“I think I have to,” I said. “She already set the whole thing up.”
“I would freak out,” she said.
“Your band performs in front of hundreds of people,” Abe pointed out.
She reached up and rubbed his shoulders as he drove. “Yes, but this is different. This is so much more intimate. When I’m onstage, I can pretend it’s just me and the music. You know?”
“Right on, man,” Abe said, making the rock and roll sign with his hand.
“Shut up,” she said. “Lottie, you’re braver than I am.”
I didn’t think I was very brave. I wanted to teach elementary school kids, not college students. I wanted to teach one plus one is two. I wanted to read early chapter books and have kids dress up as their favorite historical figures. I’d never been interested in teaching at a higher level—it had always been about younger students, still so wide-eyed and receptive to new ideas. That was what drew me to elementary school: the chance to really make a difference in a younger student’s life. I had no idea what I could possibly say to a group of college students that wouldn’t make them do anything other than fall asleep.
I checked Aunt Helen’s computer that night. Her last class was scheduled for Friday, just five days away. Okay. I could make a lesson plan in five days, right? Wait... I didn’t even know what they were studying. Fiction? Short stories? Classic literature?
Then I remembered Sam. He had taken my aunt’s class; he would at least know the basics. I sent him a message before I went to bed.
Have to teach my aunt’s class on Friday. Absolutely terrified. Do you think you could help me?
I brushed my teeth and washed my face while I waitedfor his reply. It came just as I was falling asleep, bringing me gently back to consciousness.
Of course. I think I have an idea. What time is the class?
Four. I get out of school at noon.
The university was close to Mystic; Sam could probably even ride his bike.
Let’s meet outside the library at one? Do you need more time to get here?
One works. I really appreciate it.
I wanted to see you again anyway, so this works out for both of us.
I put my phone on silent and set my alarm for tomorrow. This was going to be the longest five days in history.
I wasn’t wrong. Every hour dragged on painfully, each one holding its own eternity. Teachers were trying to squeeze in as much last-minute learning as possible, but all except a few of the most diligent seniors had tuned out, creating a stark contrast of priorities. On Friday, Em was sent out of history for drawing a picture of a bunny in the margins of her textbook. I found her sitting against my locker, having finished the bunny drawing and now adding little ducklings to go with it.
“Did you make it to the principal?” I asked her, putting my things away and grabbing my car keys from the metal hook inside my locker.
“She didn’t actually say to go to the office, though,” Em said, not looking up. “She just said to remove myself from her classroom. This seemed like as good a place as any to remove myself to.”
“Excellent reasoning. I’ll see you this weekend?”
“Is today the day?” she asked, springing to her feet and following me through the halls to the parking lot. Abe and I had taken separate cars so I could leave for the university right from school.
“Today is the day,” I confirmed.
“Are you nervous?”
“Yeah? Maybe? A little?”
“Are you nervous to see Sam?”
“Not really. He’s just helping me figure out what I’m going to talk about.”
“Oh, sure. Totally,” Em said.
“Didn’t I ask you to let it go?”
