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“Please text me when you get there and give me updates with how you’re doing…please,” I say before wincing, trying not to sound overbearing.
“Yeah, yeah, you crazy mother-hen.” She smirks before getting in the car. I close her door after her and wave as she drives away.
I love you.
I can barely focus on my work all day. I had employee meetings in the morning and people had to ask me questions more than once because I was so distracted.
I work with an incredible team of people though, and they were all aware of the significance of today. They were understanding and patient.
At lunch, I texted David to see if he could check in on Mads really quickly. He wrote back that she looked great, smiling the whole time he watched her in her classroom. She ate her lunch with him and a few others in the teachers lounge.
My heart feels so light.
I leave work a little early so that I can beat her home. I pick up some of our favorite take-out and a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
I have the table set and glasses poured when she walks in the front door.
“Elliot?” She calls. I smile hearing her voice, especially her voice calling my name.
“In the kitchen!” I call back as I hear a thump which I assume is her setting her bags down and then fast footsteps getting closer and closer.She runs into the kitchen and towards me before throwing her arms around my neck. I laugh as I wrap my arms around her and pick her up off the ground, delighted by her good mood.
“It was amazing, Elliot,” She whispers into my neck. “It was just perfect. My kids were great, my lessons went great. I’m so happy.”
I smile into her hair. “I’m so glad to hear that, Mads. So glad.”
Her arms loosen and I immediately put her down gently.“What’s all this?” She asks with a smile and motions towards the set dining room table.
“Dinner. For a successful first day,” I reply as I put my hand on her back and guide her to her chair.
“How did you know it would be successful?” She asks, smirking.
“I had no doubts,” I answer honestly. She keeps looking at me suspiciously. “I…may have texted David to see how you were doing…but I promise, I knew you would be great anyway,” I admit sheepishly.
“Sneak.” She laughs as she picks up her glass of champagne. “Oh wow, you’re so fancy tonight. And flowers? Thank you!” She lightly touches the little blue flowers in the vase on the table. “Forget me nots,” She whispers. Something that almost looks like recognition flits across her face before she just smiles and looks back at me. “Thank you.”
“We’re celebrating you. For kicking ass, every day, but today especially,” I say as I raise my own glass and lift it to hers to clink.
She smiles before taking a sip and groans in approval. She doesn’t drink much. She has one wine that she likes to have occasionally. It is bright pink and sickly sweet, and I can barely stomach it. But she loves champagne for special occasions. I don’t drink at all, except for the occasional celebratory champagne. With the way alcoholism and addiction runs in my family, I never even want to open that door.
“Tell me everything,” I say as she starts to serve herself some food.
“Oh my God, I don’t even know where to start,” She sighs happily. “One of the girls, who was always so sweet while I was shadowing, Amy, brought me a chocolate bar.”
“That was very nice,” I smile.
“Yes! So that was a great start.” She takes a bite and chews thoughtfully. “In every period, they were just so responsive and they all participated.”
“I’m sure that makes all the difference,” I note and she nods in agreement.
“Yes. I don’t remember teaching this way, but when I would tutor; I remember how painful it was to teach the kids that just didn’t speak or respond at all. It’s the worst.”
“I can imagine,” I nod.
“What about you?” She asks and I look up at her. “How was your day?”
I smile. “It was good. A pretty uneventful, typical day.” She nods, waiting to hear more. “I may have been a little distracted in my meetings because I was worried about you, but it was still a productive day.”
She rolls her eyes playfully. She takes another sip of champagne and finishes her glass. She grabs the bottle and pours herself a little more. “Last glass. I don’t want to have a hangover headache tomorrow.”
