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As I pull into the parking lot of the grocery store, she says, “I’m not telling all my teachers. It’s just that Paige is kind of a friend now.”
“Did you tell her you don’t like math?”
She opens the car door. “Yeah, but she said she can get anyone to like math. I believe her.”
I breathe a sigh of relief as we push through the automatic door leading into the market. “That would be awesome. Sixth grade math almost killed me.”
Sammy laughs. “Don’t worry, Dad. I don’t think you’ll have to go to YouTube school to help me out anymore.” I spent all last year simultaneously thanking and cursing the internet gods for Mr. Numbers. Mathematically speaking, I’ve clearly forgotten more than I realized I’d ever been taught.
Steering the cart toward fresh produce, I ask, “Should we make a peach cobbler before peach season is over?”
“Do octopi have three hearts?” My daughter giggles, knowing full well I’m clueless on the topic.
“So, yes to cobbler?”
“Duh.” Sammy runs ahead and starts to fill a plastic bag with fruit. Meanwhile, I consult the grocery list on my phone and add more butter, brown sugar, and baking powder to it. Oh, and vanilla ice cream.
When I look up to see if Sammy has the peaches, I discover she’s deep in conversation with a petite blonde woman. I overhear her say, “You’re the best, Paige, thanks.” So that’s Paige.
“You’d better get a few extra,” I call out to Sammy as I join her. I smile at Paige before introducing myself. “Hi there, I’m Sammy’s dad, Jamie.”
Her mouth opens and closes several times before she says, “I’m Sammy’s new math teacher, Paige.” She puts her shopping basket over her arm so she can shake hands.
“Sammy was just telling me that you can get anyone to like math.”
She laughs charmingly. “I think it has more to do with the fun-size Twix bars I hand out when my students get an A or a B on a quiz. Kids will do anything for Twix.”
“I will, too.” I sound flirtatious, which is not my intent.
“So …” Paige pauses before asking, “Did you meet Melissa?”
“I did. She was very nice to offer Sammy a job.”
“Missy and I used to love hanging out at Bride’s Paradise when we were Sammy’s age. It’s probably why we both have our weddings planned down to a T.”
“I can see how that might happen,” I tell her before nudging my daughter. “We have a peach cobbler to make, so we’d best get moving.”
Paige turns toward Sammy. “I’ll bring over a math book to the shop tomorrow so we can get you started.”
My daughter’s face contorts into a grimace. “Don’t forget the candy bars.”
Paige pulls out her phone and starts to type. “I’m adding them to the list right now.”
As we walk away, I say, “You’re going to start math early? Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?”
Sammy giggles. “I know, right? I’m a whole new person in Elk Lake.” I love how enthusiastic she is. Day one in our new town has gone leaps and bounds above expectation.
After we’re done shopping and we’ve loaded our purchases into the car, I suggest, “Why don’t we call Dough Boy and order in? I’m too tired to think about cooking tonight.”
Sammy immediately pulls out her phone and places the call. She requests our regular spinach and garlic pie, but that doesn’t seem to be an option here in Elk Lake. So, she veers away from the norm. “We’ll take a large pie with sausage, black olives, and red onions.”
I shoot her a thumbs up to support her choice.
After she hangs up, she says, “There seem to be a lot of single ladies in Elk Lake, huh?”
“Who are you referring to?” I ask, like it’s not obvious.
“Melissa and Paige.”
