Monday, April 4th

Mr. Johnson.  What a boring name for that amazing teacher.  When Ms. Murphy left, I was convinced we'd end up with one of those old, frumpy subs she always has.  But instead, we got Mr. Johnson.  I'm sure almost all of the girls in my class have developed a crush on him just after the one day—he's cute, and really smart, too.  He knows his subject so well, and is an excellent teacher, but he can only be three or four years older than I am at the most!  He dresses smartly, with a tie and everything, and he wears these glasses that are continually sliding down his nose.  His black hair is a little long, beautifully framing his young face.  I must admit, he's quite the guy, but I'm not boy-crazy like all those other girls.  I'd rather have him as a friend than anything else.

There was something strange, though.  When he took attendance, he seemed to know me already, though this is the first time we've ever met.  He called my name, "Marissa Thomas?" but before I could respond, he was putting a check on his sheet, saying, "Oh, right, I saw you walk in."  How had he known who I was?

Tuesday, April 5th

Something weird happened again today.  Mr. Johnson seems to not only know me, but my parents as well.  I hadn't taken any notice of it yesterday, but he had been wearing a little pink ribbon on his collar—you know, for breast cancer—and today he was wearing it again.  When class was over, he called me up to his desk and asked me how my mother was.  Confused, I told him she was fine.  He asked if she had finished her chemo treatment yet and I said no, she hadn't, but it was going smoothly and should be over soon.  Then he presented me with a small basket of flowers to give to her.  I left with the flowers, but I was a little creeped out by his knowledge of Mom's condition so I threw them out before I got home.  I told Mom he hoped she'd get better soon and she smiled and said, "That's very sweet of him, but I would appreciate it if you wouldn't speak of my condition to everyone you meet."  I assured her I wouldn't and went to my room.  Why does he know so much about me?

Tuesday, April 5th, evening

Dad brought up the subject at dinner, asking me about my new teacher.  I think Mom told him a little bit about what happened that afternoon, because he seemed more invested in my answers than he usually would be.  Most days he just nods and eats his food quickly, finishing before me or Mom, and then retreats to the office where he stays until going to bed.  But today he was not only starting conversations, but paying attention to the responses.  I said I didn't really know much about Mr. Johnson except that he was really smart and likeable and that I thought his first name was Prentice but I wasn't very sure.  At this last bit of information, Dad's eyebrows rose, and he glanced meaningfully at Mom, but said nothing.  Do my parents know Mr. Johnson?  Is that how he knows my name?  Is that how he knows about Mom?

Friday, April 8th

Nothing else strange has really happened, but I believe my friends think Mr. Johnson has a crush on me.  Apparently they know about the flowers, but they don't know they were intended for my mom.

Sunday, April 10th

I spent Saturday night at Kelsey's house and when I got home my parents were arguing about something.  They heard the door open and lowered their voices, but I can still catch the occasional word from my room.  Something about me...something they haven't told me...umm...I think Mom wants to tell me but Dad doesn't...ugh, I don't know.  I hate it when they argue.  I can never do anything about it!

Sunday, April 10th, evening

I asked Mom what they were fighting about and she told me not to worry, it was all okay now.  But she was quieter than normal, she wasn't chatting about her day or anything, and Dad was giving off angry fumes, stabbing at his salmon as though it were still alive and refusing to die.  They really need to work on their acting skills.  It is so obvious everything is not "all okay."

Monday, April 11th

Mom and Dad seem to have made up, so that's good.  I still want to know what they were arguing about, though.  It's got to be something about Mr. Johnson, the timing just can't be a coincidence, but what are they hiding from me?  What aren't they telling me?

