"Ten more minutes," I say."If you finish your worksheet."
Groans echo through the classroom, but they bend back over their papers.I walk between the desks, checking their work, offering help where needed.
This is my third week as a substitute teacher at Riverside Elementary.It's not the same as having my own classroom, but it's a start.I'm taking night classes to finish my teaching certificate.Two more semesters and I'll be done.
The door opens, and Mrs.Kim, the school secretary, pokes her head in."Miss Alexander?You have a visitor."
I look up and see Timothy standing in the hallway, holding a paper bag from the deli down the street.He's wearing jeans and a navy blue button-down, and the sight of him still makes my pulse kick up.
"I'll be right back," I tell the class."Keep working."
I step into the hallway and close the door behind me.
"What are you doing here?"I ask.
"Lunch."He holds up the bag."Thought you might be hungry."
"I have lunch in twenty minutes."
"I checked the schedule."He grins."Figured we could eat in your car."
I should probably tell him to go away.That surprising me at work is unprofessional.But I'm grinning back at him anyway.
"Give me twenty minutes."
"I'll be in the parking lot."
He leans in and kisses me.Just a quick press of lips, nothing inappropriate for an elementary school hallway.But it still sends heat through me.
When the bell rings, I dismiss the kids and grab my purse.Timothy is waiting by my new Honda Civic, leaning against the hood.We totaled the old one.Insurance paid for most of it, and I covered the rest with money I'd saved.
"Hey," I say.
"Hey yourself."He opens the passenger door for me, and I slide in.
We eat in the car, sandwiches and chips spread out between us.It's a routine we've fallen into over the past few months.When Timothy has time, he brings me lunch.When he doesn't, I eat in the teacher's lounge with the other subs.
"How's the class?"he asks.
"Good.Energetic.One kid told me my hair looks like a horse's tail."
Timothy snorts."Did you thank him?"
"I told him horses have very nice tails."
"That's diplomatic."
"I'm learning."
We eat in silence for a moment, and I watch a group of kids playing on the swings.They're laughing, carefree, and I remember being that age.Before everything got complicated.
"You still want to go look at that house tomorrow?"Timothy asks.
"The one on Maple Street?"
"Yeah."
"Yes.Definitely."
