Jessie expected to see Emily coming out of the house, but it was Faith... No, wait. She looked closer. It was Hope who walked toward her. This petite woman, who looked so much like Faith, was the high school principal, and she took her job seriously. Though she smiled plenty, she’d mastered the stern expression. Her features today were somewhere in the middle.
“Hi, Jessie. I’m sorry for stopping by without calling first.” Hope extended her hand.
Confused about why Hope was here, Jessie shook her hand.
“How are you doing?” Hope sat on the suspended swing, her short legs dangling.
“I’m doing good.” Still wondering why Hope was here, Jessie leaned back against the railing. She visited with Robert’s aunt last weekend at the Labor Day barbecue, so Jessie couldn’t fathom why Hope felt the need to come visit her today.
“I’m going to cut to the chase because I can see you’re confused why I’m here. Mr. White had a heart attack yesterday afternoon.”
Jessie pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh, no. Is he going to be okay?”
He’d looked a little stooped when she saw him in the ceramics’ lab last week, but he’d still been larger than life.
“He’s having double bypass surgery tomorrow. The doctors seem confident he’ll be back on his feet in no time, but he’s decided to retire, effective immediately.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that. He was such an amazing teacher.” The knife in Jessie’s chest twisted. Mr. White had always been her favorite teacher, probably because she’d always sensed that he loved teaching and he made the students feel like they really mattered.
“His wife retired last year from the post office, so they’re determined to do some traveling once he’s back on his feet.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“So, I suppose you can guess why I’m here.”
Jessie shook her head.
“We need an art teacher.” Hope tipped her head toward Jessie and gave her a pointed look.
“What?” Jessie dropped onto the swing.Hope couldn’t be serious.“You want me to teach art at the high school?”
“I can’t think of anyone more qualified.”
“But I’m not a teacher. I’m only an artist.”
“Only an artist,” Hope scoffed. “You studied art all over Europe, and you worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Talent like yours needs to be shared.”
Jessie agreed, but she wanted to do that through her art, not by teaching.
Hope continued, “Besides, you have something most teachers who’ve gone to school to get a teaching degree don’t have.”
“What’s that?”
“Passion.” Hope smiled. “You know art, you love it, you’ve lived it and breathed it.”
Jessie’s chest swelled a little more with each of Hope’s statements. She loved art, and there had been a time in her life when she’d lived for her art. She’d breathed art in the oldest cathedrals and coliseums in the world. Images of all the amazing things she’d experienced filled her mind, and she itched to share them with others.
“But I know nothing about teaching.” Jessie stood up and paced.
“You can learn. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think you’d make a fantastic teacher. But I guess you’ll never know what an amazing teacher you’ll be unless you try.”
Jessie really hated that phrase: “You’ll never know until you try.”
It means leaving my comfort zone.But she wasn’t exactly comfortable with her current situation. She needed a job.
“You already have a bachelor’s degree,” Hope said. “It wouldn’t take much for you to get certified as a teacher. I think you can even take most of the classes online. Initially, we’d hire you as a long-term substitute, then once you’re certified, you’ll have a permanent position at Providence High School.”
Jessie liked the sound of a permanent position, but it didn’t still convince her she’d make a good teacher. “Can’t you just get a long-term substitute until you hire an actual teacher?”
