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Then Max leaned over, caught her eye, and whispered, “You’ve got this.”
Her heart settled. Her mind cleared.
She let her heart lead. “Marcus Perry was not just a colleague, he was my dear friend. Yes, it’s true, we were seeing each other. We’d gone to dinner that night. When we returned to my apartment, Marcus walked me to my door, like the true gentleman he was. I had no idea at the time, he’d turn out to be a hero, too. And just minutes later, he died trying to save my life. Because that was Marcus. Someone who was always there to help.” She looked at the Perry family, hoping they saw her grief and knew she wished it hadn’t turned out this way.
She wiped away the fresh tears, gathered herself, and went on. “I’m sorry we lost him. I hate that someone took him from us. I wish with my whole heart it never happened. I wish he was here with us right now.”
She paused to try to gather her thoughts. “The person who did this is still out there, but the police and FBI are working hard to bring him to justice. Marcus deserves that. And I will do whatever I can to make that happen. Unfortunately, that means I’m away from you for a while. I hope to return soon.
“But today, I get to celebrate Coach Marcus with all of you. He talked about core values. Dependability. Integrity. Trust. Respect. Being a good citizen, whether that was at school or in our community. Helping others. Raising them up. He did that for all of you. He lived it in his life. He showed me it in his last moments.”
She wiped away a tear. “God, I miss him. I know all of you do, too. So let’s honor him.” She wiped away a few more tears. “Let’s remember him and all he contributed to our lives.”
She found a smile to go with a happy memory. “He loved to make us laugh. Remember last year on Valentine’s Day, he dressed up as Cupid and went around at lunchtime dropping love bombs on everyone. He made sure every student got one, because he wanted everyone to know they were special.” They were really heart-shaped papers in different shades of pinks and reds that he’d printed out with affirmative messageslike: You’re special. You’re smart. You are enough. You are loved.
So many more she couldn’t remember right now.
By the looks on the kids’ faces, they remembered.
“He gave me one that simply said, You’re amazing. He made me feel that way. He tried to make all of you feel that way because he believed it about all of us.”
She touched her hand to her aching heart. “Who else has a story to tell about Coach Marcus?”
Drew, who taught biology and chemistry, came over and stood next to Patrice. Before he addressed the kids, he turned to the camera and looked at her, “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you.”
Drew turned back to the kids and started what turned out to be a couple dozen stories about Marcus from him and everyone else who wanted to share a memory or story about Marcus.
Kenna tried not to look at Max. The compassion in his eyes touched her. He wasn’t doing any work, but simply sitting behind the desk, his presence all the support she needed to get through this.
The last person finished speaking.
They watched the video montage. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Patrice nodded for Kenna to end the ceremony.
She sat up straighter. “I want to thank everyone who came up to share something about Marcus. He liked to end all our rallies with a falcon chant. Today, I want you all to join me in one for our beloved coach. It needsto be loud and proud and I want him to hear us.” She started them off. “Coach, coach, coach.” The voices and foot stomps in the stands grew to a deafening roar. One she was sure Marcus heard and felt, just like his family did in the gym.
She gave a last wave to the crowd, a nod to the principal, then closed her laptop even though the kids were still chanting.
Patrice would dismiss them to lunch with their spirits high.
Max reached across the desk, took her hand, and squeezed it. “You are amazing.”
It made her smile that Marcus had thought the same thing and was maybe, through Max, reminding her again. “Thank you. I don’t feel that way at the moment.”
“Doesn’t mean it isn’t true.”
“Except we both know I’m not.”
Max’s gaze narrowed. “Why would you say that?”
“Why would you call the woman who called you a liar and a cheat amazing?” All he did was remind her that her past self was a dumbass. And maybe her present self wasn’t much better, because she still hadn’t told him the truth.
“Kenna.”
“Do you realize that’s the first time you called me by my name?”
