I pull up the notes app, and my thumb hovers over what to type. Before I can get the chance to start my list, my phone buzzes again, only this time it’s from Simon.
Simon
How’s it going?
Greer
The whole five minutes we’ve been here?
The text bubbles pending his response appear. When a message doesn’t come through, I lean back and send another.
Greer
It’s good. He’s still in one piece. I sort of wish they had this for me as a kid.
Simon
Good. See you at home.
No response to my casual conversation? Makes sense, considering I’m only here so that he can get more work done. If he wanted to chat, he’d be here instead of me.
Grey waves at me through the glass, and I wave back.
Simon said he wanted to be a successful dad. I don’t spend a lot of time with him or Grey, not yet anyway, but I can already tell that he is.
Maybe I can find a way to show him that while I’m helping.
I pull the notes app back up and stare at the blank screen. I could just start the list with the typicalkind, thoughtful, likes conversationgooey stuff, but heck, past that, I don’t know what to list. I just want someone who wants what I want.
Is it because I have this need to have everything my mom didn’t have while I was growing up? I think she was happy, but I always wondered, if she had someone to share her life with romantically after my dad died, would she have been happier?
Do I think it’ll make me happier?
I spend the next hour flipping back and forth from my planner to my list, and before I know it, the door to Grey’s class opens and one by one, the kids exit and meet their parents. Grey is the last one, and he’s walking out with his instructor.
“Greer!” Grey beams. “This is Mr. Remy.”
His smile spreads wide as he stretches a hand to me, his eyes practically glowing when they land on mine.
“Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You can call me Calvin. Grey talked about you nonstop all through class.”
“What? She’s really cool.”
“I take that as a sign he only said good things.”
Calvin nods. “Very kind things.”
I ruffle Grey’s hair. “Now I’m curious.”
“I’m going to go get my other shoes. I’ll be back.” Grey runs off, leaving Calvin and me alone.
“He’s a great kid. He has a lot of spirit, and he learns quickly.”
“Yes, he’s almost too smart and wise for his age, but don’t tell him I said that.”
Calvin laughs, and it’s a deep laugh that makes my smile grow bigger.
Grey is back in a flash, clearly ready to head out as he starts for the exit.
