Practice Makes Murder

On her way back to her own classroom, Livvy slipped into the teachers’ workroom to check her mail. She figured she’d find nothing but the daily bulletin, which contained the same old information, and a lot of junk mail from book publishers, but the principal required teachers to check their mail daily. Occasionally, the bulletin announced a required teachers’ meeting after school or perhaps a list of students who would be excused the following day for a field trip or a sports event. Just as the bell rang to signal students to leave the cafeteria and proceed to their fourth-hour class, she reached into her mailbox, a receptacle mounted on the wall with all the others. She quickly pilfered through the stack, separating the so-called important mail. She tossed the junk into a nearby trashcan. Then she spotted a hand-written letter. There was no return address, but she instantly recognized the handwriting. It was that of Richard Carlson. With shaky hands, she opened the envelope. Why would he send her a letter at school? He knew the address of her apartment, and she saw him nearly everyday where their cars were parked. Her heart pounded hard against her rib cage as she began to read: Olivia, you bitch, you led me on making me think you cared for me, and I fell for it. After all I’ve done for you, you turned on me--just dumped me like I was no more than a piece of last-week’s garbage. You think you’re so hot! What makes you think you’re smarter or better looking or better than me? Is it just because you’re a teacher? You didn’t care how I felt when you spitefully told me that you were finished with me--that you didn’t want to have anymore to do with me. You even laughed and acted like you enjoyed it when I begged you. I trusted you. I was good to you, but, no, that wasn’t enough for you, you spiteful bitch. You couldn’t stand my touch. Do you think I’m too inadequate to meet your needs--not sexy enough, huh? Well, I got news for you. Believe me, I’ll get even with you one way or another. Nobody, I mean nobody, treats me like I’m a piece of crap and gets away with it. Now you think long and hard on that. You know where I am, and I know where you are. I’ll be out there watching your every seductive move. Got that?!!!