This is a good thing, I remind myself. This is the right choice for you and your family.
We just need to start with baby steps. And maybe schedule a call with Dr. Fung.
SEVENTEEN
Lina
I’ve never been soaroused watching a man work a room. Dom is all dorky swagger, shaking hands and clapping backs with parents and giving high fives to little kids, laughing and smiling ear to ear, radiating charisma from every pore of his body. He objectively cuts an imposing figure, with the tattoos and the all black everything clothes, but this, combined with all the eye contact and active listening, like he’s the mayor of Fort Greene and everything everyone is saying is the most important thing he’s ever heard in his entire life? It’s absolutely one hundred percent doing it for me.
I have to say, we make a great team. The PTO President and the Principal.
Yes. It is I, Lina Sanchez, PS 2 Principal.
It was a unanimous decision among all the city and district officials who were a part of my panel.
All I had to do was describe in detail, all the work I’ve completed as the functional principal of PS 2 ever since Oliver left the school. Because I did Thomas’s job when she was hired, and I did it after she was removed. Throughout that time, our school scores and ratings either remained stable or improved. They had no choice, really. It was a no brainer.
It was announced this morning, and here I am now, with Dominic, two PS 2 leaders welcoming theshitout of PS 2 families. We lock eyes across the crowded room (because obviously Dominic was able to get a huge turnout on just a week’s notice) and grin at one another.
At one point, I take note of the sheer amount of dads here. Not just Dom, but lots more. This strikes a chord that I am not prepared to confront right now, so I paste on a smile and continue my welcome’s and thank you’s.
After a couple of hours, I get a reprieve from hugs and congratulations from staff and families and hand shaking and welcoming and make my way to the bar to grab a glass of wine.
Georgia and Emmanuel wander over to me. Emmanuel begins a genuflection.
“Get the fuck up,” I hiss at him.
“All hail Queenie Leenie,” he says solemnly, his head bowed over his knee.
Georgia knees him in the side and gives me a hug. “Congratulations,” she tells me. “Although you’ve basically been our principal since Courtney Thomas came on. But congrats on the pay bump.”
“Proud of you, though,” Emmanuel says more genuinely. “You deserve that spot, and I think you’re my favorite boss I’ve ever had.”
“Agreed,” Georgia says. “I’ll never forget when you interviewed me. You immediately made me feel like a part of the PS 2 family.”
I think something gets in my eye.
A warm hand brushes against my lower back, squeezes my waist once, so quickly I might have imagined it. “Hey guys,” Dom says.
Georgia and Emmanuel look at the spot on my waist Dom’s hand just vacated. To be fair to Dom, he probably doesn’t know that elementary school teachers never miss afuckingthing.
Georgia only looks mildly surprised.
Emmanuel begins to exhibit signs of a stroke.
Dom hugs Georgia and reaches out to shake Emmanuel’s hand. “I’m Dom, Oliver’s cousin. We might have met at his housewarming.”
Emmanuel doesn’t shake hands. He outstretches his hand to be shaken, palm and fingers facing down towards the floor. He eyes him up and down.
“Emmanuel,” I warn.
“Dom’s also the PTO President,” Georgia adds on. “He organized this entire event.”
Emmanuel’s eyes scan Dom’s body.
“I feel like I’m undergoing some sort of trial right now,” Dom tells him warily.
“This is the ordeal part of the hero’s journey,” Emmanuel sniffs. “What is your occupation? When was the last time you went to the dentist? Do you do your own laun?—”