Tuesday, April 12th

There was an extra car in our driveway, so I entered quietly, figuring Mom had a friend over and not wanting to get caught in the middle of all the ridiculous attention they pile on me ("Oh, look how she's grown!  Nearly a woman now!" and all that other junk).  I glanced in the kitchen and nearly cried out in my surprise—Mr. Johnson was sitting at the table, talking animatedly with Mom, who was laughing and wiping her eyes.  I don't think they saw me because when I was about to leave, they stood up and embraced warmly, and then my mom thanked him for coming, cheeks shining with tears as she told him how much it meant to her.  I fled to the living room and hid behind the couch, watching as he left.  When Mom returned to the kitchen, I opened and closed the front door loudly, calling out, "I'm ho-ome!" before going to the kitchen for a snack.  Feigning ignorance, I asked Mom why her cheeks were wet with tears.  As I expected, she brushed away my question, blaming her chemo therapy for giving her weird mood swings.  Like I'd ever believe that.  But I just nodded and brought my glass of orange juice to my room.

Tuesday, April 12th, evening

After dinner, Mom disappeared into the office as well and she and Dad started talking.  I followed and tried to listen at the door, but they were whispering and all I could tell was that it had something to do with whatever it was they weren't telling me.  After several fruitless minutes, I gave up.

Thursday, April 14th

Mr. Johnson told us we'll have a sub tomorrow.  There's some "family business" he needs to attend to.

Thursday, April 14th, evening

I HATE ALL THIS SECRECY!!!  Dad won't tell me anything and all Mom says is that it'll all make sense tomorrow.  Grgh.  It's infuriating how calm they are.

Friday, April 15th, evening

I.  Cannot.  Believe.  This is happening.  To me.

On my way out the door, Mom called me back to the kitchen and told me I would stay home from school today so that there would be plenty of time to do everything.  She then proceeded to ignore me fore the next hour and a half while she and Dad got ready for the day.  Then things started getting really weird.  The doorbell rang and Dad yelled out, "I got it!" and ran for the door.  The mystery guest turned out to be Mr. Johnson, of all people, and was ushered into the kitchen and seated across from me.  My parents beamed at me.  "Well, Marissa, your mother convinced me it was best you know this.  This is Prentice.  He's your brother."

Yeah, my brother.  Mr. Johnson is my freakin' BROTHER!  That's why he knew so much about me!  We spent the rest of the day talking.  After a few hours, Dad had to leave for work and Mom left us alone so we could have some "bonding time."  It turns out, Prentice is actually my half-brother and Dad is Mom's second husband.  After Mom's divorce with guy number one (still not sure who the heck he was), Prentice went to live with his dad while Mom got remarried and had me.  After the first few years, she lost contact with Prentice, which was why she got so emotional the day I had seen him in the kitchen—it was the first time she talked with her son in nearly 20 years!  He's 21 now (three years my senior).  Apparently, his dad joined the navy after the divorce and is away very often.  He and Mom are still friends (even though they haven't talked in forever either) and after tracking him down via the navy and a very long and emotional phone call several days back—it seems to have taken place while I was at Kelsey's house and was the cause of the argument—it was resolved that Prentice would live near us and become a part of our family.  His dad said he felt it would be best for everyone since he couldn't spend too much time with his son anyway, since he didn't want Prentice to keep having to move every few years.  After all, Prentice was an adult and could look out for himself now.

I have a brother!  I still can't believe it.

Sunday, April 17th, evening

Yesterday was a whirling blur of color.  I spent the day with Prentice and he drove me into the city and took me around to see the sights.  He had an apartment there and we stopped by for lunch.  Then we walked to the convenience store on the corner of his block and bought ice cream.  The weather was beautiful, clear blue sky with a few wisps of cloud, and the sun shone down on our heads, heating us up and melting our ice cream.  It was perfect.  Prentice is everything I ever could have wanted in a brother.  Huh.  My amazingly cute, smart, kindhearted English teacher turns out to be my brother.  Fate certainly has mysterious ways, if you believe in such things.

...I wonder what my friends will think.  They're gonna be soo jealoous..

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A/N: Originally written March 2014