Page 52
By the end of the day, my feet ache, my white blouse has three paint marks on it and Zack looks unbearably smug about being right.
Most of the children gather their bags as I prepare them for dismissal.
I walk the class toward the designated pickup area, where several staff members are waiting to help match children with their families. Parents remain in their cars while the children are escorted through the line.
Annie is collected almost immediately, leaving Aspen standing beside me with Beachy poking out of her backpack.
“Who’s picking you up today, sweetie?” I ask her.
“My daddy,” Aspen answers. “Usually, Nana and Gramps get me because Daddy has to work.”
“Would your daddy mind if I said hello?” I ask. “I like to introduce myself to families when I can.”
Aspen shakes her head. “Daddy likes talking.”
“Does he?”
“Sometimes,” she replies seriously.
I laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
While we wait, Aspen tells me about her favorite books, the tree she likes climbing in her grandparents’ yard and why purple paint is better than every other color.
They’re fairly standard six-year-old interests, but I love watching her come out of her shell.
The quiet girl who hid behind Beachy this morning is now explaining that blue and red make purple with the confidence of someone sharing highly classified information.
Ten minutes after the final bell, only Aspen and one other child are still waiting.
Patty approaches from the office and smiles at us.
“I’ll take our last two inside,” she explains. “Their families can collect them from the front desk.”
“Thank you, Patty,” I reply.
“Miss Morgan!”
I turn at the sound of Walter’s voice. He’s walking toward us with a folder tucked beneath one arm.
“How was your first day?” he asks.
“Great,” I answer. “Nobody cried. Including me.”
Walter chuckles. “Then I’d call it a success.”
“Definitely.”
“I have your staff-meeting schedule and a few final forms in my office,” he explains. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you with everything this morning.”
“Of course.” I look down at Aspen. “Ms Smith is going to wait with you in the office until your daddy arrives, okay?”
Aspen nods.
“I’ll have to introduce myself to him another time,” I tell her.
“That’s okay.” She gives me a wide smile. “Bye, Miss Morgan. Thank you for being a nice new teacher.”
Ah, my heart.
