Page 31 of Sleigh My Heart

She didn’t know, but she learned long ago, always trust her gut.

***

Two minutes to spare. Michelle checked in at Ashwood Elementary School. Her feet pounded on the linoleum squares as she crossed the lunch area to the gymnasium.

Officer Kyle Jenkins leaned against the wall outside the gym door. What was he doing here? “Cutting it close, Swenson. Principal Hess will be announcing us any minute.”

“Us? To the whole school? I thought it was just one third-grade class.” Her sister would be getting an earful when this was over.

“I guess his teacher mentioned you were coming to the other faculty and next thing I know, Sammy’s teacher is calling me.”

“Was it last minute? Madi didn’t say a word when I talked to her last weekend.” Michelle referred to her friend and Jenkins’ girlfriend. Those two flirted on the edge of a relationship for years as neighbors and besties. It took something big for them to finally act on their deep connection. Michelle had to admit, she was a little jealous of their relationship. What girl didn’t want to fall in love with her best friend?

The door opened and one of the school secretaries stuck her head out. “You’re on.”

Nothing like going in cold. Hopefully, Jenkins had a plan. She followed him in and saw he had brought badge stickers and stranger danger pamphlets to hand out after. The sight of them calmed her nerves.

“Hi kids, I’m Officer Jenkins and this is Officer Swenson. Who’s excited to see Santa next week?”

The noise level ratcheted up to just under a rock concert level. Michelle picked up from his cue and the next thirty minutes went fast. By the time they were handing out stickers, the kids had all repeated the three main rules for stranger danger and were getting antsy.

Michelle turned back to the table to grab some more stickers, when a small voice right behind her said, “Hi.”

She almost jumped when she turned to see Nick’s blue eyes staring up at her. She handed her a sticker. “Hello.”

“You’re a friend of my daddy.” The girl didn’t move. She just watched her. So, like her father.

Michelle glanced around. Surely the girl’s teacher was looking for her. Nope. No one. Michelle awkwardly smiled down at the girl. Not sure what to say.

“Aunt Mickey!” Ethan’s voice broke the bubble she and this girl were in.

“Hey, Buddy. How’s my favorite nephew?” She scooped him up in a hug.

“You say that to all of us.” He scowled.

“And your point?” She set him back down.

He shrugged and turned to the girl still staring at her.

Really, where was her teacher? Finally, a bell rang. The teachers called for their students to line up.

“Thanks for coming to our school, Aunt Mickey. Ava and I have to get back to class.”

“Ava?”

The girl nodded.

“Are you named after your mommy?”

“No, her name was Molly. She died.” The girl shook her head. She followed Ethan’s tug on her arm and yelled over her shoulder, “Bye, Officer Swenson.”

Michelle stood stock still, blinked as the children all filed out of the gymnasium. She died.

“Earth to Swenson.” Jenkins waved a hand in front of her face.

“Huh, sorry. I was, uh, watching my nephew head back to class.”

“Uh huh.” He’s brows pulled down.