Once I stepped out the door, I turned around.I could find an excuse to go back in, but that wouldn’t be smart.So instead, I headed to my car.
Tonight didn’t go as planned, but I had zero regrets.
Chapter :: Chapter Seven
Amy
“Alex, you do need to go back to your seat so you can finish your homework.”
I always had a break before and after lunch.The high school kids had other classes around that time, which was why I hopped over to the elementary building to help out.They typically did a bit of homework before lunch, and then the rest of it after.
Alex gave a big sigh.He melted my heart whenever he did that.“Okay.”
“Who’s ready with their homework and wants to read it out loud?”I asked.
Five little hands flew up in the air.I smiled and picked Ramona.
I loved these kids so much.Sometimes I regretted becoming a high school teacher and not an elementary one.But I’d ask the principal if there were ways for me to help out even after Francine came back from leave.
After the kids read their assignments, I said, “All right, you can all go to the lunchroom.”It was adjacent to the classroom, so they didn’t need chaperoning.I would just stand by the door, making sure they made their way over.
No surprise, Alex was the first to head out.
Back at my desk drawer, I took two lunches out and found my little girl.“Lisa, do you want to help me with lunch again today?”The lunches in the cafeteria weren’t expensive, but Lisa’s family couldn’t even afford that.
She sat up straighter in her chair, smiling from ear to ear.“Of course, Miss Amy.I’d love to!”Her smile was contagious as I handed her the lunch bag.
I loved doing this for her and her family.At the last parent-teacher conference, I met her mom, and she was totally fine with my helping out.
“This is just between us, okay?Your classmates don’t need to know that I give you a lunch, right?”
“Yes, Miss Amy.It’s our secret.What is it today?”
“A cheese sandwich, and for dessert, an apple crumble.”
Lisa’s eyes lit up as she said, “Oh, yum.You make the best apple crumble.”
