“Which other camps are you signed up for?”asked Simon.
“Mom has a list,” said Riley.“Which one is after that?”
“Pottery.”
“We’ll see you then,” said Simon.“That’s the one I’m teaching this summer.”
“You teach pottery?”
“I do,” said Simon.“I’ve been hand-building and throwing pots since I was a teenager.”
“What got you into that?It seems an unlikely hobby for a teenaged boy.”
“A girl, of course,” said Simon.
“Mom?”asked Sally.
He shook his head.“No, I met your mother when I was in college.This was during high school, and when Maggie May Smith signed up, I decided to join her.She didn’t stay in the class—broke her wrist in week three—but I decided to continue.”
“You enjoyed it that much?”asked Sarah.“I’ve never tried it.”
“I enjoyed it, especially throwing pots, but I have to admit being the only boy in a class full of young women who didn’t mind me getting dirty… That was what most appealed to me at the time, I suppose.”
Sarah laughed.“I can understand that.My sister was a tomboy.Always coming home grimy.I think she would have enjoyed having an excuse like clay to turn to.“
“Speaking of, how is your sister?Has she had her twins yet?”
“She’s due in about two weeks.Mom wanted to get there early and settle in before everything kicks off.”
“When are you planning to go out and see her?”
“I’ll probably go for a weekend during my vacation.When Riley is visiting her father.We’ll see.We have that pair in there to worry about now.”
“If it’s only for a weekend, I can take the kitten,” said Simon quickly.
“Well, thank you.I’ll let you know once the twins come.Now, can I interest you in a coffee or tea?”
“If you have it,” he said, “I’d love a cup of decaf.”
“Riley, you two can clear the table and fill the dishwasher.I’ll serve the dessert and coffee.”She stood and moved her own dish to the counter.“Who wants ice cream?”
After the girls cleared the table and finished their ice cream and one of the chocolates, Simon and Sarah lingered over coffee.“I hope the little mishap with the vase didn’t make you regret your decision,” he said.
“Really, it was just a vase.”Every time she said it, the vase seemed to lose any power over her.“And when I look at how happy Riley is with the kitten, I don’t regret it at all.She’s even doing her chores without complaint, and I’ll milk that for as long as I can, believe me.”
He laughed.“It’s always good to have leverage.”
“So this summer you’re teaching pottery.What else are you planning to do with your holiday?”
“Besides break in a kitten?We’ll spend some time at the beach.Go for hikes.And I have a lot of reading to catch up on.”
“Sounds heavenly.I wish I had more than three weeks off a year.”
“It’s long hours during the year, though.And it gets harder every year.The classes are getting larger, and students often have complex challenges.Still, I love it and don’t regret my career choice.”
“And you have hours similar to your daughter most days,” she said.
“Sort of,” he said.“We’re in school for the same hours, but I always have several hours of prep and follow-up to do afterward.During the school year, I always send Sarah to an after-school program.Then I only have about an hour more work when we get home.”
