Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“I know, I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
“I know you do,” she says gently, moving her eyes past my shoulder briefly. “I wish more teachers cared as much as you do. I know what it’s like to see the potential in a child and want more for them. When I first started teaching, I had a student named Michel who was my favorite kid. He was good at everything but especially good in science, which was also my favorite subject to teach. I wanted him to get into a few different after-school science programs, but his family couldn’t afford for him to stay after school. He was the oldest and the one responsible for making sure his younger siblings made it home and had dinner. I hated that he had to make that sacrifice, but eventually I found a weekend science program for him to be a part of, so in the end everyone was happy.”
“That’s amazing.”
“No, what’s amazing is that he shared his love of science with his siblings and now they are all in college—and all of them are doing something in the field of science.” Sheesh. I pull in a breath and hold it to fight back the tears. “Keep doing what you’re doing, not only with Tamara but with all of your students.”
“I will.” I nod, picking up my bags and coat from the floor. “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome, and you know my door is always open.”
“I do,” I agree. When I was interviewing for teaching positions, Mrs. Thompson was the reason I wanted to work at PS 189. From the very moment I met her, I could tell she cared deeply about the students—she wasn’t jaded like some of the other principals I interviewed with. She didn’t just see her job as a job, she saw it as a way to make a difference in the world, which is the exact reason I wanted to be a teacher.
Shutting her office door, I say a quiet goodbye to Sammy as I pass her desk, seeing her nose buried in a folder she’s looking through.
“You, too, Fawn,” she mumbles back absently. Slipping on my coat, I button it up, then put on my hat and gloves before leaving the office, placing one earbud in so I can listen to my newest audiobook. Walking out of the school, I head up the block for the subway, where I fight for a place to stand on the train during the rush-hour commute. I don’t want to go home, but I still need to pick up Muffin so I can take her with me to my sisters’. My sisters think my apartment is being fumigated, which is why I need to stay with them. Yes, I lied to them, but there is no way in hell I could tell them the truth—that I’m hiding from Levi because like the idiot I am, I kissed him and made a fool out of myself.
As the train comes to a stop, I get off with the crowd, then make my way up the steps with everyone else to street level, where the air is at least twenty degrees cooler. Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I tuck my hands into my coat pockets and walk with my head down to ward off the cold that’s nipping my cheeks. I growl under my breath as I watch a single snowflake fall onto the sleeve of my coat and melt. I hate when it snows in New York. I hate trudging through the slush and ice on the way to work. I know a lot of people love snow, and I agree it’s pretty to look at when it first falls, but after a couple of days on New York City sidewalks, it’s a disgusting mess.
Reaching my block, I breathe a sigh of relief when I don’t see Levi—not that I thought he would be waiting for me, but with the way my luck has been going lately, I wouldn’t have been surprised if I ran into him. Yes, I know eventually I will have to face him, since moving is about as realistic an option as teaching abroad, but truthfully, I’m hoping if I avoid him long enough he’ll forget I even exist.
Punching in the code for the building, I swing the door open, close it behind me, then take the stairs as quietly and quickly as I can. I duck as I pass Levi’s door with my key out. As soon as I’m inside my apartment, I lock the door and head for my room with Muffin in tow.
“We need to pack, girl. We’re going to go stay with Mac and Libby for a couple days,” I explain as she presses her head under my hand, forcing me to pet her. Taking a seat on the side of the bed, I give her a rub, then grab both sides of her face. “I know you’re going to be mad at me, but I don’t think you’ll be seeing Levi much anymore.” Huffing, she falls to her bottom and tips her head to the side. “Sorry, girl, but it’s for the best,” I say, softly kissing the top of her head before I stand. Going to my closet, I pull down a bag, then shove a couple of outfits in it along with a pair of pajamas and my bathroom stuff. As soon as I’m packed, I grab Muffin’s leash from the closet, attach it to her collar, and head for the door, cursing myself stupid when I see Levi standing in the hall with his eyes on me. Why the hell didn’t I check the peephole? As much as I want to run back into my apartment and hide, I know I can’t, so I might as well just get this over with now. With a resonating sigh, I head in his direction.