Leigh James

⸸

The pride he feels for his kids is something that can’t be explained most times, but watching them become the people they’re growing into is something he’s sure can’t be understood unless it’s felt. Especially given all they’d been through. His biggest fear was that despite doing his best, he’d screw them up somehow. He’d love them either way, of course. There’s no such thing of perfect and he’s the biggest example of that, his current situation making him feel like a hypocrite at the best of times, but at least he could look to his children and know he did something right and watching his son right now is just testament to that. 

He’s listening with a smile plastered to his face until she mentions she recognizes him from high school, but he’s learned about the value of a poker face the past few years so it barely falters. That time is still something of a sore spot for him. It’s not something he’s ever really gone back to address beyond a fleeting and often bitter, “glad that’s over” sort of thing. Coming back here was difficult enough, especially given the reason and what he’d already gotten himself into. Staring the past right in the eye constantly was another ordeal entirely, one he kept mostly to himself at this point. The only other person he could really talk to about it that was around was his ex and that discussion was off the table. Bringing her here was risky enough with how triggering it might be. Another reason he hated it here. 

Despite all that he continues to smile and nod. “Yeah, that’s me. So…I guess it’s something things came full circle. This one’s all grown up now.” He points at Matty, who was still a baby by the time he finished high school as he tries to recall if he remembers the woman in front of him from that time. To be perfectly honest, once he found out he was going to be a dad and became so hyper-focused on graduating and working, beyond suffering from the rumors, teasing and pressure and the people he remembers being perpetrators of that, memories of much else fall to the wayside. “I’m sorry, it might take me a minute to recall remembering you. Things got kind hectic back in those days if you know what I mean.” He offers apologetically before following her over to the piece and immediately marveling at the detail. It makes him place a hand to his chest in admiration as he reaches for his son and wraps an arm around his shoulder, squeezing gently. “Wow, you did a great job, Matthew. This is going up in the house for sure. You taught him this?” He smiles as he asks, looking over at her.

♠

“That’s alright, I barely remember half of it. I’m pretty sure we had the same art class, that is if you’re the same kid I’m remember sitting in that corner and making impressive pieces.” Leigh pointed at the opposite end of the classroom next to the desk. The classroom was set up much differently when they were there. Before the new windows were put in it was the brightest place in the room, Leigh always showed up too late to get the seat for herself. “I know people grow out of their high school hobbies but I’m glad you’re still creating, I think Matthew said you guys paint sometimes, I love that.” Leigh stood from the squatting position she was in and patted the wrinkles out of her outfit. Blue jeans and a bright sweater that was topped off with colorful dangly earrings. Of course the DILF wouldn’t remember her, the loner redhead who sat all the way across the room hunched over her drawing pad or smudging some form of paint or other over a canvas. 

“Full circle is right, I mean, not for you just that - well, even though I loved this class I hated this school. Not in a million years did I think I would end up back here, in the same classroom none the less.” She explained. “Life is weird like that.” She shrugged. 

Leigh tucked her hand under her chin as she studied how his facial features changed when he looked at his son’s work. Pride. Pride and love, care and compassion. She saw it all there on his face. Dani’s smile lit up the room and pulled out a genuine one of her own. Matthew is one lucky kid to have a dad that loved him this much and openly supported him. Sure, Leigh had a good childhood - but she didn’t really get along with her father all that much. Especially when she was in high school and smoked pot on the roof of their house at night(it was easy to reach out her bedroom window), or when she would get busted behind the bleachers at school with a dime bag. She shook the thought as her eyes drifted to Matthew. 

“See, I told you he would love it, Matthew.” She reached out and gave him a fist bump. Some kids wouldn’t return her fist bumps, they thought it was lame and outdated - but Matthew always returned hers with a smile. “He was just a little nervous to show it off. He says you’re a great artist, so I could see why.” Leigh ran a hand through her hair as she listened to him.

Eliana: Yes, downtown. Walk in next time and ask for Clay Baker. He’s the owner but he does great work too.

Eliana: Tell him Ellie sent you. 

Eliana: Also, what are you wanting to get?

⸸

As tumultuous as life had been raising his son mostly on his own for so long, the only thing Dani would have traded was being older and more prepared to be a parent. Although he did his best to do right by his kids, he feels like he’ll never be able to atone for so many things that revolved around simply being so young and making so many mistakes that came with trying to grow up and raise someone at the same time. That’s why he never took how lucky he was for the relationship between him and his oldest for granted. They were incredibly close because it was mostly just the two of them for so long and Dani wasn’t above apologizing for mistakes he’d make along the way while they were learning how that worked. The most important thing he stressed in his family is being comfortable enough to talk and express yourself (respectfully) freely. That meant taking time out each week to spend with his kids doing some sort of activity and catching each other up on things that were going on in their lives. Their feelings, whatever they needed to get off their chest. His son seemed to always gravitate towards more creative, artistic activities.

