Part 16 (1/2)
Atensely waiting Ezra pulled her aside as soon as she entered the school lobby. ”I have to talk to you,” he said.
”What's up?”
”Not here. My office.”
”No.”
”No, we can't go to my office?”
”No to whatever it is you want to ask me in it.”
They walked speedily down the hall and into Ezra's comfortable, chaotic, book-lined chambers. It must be nice to be head of the department.
She fell into his visitor chair. ”Whazzup?”
”I'm not asking you anymore. I'm begging you. You have to save us.”
”Ezra, I told you a thousand times. I've thought about it. I talked to Jared about it. To you. To Maggie. To Bo. I've written to Che about it.”
”How is our little professional protester?”
”Not pregnant. But I'm talked out.”
”Will you hear me out?”
”Ezra, you got Leroy. What's wrong with him?” She smirked. ”Besides wanting to stage a two-man play for spring?”
”Leroy said he'd prefer not to do it,” admitted Ezra. ”His kid is failing math.”
”So you want me to do it so my kids will fail math? My kid is already failing Englis.h.!.+”
”They're honor students!”
”Not Asher. Not Michelangelo. He glues all day. Can't get far in life with glue, Ezra.”
”Bring him. Bring them both. I'll tutor them.”
”You'll tutor Michelangelo.” Larissa looked down into her hands with incredulity. ”Tutor him in what? Obstinacy? Sculpture?”
”We'll pay you.”
”Jared works his a.s.s off all week. We can't both be away from the kids.”
”You won't be away. Studies have shown that children benefit from seeing their parents be successful at something other than parenting.”
Larissa stared at him. ”Are you making this c.r.a.p up?”
”Yes.”
She laughed. ”Ez, what am I supposed to do when Emily has cello in Chatham, and Asher a track meet in Maplewood, and I'm in Short Hills in the afternoon directing G.o.dot? You haven't thought this through.”
”I have, too. We'll rehea.r.s.e on Sat.u.r.days. And please, not G.o.dot.”
Larissa said nothing. Ezra took that as encouragement.
”It's just for two, three months. Play goes on in June. If you don't want to continue next fall, we'll get someone else. I promise. Denise will come back.”
”Denise is going to leave her baby and come back?”
Straightening his red tie, Ezra adjusted his falling-down crooked gla.s.ses, beaming at her. ”We have a deal?”
Larissa shook her head. ”Ez, do you remember how the parents hated me at the Hudson School?”
”No, they loved you. But a little diplomacy here at Pingry wouldn't kill you.”
”It's either the play or diplomacy.”
Ezra nearly clapped. ”So we're set? Auditions are next week.”
”How can that be? We haven't chosen a play yet! Or should we stick with Leroy's terrific suggestion? In an instant it all will vanish and we'll be alone once more in the midst of nothingness. What, that's not inspiring enough for spring?” Larissa smiled. This diversion for herait was ideal. The offer came along at just the right time. This would take her mind off things, let her get back on track.
”Lar,” Ezra said, helping her up from the chair, ”let's go and announce the good news and choose a play. Try to think of something appropriate.”
”How much time do I have?”
Ezra looked at his watch. ”Can you think while we walk down the hall?” He pulled her up by her elbow. ”Hurry. Meeting started fifteen minutes ago.”
”How can the meeting have started? We're not there!”
”Come on,” he said prodding her out. ”Fret as you walk.”
”Ezra, you've gotten very demanding since you've become department head.” Picking up her purse, she took out a lipstick. ”I liked you better absent-minded and lackadaisical.” Without a mirror, she applied a shade of pink beige to her lips.
”We don't have an hour fifty-five, Larissa,” Ezra said, watching her.
She didn't want him to know she was grateful. She wanted him to think she was grudging. Otherwise, how to explain her sudden exhilaration?
But no matter how welcome the distraction, the everyday stress of theater, the demand of it made her anxious even as she rushed down the sunlit hallway. ”What if I can't do it, Ez? What if it's just too much for me?”
”You'll be fabulous. We don't want someone who never reaches. You always reach, Larissa. For places other people can't go. That's why we need you.”
”Plus you're desperate.”
”That, too.”
They stopped at the double doors of the conference room. He looked her over before they came in. ”So how come today of all days you're dressed to go ride the go-karts?”
”Because I thought I was coming in as the set decorator,” Larissa rejoined, opening the doors. ”This is what painters wear.”