"You're spoiling me."
"That's the plan."
I drop my bag on the couch and kick off my shoes.Then I cross to the kitchen and wrap my arms around him from behind.He's stirring the sauce, and I press my face between his shoulder blades.
"Long day?"he asks.
"Yeah."
"Tell me about it."
So I do.I tell him about Brayden asking when recess was every five minutes.About the fractions disaster.About the discussion in my night class on classroom management.
He listens without interrupting.Just stands there stirring sauce and letting me talk.
When I'm done, he turns and pulls me into his arms.
"You're doing great," he says.
"I'm tired."
"That's because you're working hard.But you're going to be an amazing teacher.Those kids are lucky to have you."
"I'm just a sub."
"For now.But in two semesters, you'll have your own classroom.And you're going to change lives."
I want to argue.Want to tell him he's being too optimistic.But the way he's looking at me, like he believes every word, makes it hard to doubt.
"Thank you," I say.
"For what?"
"For believing in me.For pushing me to go back to school.For making sure I eat and sleep and take care of myself."
"You're welcome.But you'd do the same for me."
"I would."
He kisses the top of my head."Go shower.Dinner will be ready in fifteen."
I head to the bathroom and strip off my clothes.The hot water feels like heaven on my sore muscles.I stand under the spray and let the day wash away.
When I get out, Timothy has dinner on the table.Spaghetti and meatballs.Garlic bread.Salad.It looks like something out of a restaurant.
"You missed your calling," I say, sitting down."You should've been a chef."
"I like my current job."
"Chasing down bad guys?"
"Keeping people safe."
His security consulting business is doing well.He has three employees now and more clients than he can handle.He's even started teaching self-defense classes at the local community center.
He loves it.And I love seeing him happy.
We eat and talk about our days.He tells me about a new client.I tell him about the house on Maple Street and how I'm secretly hoping we can afford it.