Dani watched as his son grew into his artistic talent and he tried his best not to brag about it coming from him. Music and art were also Dani’s two most important coping mechanisms growing up, and since they practically grew up together, it was an extraordinary means of bonding for the two. Needless to say he was nothing less than incredibly proud of his son wanting to show him what he accomplished for his final piece. Being so involved, Dani had already seen his son’s art evolve so much, he knew it had to be good if the kid was this exciting to show him what he’d been working on for so long.

The kids is practically bouncing as they enter the room and he greets his teacher with a sweet smile and warm hug which warms Dani’s heart to see. He follows closely behind, offering out his own hand. “Hey, nice to meet you. I’m sorry it comes so late on my part. Unfortunately my work hours fall when these things are usually being held but I’ve heard so much about you. He obviously adores your class. It’s really nice knowing there’s still teachers out there expressing the importance of creativity enough to get him this excited.” Dani smiles and gestures towards his kid.

♠

Leigh pushed herself up off the desk and returned one of her favorite students hug - of course she would never admit that to the other students because she hated when teachers treated them differently, but there was something so special and creative about this one. She messed up his hair as he pulled away and pointed at his final piece. “You did an amazing job, you rascal.” She beamed. Her attention shifted to his father and reached out to shake his hand. “Great to meet you as well! Oh, don’t worry about it, from what I hear you’re a busy man.” She said waving it off. This man seemed so familiar to her, but she couldn’t place him. “Thank you so much for saying that, most parents just come through to take a two second peek and don’t even say hello, or they don’t even come through. Sorry, just complaining.” She chuckled, biting her bottom lip. It was easy to feel discouraged by the end of the day and Leigh was bad at hiding it.

“Wait-” Leigh said, finally remembering where she knew this man from. “Dani?” She asked, her lips turning up into a smile. “Excuse me if I’m wrong, but you remind me of someone I used to know.” She reached up and mindlessly played with the necklace that hung around her neck. “Leigh, I think we were in the same year. Leigh James.” She offered her name in hopes of him remembering her.

-

Annie’s eyes widened, excitement washing over her as the woman explained her profession. “An art teacher! That’s amazing! And an incredibly dedicated one, to boot,” she gushed, genuine in her effusiveness. Annie’s own art teachers had always been formative figures in her young life and adolescence; they’d helped shaped the artist she was today, molding her work into its present-day form all while encouraging her growth both as an artist and an individual. She had nothing but fond memories of her time in Eureka High’s arts classes, and while she was, admittedly, a little sad to learn that her own teacher had apparently since retired, she was joyed to learn that someone so obviously vibrant and passionate had taken the reins. “Art class was always my favorite,” she admitted with a grin, and surveyed the woman’s supplies once again. “Will the works be on display anywhere aside from the school? I’d love to see what kids come up with.”

At the woman’s observation of her own supplies, Annie grinned, surveying her finds. “They’re for my boyfriend’s son. I figured mom and dad could always do with some new crafts. Especially at this age, it’s the ‘keep this stuff forever’ phase,” she supplied jovially. She was excited to see what Connor might do with the projects and how he’d make them his own, but just as excited to see him give them away to his parents. “And I’ll keep that in mind! I haven’t used any of this stuff since…well, since I was a little kid, so I’m not super well-versed. And I don’t usually do as much painting as I’d like to–all my stuff is digital, more or less.”

♣

Leigh beamed, leaning against her cart as she listened to the woman. “Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. The look on the kids faces when they’re expressing their creativity and dreaming up big projects is definitely worth it.” She said honestly. Leigh was always happy when she heard about the memories people had with their art teachers, they were usually kind hearted and seemed to care for their students while still giving them the space to grow creatively in class. Leigh ran a hand through her hair and pushed flyaway strands back into her messy bun. “Honestly, mine too. It was kind of like an escape.” She confessed.

Leigh gave her a smile sweet as honey when she asked if the kid’s finals would be up for display. “Actually, we’ll be having a fundraiser soon at Eureka High where they’ll be on display. I don’t say this to everyone but you don’t have to donate anything, you can just come by and check out their work.” She offered.

“Aww that’s so sweet of you, I’m sure he’ll love them. Younger kids are so fun, I love the weird creations they come up with.” Leigh chuckled. “Oh, there’s a really cute little easel over there if you’re interested. Who knows what the little Monet might have in store for us.” She added. “Ah, a fellow artist! I thought so! I hope this isn’t too forward but I would love to see some of your work, I would even trade peeks at mine as well. Though I think they’re really nothing special maybe you would enjoy them.”

“you painting your place or somethin’?” he asked, confused by the paint comment before he reached in his pocket for his silver lighter, flicking it alight for her and holding it out. “matches are pretty old school. I don’t think i’ve seen anyone carry them before. must have been pretty desperate for a smoke.”

