She poured our tea into bone china mugs. “Well then, you better come sit down,” she said.
The condo she shared with Zoe was a mix of cottagecore roses and global prints, stacks of books and hand-thrown pots, a clash of colors and styles that somehow still worked, like the couple themselves. A purple yoga mat was rolled up in a corner. A laptop lay open on the coffee table.
“Sorry for interrupting,” I said.
“You’re fine. I’m just reviewing some lesson plans before school starts.”
I winced. “I should probably be doing the same.”
“Why aren’t you?”
I managed not to sputter my tea. “Well. I was thinkingabout what you said. About how Ravenscrest isn’t a good fit for me.”
She sipped her tea and waited, knowing from experience that this was the best way to get me to talk.
“The thing is, they don’t really want me. I think they want to offer the job to my substitute,” I said. Hearing Joe’s voice in my head.Anybody can be replaced.“The principal actually boxed up my classroom library. I mean, he didn’t do it personally, but he’s censoring the materials I make available to my students, which goes against everything I believe in. If I go back, I’m saying I’m okay with that. And I’m not. At all.”
“Then don’t go back. Move forward.”
“Quit, you mean?”
“If that’s what you want.”
“I don’t know what I want anymore,” I confessed miserably. “That’s my problem.”
Beverly pursed her lips. “Sometimes moving on means you need to walk away.”
“But I feel like I’m abandoning my students.”
“It’s hard, I know. We’re used to prepping our students to leave us, to go out into the world. It’s not as easy when we’re the ones doing the leaving.” She regarded me over the edge of her mug. “You do know there’s a shortage of good teachers everywhere, especially since the pandemic. Michigan and Illinois have reciprocity. You qualify for a temporary teaching certificate. That would last you for a year, until you get a full-time license.”
My mind whirled. To be closer to my mother…to Daanis…to Joe. But I didn’t let myself think about Joe.Stay in the moment.
“I’d need to find a job,” I said, testing the prospect outloud. It sounded…good. I felt a ripple of excitement. “I could look at Paradise, maybe. Or Beaver Island? Any of the small schools.”
“These little districts have their own special challenges. Even on Mackinac. It’s hard to find someone willing to live here year-round. And because we’re short-staffed, we’re not only teaching multiple grades but juggling different roles, coaching or in the office. It’s a lot.” She leaned forward to select a piece of fudge. “If I didn’t feel I was leaving the school in the lurch, I would have retired a year ago. I promised Zoe this would be my last year.”
“I…Wow. I can’t imagine the school without you. I can’t imagine mylifewithout you. I wouldn’t be a teacher if it weren’t for you.”
“I’m retiring, Anne, not dying. Zoe and I have always wanted to travel. But with our different schedules, there’s never been a good time.”
“Do I hear my name?” Zoe blew in the front door. “Hello, darling.” She kissed Beverly. “And Annie!” She swooped in for a hug before turning back to her wife. “Did you tell her about the job?”
“We hadn’t gotten there yet.”
“What job?” I asked.
Beverly set her mug carefully beside her laptop. “I mentioned we were short-staffed…”
“The school is looking for a substitute teacher,” Zoe said. “For this academic year!”
Beverly cleared her throat. “It’s not a full-time position. It wouldn’t have to be permanent. But it could certainly be an opportunity for you while you consider your options.”
I had options! Which meant…I had no idea what itmeant. My brain exploded, my thoughts scattering like dandelion seeds in the wind.
I wasn’t the same person who had left the island, Joe said. But was I ready to come back?
I appealed to Beverly. “Do you think I should take it?”
