Perpetually single HS? teacher in love, unrequited? with student. Read early to mid 2000s

[Zev]

I'm pretty sure this took place in America. Maybe somewhere in New England. I want to say it took place in the fifties, or it -felt- like the fifties for reasons I can't remember. The cover may have been gray with white font. I think this was a standalone, and I remember it being short.

Mr Logman (?) was enthusiastically greeted by a former student at a class reunion or picnic. The student was in her 30s by then, married with kids and absolutely thrilled to see her favorite teacher. I think she may have hugged him, and he was probably surprised. She (Laura?) introduced her teacher to her husband. Mr Logman's heart broke as he realized all he would ever be to her was a teacher. Laura had a crush on him as a student. She didn't know it was mutual.

Mr Logman was perpetually single despite trying to date in his own age range and social standing. Women didn't seem connected to him, for whatever reason. His mother was OVERBEARING and -so- mean. When he was a teenager, he excitedly brought home a girl for dinner. The date went great! he thought. His mother seemed interested. He excused himself to the bathroom and then walked his date to the street end, or home.
He was preparing to ask her for a second date when she said, "Your mother told me about your preference for men," and asked him not to call or see her again.
His overbearing mother had told that lie so that he would never get married, and she told him this when he asked what happened. Something about "you always have to be here with me."

I think the mom died later on, or was dying. Somehow she had less power over him as the book progressed.
He became a teacher and has been falling in love with female students ever since. He really wanted to be married and love someone. The entire story was sad and verged on bleak, and ended on a quietly disconcerting note.

I'll comment if I remember anything else.