♣

“Oh! No, I’m an painter, an artist. Well, I like to think I am at least. I guess it depends on what time of day you talk to me, side job and all that.” Leigh laughed. Her jeans were spotted with paint here and there, though they probably couldn’t be seen in the dim light. Leigh had been feeling pretty down about her painting career in the last few years as most of her focus now rested on the kids she taught at Eureka High. “Honestly-“ She took a couple of steps closer so she wasn’t calling across the sidewalk. “-I’m trying to quit and I’ve learned that if I only keep a lighter at home then I’m less likely to smoke in my car or out I’m public. So far it’s working, I’m down to like only a few a week.” She shrugged, leaning in tp light her cigarette. “And it’s been a couple of weeks since my last one.” She took a drag off her cigarette and exhaled through her teeth. 

Location: Eureka High

Leigh shook the hand of an attentive parent, thanking them for coming through. Most parents skipped her open room - not many actually cared if their kid finished a project that took them all semester to create, as long as their children were passing English and Math then they were happy. Leigh didn’t mind for the most part, sometimes parents could be overbearing and sometimes they could be the complete opposite; cold and distant. It was the kids she cared most about. She really only took this job when she moved back to Eureka to start her off, she had really planned on working at the University but something about teaching these kids made her want to stay. 

It had taken Leigh a few hours to get the room ready. She made sure all of her kids art lined the walls, each students progress displayed by the work they would turn in each month. Their year end projects sat on top of the desks which had been formed into a circle. Leigh had been leaning against her desk when she saw a figure come in through the entrance to her room as the latest set of parents disappeared. “Hello, Welcome.” She greeted the man. 

—

he let a light chuckle leave him as he shook his head, smoke leaving him as he let his eyes travel over the other. “I think I need to hear the rest of that story.” he mused, eyes moving over the snacks. “but it looks like you’ve got a night planned for yourself. planning a wild one?” he teased. 

♠

“It’s a long one so if you’re serious you better buckle up.” Leigh smirked. “Oh, definitely. Those paint fumes are no joke, I don’t think I could survive without snacks.” Her eyes lingered on his cigarette. “Hey, you wouldn’t have a light, would you?” She asked with a tilt of her head. Leigh patted the pack in her palm before ripping off the plastic. “I know from experience the matches here are all duds.”

Ariel: I mean, I don’t have tattoos, so I can’t exactly give you advice on that one....

Leigh: darn

Leigh: well, I was thinking of drawing something up for myself but I don’t know if it would transfer well from a drawing to a tattoo, you know with the line work and stuff?

Eliana: Do you want to though?

Eliana: I know someone. Have you heard of Deadly Inks?

Leigh: yes actually 🥺

Bubbly wasn’t typically Jordana’s taste, but Leigh was cute enough that the bartender amended her rigorous standards and endured the woman’s chipper demeanor. While she wasn’t religious in the slightest, Jordana tended to agree with her former rabbi’s teaching that one of the greatest moral imperatives anyone had was to sow only what they wished to reap at the end of their life. “I think that calls for two shots.” Jordana replied, grabbing another shot glass and lining it up for the woman on the other side of the bar. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t know half of what the fuck you just said. But it sounds impressive. I stick to what I know. Drinks.” Did Jordana criminally undersell her own intelligence? Most of the time, yes. She’d been a straight A student with acceptances from some of the country’s top colleges and universities. But a life of adventure had called, and Jordana had answered.

♦

“Two shots? Hell yeah, I’m celebrating tonight.” Leigh wigged her shoulders back and forth. She was happy she was here tonight, it had taken Jordana a while to get used to her but Leigh was glad she finally came around. “It’s just getting more funding.” She waved her hand as if it was nothing. “I’m just glad it means I won’t have to be paying out of pocket for all of my art supplies next year.” She sighed. She was glad this school year was almost over. “I think you’re much smarter than you give yourself credit for. Sure you’re a woman with few words, but those words always seem to come from a deeper understanding. That’s one of the reasons you’re my favorite here, don’t tell anyone.” She said the last part in a hushed tone.

“Fozzy loves Friskies, it doesn’t matter which flavor, he’s not a picky cat.” Maia sighed. “But, it looks like they’re out of the multi-packs and I don’t know. Maybe I’ll buy something different til I can get the multi-pack.”

“Well, I had a cat when I was a kid - before he wandered off in the forest, or at least that was the story my parents fed me, anyway - he was the pickiest eater around and would only eat Meow Mix.” Leigh reached out and traced the shelf with her finger. “Ah, here’s a multipack of that with a few different options if he’s willing to try it.” She stepped back and spotted the food she came in for, picking up a big bag of dog food and slumping it over her shoulder.