“That was years ago. I’m sure that’s changed. He’s probably married by now.”
“According to his social media presence, he’s not. Now I’m not saying he’s still in love with me, but I don’t know, it just kind of weirds me out, but at the same time I get butterflies when his name pops up.”
She stops short and pulls me to an abrupt halt. “You arenottelling me that you still have feelings for this guy, are you?”
“Oh my God, not even a little. Trust me Trent was very much in the forefront of my mind through my whole relationship with David. Something I thought David was aware of. But it didn’t seem to matter. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain. It’s almost like how you can be in a happy relationship, but you feel good when somebody else flirts with you. It makes you feel like you still got it. And I think that’s what the David stuff is about.” At least, I hope. I know for sure there are zero residual feelings left for David, barely even friendship considering how long it’s been. But I can’t explain the flutter I get in my chest when I see a response from him.
By the third store I’m literally dragging my feet. “We’ve found nothing. This is a hopeless endeavor.”
“We’re not done yet. I saved the best store for last.” She pulls me through the store and to the dress section. But I perk up a little as the options are definitely more along the lines of what I’d wear.
We both pull armfuls of choices which gives me a little hope.
It’s the fifth outfit I try on. A teal sundress that hits just above my knee. It’s tight in the bodice before flaring out, which can sometimes make me look pregnant, but instead is quite flattering the way it hugs to my hips.
Walking out of the fitting room, there’s a smile on my face.
“Ooh. I like this one. And I can tell you do too.” Becca hops out of her seat and comes over to me to assess the dress. She walks completely around me before putting her hands on my shoulders and nodding. “Yup. This is the one. You look great. You said the colors are red and gold, right? You have those knee-high red leather boots you can wear that would look amazing.”
Of course, she’s right. The boots are just the right shade of red to match perfectly with the dress. Sometimes wearing a shade of red and green makes me feel too Christmasy, but the red is deep and the teal leans more toward blue than green.
“Okay. You were right. I finally found something I can wear to this damn thing.” Instead of sticking around to hear her gloat, I depart for the dressing room to change back into my clothes. There’s no need for me to try on the other outfits because even if there is something slightly better, this one is good enough.
Relief pours over me as things are starting to fall into place. We have a sitter for the kids. I have an outfit, and Trent is excited. Now if only I could find my excitement buried deep inside me, we’d be all set.
Chapter 13
“Well,Leslie,youwereright as always, and the pizza fundraiser went gangbusters. We were able to earn a few hundred dollars, and the pizza place is thrilled with us. They asked if we can do it again next year.” Everybody claps for me while Deb stands to go over the information for this PTA meeting. Just a few weeks left of school but we’re still powering through.
My cheeks pinken, and my head tips forward a bit. I hate being the center of attention.
Before coming tonight, I sent three reminder emails for end of year gifts. As class mom it’s my responsibility to collect the funds from the parents and get something that the teachers enjoy. Over the years I’ve gotten to know them and their likes and dislikes.
For the most part it’s a collection of things, and usually gift cards. I’ve learned that teachers love gift cards because it means they can spend it on something they want and are likely to use if it’s to a location they like.
Charlie’s teacher is getting a hefty gift card to her favorite Italian restaurant as well as a planter with all the kids’ handprints on it. That’s something that I’m doing on the side after class each day. I keep the pot in a box in my trunk with paint and each day a few kids stop by to add their handprint. It’s something she can use at home or at the school.
The girls’ teachers are both Starbucks fanatics, so they’re getting gift cards for coffee and then I picked a beautiful mug for each of them. While it doesn’t seem like much, I’ve found in the older grades a lot of kids want to pick their own gift versus donating to the class one. I, of course, put all names on the card anyway. I’d never leave a student out, especially because I don’t know everybody’s financial situation.
This time of year is busy for finishing up the final tasks and helping the teachers get everything together.
Part of my job is helping the teachers with their end of year gift to the students. Most give a book that they’ve collected over the course of the year. It’s my job to get it ready and help put the generic “have a great summer love your teacher” stickers inside each cover.
It can be hard to prioritize time for each one, especially because there are end of year parties to organize as well. Having three kids in two different schools means it gets tricky.
But I’ve managed to find a way to navigate it. Thankfully Charlie’s gathering is on a weekend after school’s over and the teachers mainly set it up, I just attend and help spread the word.
The girls’ teachers are both very understanding and know that I’m working with both of them, so they work together to help me be able to handle both.
Forty plus books is a lot to label on top of gathering the other things needed for the end of the year.
Not to mention the kids are crazy. All the classes are twice as riled up. It’s something all the parents are talking about on email threads, social media, and the teachers are letting me know they’re extra tired based on the behaviors of the class.
That’s what happens when they know the end is near.
“Okay. We’re nearing the end folks. Of the meeting and the school year. Just a week and a half left and then we’ll be on summer vacation. Don’t forget we have the annual teacher appreciation brunch the Friday after the last day of school.” Deb’s voice comes back into focus from my racing thoughts.
This time of year has my brain running nonstop and my anxiety heightened. I bring it on myself surely, signing up for all of the things and being class mom and on the PTA, but it’s just one of those things that I have to do.
