“Why haven’t you answered the phone?” Isabella asked, with a level of excitement that made Geneva pause. She had been walking to her car when she noticed several missed calls.
“I was working,” Geneva said, adjusting the bag strap on her shoulders. Her Victoria Secret tote was stuffed with math papers and projects she had to grade. She had until Friday to input the semester grades and then it was vacation time.
“But schools get out at three.”
“The children leave at three. My day doesn’t end. Most of us teachers are here until six p.m. lesson planning and getting our rooms ready for the next day.”
“I know. I know. Now, don’t go launching into one of your the-teaching-profession-is-misunderstood speeches. I know how long and hard you work.”
“Exactly, but the rest of the world begrudges us the winter break and summer months. Most of the educators I know use that time to take classes. Teachers are the most educated group but the lowest paid.” She shook her head. “I’ll never be able to understand that. And don’t get me started on this Performance Pay thing.” Geneva unlocked the passenger door and placed the heavy bag on the seat. She flexed her shoulders.
“Trust me. I don’t plan to. Can you get off your soapbox so I can tell you why I called?”
Geneva leaned against her Camry. “What’s up?”
“Have you been on social media today?”
“No. I haven’t,” she said and closed the passenger door. She walked around and went inside her car.
“You have about twenty-seven thousand followers and tons of comments on your ad.”
“What?” The phone slipped, but Geneva caught it before it fell to the floor. She rested her cell phone in the cup holder and waited for her Bluetooth to kick in.
“You have over one thousand men who say their name is Joshua James. It’s all over the Internet. You’re a hit.”
“You’re kidding?” Geneva pulled up her post on her phone. Her heart raced. “Goodness. Everybody and their uncles are commenting.”
“I know. I can’t believe my friend’s an internet sensation.”
Geneva read some of the comments then put down her phone. “This is too much to process. It’s mindboggling.” She put her car in reverse and backed out. “I was looking for three Joshua’s, not three hundred.”
“You mean more like a thousand?” Isabella said. “Don’t worry, I’m coming over to help you sort this out.”
“Don’t you have a date with Mr. Bailiff tonight?” Geneva pulled out of the lot and made a right turn. She lived about two miles from the school. She had chosen her condo strictly because of location.
“Charles can wait. I’ll pick up some Zaxby’s and meet you at your house.”
“Get me the Wings and Things.”
“I’m getting you the salad. Did you see the bodies on some of those men? You don’t need to be eating fries.”
“Get me my fries. I’m not trying to find a replacement. Up until a few days ago, I was in a committed relationship with a wedding in two weeks.”
“Newsflash. That relationship ended months ago. You’re the only one who didn’t get that memo.”
“That’s a rotten thing to say. How can you be so heartless?” She couldn’t hold the chuckle.
“What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t preach the ugly truth? Anyhow, forget what’s-his-face. He’s rolling with the bottom feeders. I’ve been checking out these pictures, and I’ve found you about ten Joshua’s you can consider. These men I’ve chosen are more in your league. Not like he-who-can-lick-the-bottom-of-my-shoe.”
Geneva slapped the steering wheel. “Isabella, stop it. And we have to use the name. Have you forgotten that all these men have the same name?”
“I can say their name, not his.”
Geneva laughed. “I can’t with you. You’re a mess.”
“I love you, Genny. I’d rather make you laugh than hear you cry,” Isabella said in a somber tone. “I know I might appear like I’m making light of this, but I hate what J—that man—did to you. I hate that he humiliated my friend, who’s probably going to forgive him and not slash his tires or something. I’m sorry he put you through this.”
“I’m sorry, too. But my heart isn’t damaged by his betrayal.” She turned into her complex. “I knew something had changed between us. He had started skipping services at church, but I never imagined he would wait until I sank all that money into the wedding before calling it off.”
“God’s going to deal with him,” Isabella said. “And I can’t wait to see what kind of vengeance He’s got planned. Lice in his head. Ants in his pants. Boils on his face. You know nobody can fight dirty like God.”
Geneva shook her head, though Isabella couldn’t see her. “I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him even if he is a dork.”
“That’s your problem right there. You’re too softhearted. I’ve seen Josh take advantage of that time and time again.”
“He wasn’t taking advantage of me. You don’t understand. I decided a long time ago I wasn’t going to let anyone change the me God created. I like how He made me, and I want to leave the earth with this same mindset.”
“That’s deep.”
“Thank—”
“Don’t change who you are,” Isabella interrupted. “I’ll pray for revenge on your behalf.”