Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“Well, there’s nothing in the world wrong with that. She’s always welcome here.”
“And what about you? Have you given any thought to her suggestion?”
I haven’t discussed it much with Torin, but the concept has weighed heavily on my mind since Marta first introduced the idea. I continued teaching after Thomas was born, but when Tania arrived, it became nearly impossible for me to take care of the kids and the house when Torin was in the city. I needed to spend more time at home so I ended my career.
Now, with the kids being a little older and Marta retiring so she can help out with them, she’s suggested that I take her place as principal. I’ve been stewing on the idea ever since. With Torin’s income and real estate equity, we don’t need the money. I didn’t need to go back to school after Thomas was born. I just didn’t want to leave my kids in the middle of the school year.
“What do you think, Daddy?” I ask him.
“You know you don’t have to work, but I’m not going to try to talk you out of something you want to do. The school board seems game to have you as the new principal so it’s really up to you, baby. You do whatever it is that’s going to make you happy.”
“Well, that wasn’t very helpful.” I laugh.
He takes me in his arms. “I’ll tell you what. If you want me to make this decision for you, just tell me which way you’re leaning and I’ll put my foot down.”
“That’s not necessary. We have the whole summer to make this decision, anyway.”
We load the children into the SUV and head out for the banquet hall. Marta is more than just my mother-in-law. She was my first and only friend when I moved to town.
Lost and saddened by my parents’ disappointment in me, she lifted me and made me feel like being a teacher didn’t make me a failure. That was just my parents’ warped idea of how things should be. She made me feel proud of myself and the choices that I’d made.
If it wasn’t for her, I would have never met the man of my dreams and had this beautiful family with him. I’ll do anything for Marta, and I’m so happy that the town is taking the time to honor her for her contribution to the education of so many generations of children here.
“What are you smiling about, baby?” Torin asks, seeing me lost in my own head somewhere.
“I was thinking about your mother. I’m so happy to have her in my life.”
“She feels the same way about you.”
We arrive at the hall and unload the children. “Remember what I told you. This is Nana Marta’s special day so you need to behave.”
“We will momma, we will papa,” they say and scurry off to play with some children from Thomas’ kindergarten class.
Marta is stationed at the end of a long banquet table, greeting all of the guests as they arrive, and her face lights up when she sees us.
“Happy retirement, Mama,” Torin teases and kisses Marta on the cheek.
“If you loved your Mama, you’d go get me a drink from the bar. I feel like I’ve been standing here for days.”
“That’s because you’re very popular.” He grins and heads off to retrieve that drink for her.
“So, Tess, have you made a decision yet?” Marta asks me.
“I have not, but I think I am getting closer. What would you do if you were me?”
“That’s not a fair question. I don’t want to sway you either way.”
“But you did it, right? You had Torin and you became principal.”
“I had to. There was no choice to be made. As a single mother, I needed to make as much money as possible. You don’t have the same worries that I did.”
“So, if you didn’t need the money, you wouldn’t have taken the job?”
“No, that’s not what I mean. This job has been incredibly fulfilling for me. I’m just saying that I didn’t have a choice but to take it. It was a good thing for me but not a choice.”
“Well, you’ve been just as helpful as Torin.” I shrug.
“You’ll decide when the time is right. The right choice will just come to you.”
Once all of the guests have arrived, Marta takes a seat at the table of honor. Torin, the kids, and I join her, but as soon as the band begins playing, Tania and Tatia grab Torin’s hands and pull him off to dance with them.
Torin picks up one girl with each arm and sways to the music. It’s the sweetest thing, the girls are over the moon.
“He’s a good dad,” Marta says.
“He’s the best dad.”
They return to the table just in time for Marta to be called to the dance floor where she’s presented with the key to the city and a plaque commemorating her long and successful career. When she comes back, Torin says, “I have something for you too, Mama.”