It’sbeenthreedays.I still can’t believe I signed up for the Holidates app. And not just that, but I found a date.
God, I hope he’s cute!
It doesn’t really matter, it’s all pretend anyway, just to appease Gram and the aunts. Sometimes I wonder what Mom would think. If she’d be encouraging them or giving them a hard time. Sadly, I’ll never know.
“I just…I still don’t know what I was thinking. He’s astrangerI’m inviting into my Gram’s house to meet my entire family. And I do mean myentirefamily. You know Gram has everybody over.” I’m cleaning after the end of the last school day before break with Jennifer, my assistant teacher. We’ve been working together for five years, and I wouldn’t be able to do this very trying job without her.
We’re not a daycare, we’re a full preschool, so all of the kids here are three through five and we teach them throughout the day. We do early reading, math, science, and social studies, at their age level, of course. A lot of activities are done through art, play, or stories, but the kids often leave our class knowing how to read at a basic level. It’s something I’m very proud of.
“But that’s, like, what it’s for, isn’t it?” Even though she was truly surprised to hear I’d signed up for a dating app, she doesn’t seem to understandmyshock at the situation.
“It is, but it’s just…it’sme. Lincoln seems nice, we chatted a tiny bit, but it’s just so out of character for me.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing, though. Going out of character a little bit.” The thought takes me back.
“Is there something wrong with me that I should go out of character?”
“No, of course not. You know I love you. But clearly, something isn’t working in your dating life, right? So shake it up. Try something different, out of the box.”
“This feelswayout of the box.” Way, way, way out of the box. I mean, I haven’t even tried going out for a drink or talking to the cute guy at the coffee shop. For all I know, it’s Lincoln, since he brought that up as a meeting place. Three Sticks is my go-to. Maybe that’s the same place he frequents.
“It’s not really. Most people meet on dating apps or sites these days. Gone are the days of hooking up in a bar bathroom.” With a heavy sigh, she looks off into the distance like she’s having a memory.
“Is that how you met David?”
A coy smile spans her face. “Maybe.”
I roll my eyes as I giggle lightly. While the whole idea sounds kind of nice, it’s also intimidating. I can’t even remember how I met the last guy I dated. I’m pretty sure it was a set-up. But this app thing makes anxiety swirl through my extremities.
There are so many unknowns.
But I have little to no choice.
“Well, after the break, you’ll have to tell me all about it. And definitely try to snap a picture. I have to know what this guy looks like.” She finishes wiping down the table and tosses the cloth into the garbage bin.
“It would be nice to know, wouldn’t it?” It’s plagued my mind. In fact, Lincoln has spent far more time in my thoughts than he probably should.
“I can’t believe you chose a guy with basically no picture.”
“The mystery is kind of fun. Will he be cute, or not so much? I don’t know, the suit won me over. And he looks fit from the little you can see.” Trying to make the best of it seems like the only way to go.
“Either way, I want to know more. Okay. We done here?” The school is closing for the holiday vacation, and we have over a week with no work and no kids. It’s going to be a nice break. I love my kiddos, but they are exhausting.
I give a quick glance around the room, which is starting to sting my nose and eyes as the chemical stench assaults my senses. “Yeah, looks good. All the toys are clean?”
“Mhm. And the tables. And the sink area. Really everything has been done except the floors, which Tony is doing once we all leave. And I think the cleaning crew is coming in to deep clean while we’re out too. And they’ll do the laundry.”
We don’t have much in the way of laundry, but there are some borrowed blankets or things left behind that we wash once a month. All the kids were sent home with their own blankets today to hopefully wash over the break.
Germs and sickness run rampant through tiny bodies and classes like these. Based on state guidelines, it’s a small class of sixteen.
“Alright then. Have a great break and send me a text as soon as you can so I have some information about this unknown suitor.”
“Will do. Thanks, Jenn. Happy Holidays.”
“You too, Val.”
We leave together, the cold whipping through my coat, making me shiver before I get into my icy car. Cranking the heat, I pull away from one of my favorite places. I really do love my job.
