“Well, obviously I forgot.” Grabbing a slice, I find my keys and wallet before stepping into my shoes. “Bye, girls. Be good for Gigi.”
The last thing I hear as I’m out the door is the argument I thought was over before dinner came. Chess versus dress-up.
My never-ending battle.
Chapter Three
HARPER
“Vermilion just adores you. You’re her favorite teacher. Even more than her art teacher.”
I smile back at the woman with auburn curls standing in front of me. It’s clear that Vermilion is a spitting image of her mother. “She’s a bright young girl.”
“She’s never wanted to learn before, and we have to pull her away from her homework every night now. And thankfully, her sister has stopped stealing her books.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Vermilion loves reading.”
“And I have you to thank for that.”
I shake the woman’s hand as she follows her husband over to Vermilion’s desk to see the work she’s done this year.
I always enjoy our fall parent night. It’s intimate, cozy. I smile as the parents loiter about, chatting familiarly with each other. With the night coming to an end, I start putting away the papers in each student’s desk for those that forgot to take them.
“Hey.” Rina comes into the room as Vermilion’s parents wave goodbye. “Dan just called and I have to pickup Laura from the sitter. She’s sick and he can’t leave his work dinner. Would you mind watching my class for any parents?”
“You know they aren’t my students though, right?”
Rina clasps her hands under her chin. “Please? There’s only ten minutes left. I doubt anyone will come.”
“Fine.” I wave her out of my room. “Go. I’ll keep an eye on both rooms.”
“You’re the best.” Rina hugs me before rushing out of the room. “I owe you!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Grabbing my lesson planner and my wheelie chair, I drag it to the doorway to sit and keep an eye on both rooms. Student artwork lines the hallway where the two second grade classrooms are. I love that our school is smaller so the classes aren’t packed with kids.
A few parents and teachers walk through the halls. I smile at them as they pass, but it’s mostly quiet. With the evening winding down, most have already come and gone.
It gives me the time to plan out my lessons without interruption. And without having to take them home to work on them.
Pounding footsteps sound from the hallway behind me.
“Am I too late? Did I miss it?”
That voice. It doesn’t matter that it’s out of breath and echoing around the room.
The notebook in my hand falls to the floor.
That voice.
His voice. The one that haunts my dreams. Well, nightmares more like it.
The one that told me he loved me more than life itself. Nothing would ever come between us. He promised.He lied.
Seven years have passed, and I am still unprepared. Mystomach swooshes and bile rises, and for a moment, I’m frozen.
I spin in my chair toward the voice because I don’t think my legs could hold my weight right about now.
