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“What’s going on?” I furrow my brow at myself in the mirror.
“Mrs. Porter, the teacher of the third-grade class, isn’t going to be with us this next school year, and we are trying to fill the spot. You were an assistant teacher last year, but we looked over your references and feedback and think that you might be a good fit to take over for Mrs. Porter’s class. I need to get someone lined up before we all meet for in-service training.”
I open my mouth and then shut it. As I open it again, I realize I look like a gaping fish. If you had told me yesterday that I would get this call, I wouldn’t have believed you. Most teachers at Sunnyville Private School spend three years being assistants before they take over their own classroom. The spots are coveted, and there isn’t much turnover. I want to ask what happened with Mrs. Porter, but I don’t want to overstep my bounds.
“Hello? Miss Whitman?”
“Yes, I’m still here. I would be honored to take over her classroom. Is this a permanent position or just for the year?”
“We are offering it to you as a permanent position, but if you would like it to be on a yearly basis, we can look at your goals for next year once this school year is over.”
“No, I want it. I just wanted to make sure.”
“Excellent,” she says. I can hear the smile in her voice, and she can no doubt hear my excitement as well. “Would you come by the school the first of next week to sign some paperwork?”
“Of course. Would Monday work?”
“That would be great. See you then.”
“Thank you,” I say before hanging up and letting out a squeal. I ball my hands into fists and do some weird little shaking motions as I throw my head around.
I can’t believe that I just got my dream job at the same time that I’m going to clean out my stuff from the house of the man I love. I try not to think about it; otherwise, I might break out in tears, and that would ruin all the makeup I painstakingly applied before leaving.
I pull out of the driveway, a huge smile on my face as I think about the phone call I just had, and make my way to pick up my things.
“Alice!” Ivy screams, holding Waffle on a leash and running down the sidewalk as I climb out of my car.
I see Jill jogging behind her, laughing at her antics. Ivy wraps her arms around my waist, hugging me before I have a chance to move.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I say, patting her back and trying to hug her but it’s an awkward position.
“I missed you,” she says, tilting her head back to look up at me.
Waffle paws at my leg, and I bend to scratch his head.
“I missed you,” I tell her sincerely. “What are you all doing?”
“Taking Waffle for a walk. Nana said he needs lots of exercise, just like me,” Ivy says.
“Nana is right. Mind if I join you?” I don’t really want to go inside right now, and I’m still trying to figure out if Simon is home. I don’t see his car, but that doesn’t mean it’s not parked inside the closed garage.
“Come on. We are going around the block.” Ivy grabs my hand and turns me in the direction they were going right as Jill catches up with us.
We exchange hellos, and then she says she’s heading back to the house since I’m here to walk with them. I breathe in deep, relishing the fresh air even if it is a bit muggy outside today. I look around, trying to commit the area to memory. I have had a great time, being here and getting to know this little girl, who is currently clinging to me. It’s breaking my heart to say good-bye to her.
“Daddy said you are leaving,” she says suddenly, and I look down at her. “Are you?”
I stop and bend down to look her in the eyes. I grab both of her hands while Waffle pulls on his leash, wanting to continue on the walk.
“Yes, I’m going back to my home.”
“You don’t want to stay with me anymore?” she asks.
Her bottom lip quivers, and my throat tightens with emotion.
“Of course I do. But it’s not something that’s up to one person. Spending time here with you has been amazing, and I’ll always be here for you, for anything you need.”
“I thought you were going to be my mommy,” she says.
