watch what we say for fear of revealing too much.”

“I’d like that, Dal. Thank you.” Her whole day seemed brighter somehow, and when Dal took her hand and led her out of the auditorium and to her class room to close up and get ready to leave for home, she was smiling happily. It was almost too good to be true. She didn’t even have to wonder whether or not to reveal her secret with Dal… He already knew and understood. What a Christmas gift!

Principal Thurston caught them as they were leaving. “You two did a great job today. The kids loved it so much, and I had no idea you could perform like that. I might call on you to help me entertain at the Senior Center sometime. I’m surprised neither of you considered a career in entertainment, but please don’t give up teaching. We need good teachers like the both of you. I hope you two get married and have kids and stay right here in Cedar Ridge. The town needs you both.” He heard the click of heels and turned to smile. “Ah, Margaret! There you are, dear. All ready?”

“Yes, Jim, I am. You both were wonderful today. I’m so proud of you! And, if Jim is right, I hope you both will be very happy together. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas,” they chorused together, and on the way to their cars, Jenny asked, “Would you like to come over for dinner, Dal? I’m planning to make Manicotti, and I’ll be eating leftovers for a week if you don’t help me eat it.”

“I love Manicotti,” Dal admitted. “I’ll bring a bottle of wine. What time should I come over?”

Jenny did a mental walk through of her home and decided it was fairly clean. “You can come whenever you wish. We’ll eat dinner about six.”

“Sounds fine.” He leaned down and kissed her lightly, and then grinned, “I’m still going to spank your bottom, though.”

“What?” Jenny exclaimed indignantly, but he was laughing and already to his car by then. “He wouldn’t dare!” she muttered to herself.