by K. C. Crowne
“Alright, alright, we can go after school to get them.”
“Yes,” he said, followed by a fist pump. “Alright, I need to get going. Thanks, Carly!”
Daisy followed Adam to the front door, then let out a bark as he left. The day had barely begun, and I was already stressing. But there was nothing to do but do it. I finished getting ready, then grabbed my keys and purse to get moving. I fed Daisy on the way out, then threw on my coat.
The engine of my ’02 Accord grumbled to life, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I was going to have to put some major money into the thing. Every morning, as I slipped the keys into the ignition, I’d wonder if that would be the morning it’d give up the ghost.
Once I pulled out and was on my way to school, I allowed myself a moment to relax and sip my coffee.
I didn’t even have a chance to catch my breath when the last bell rang and my class of second graders hurried out the door. Mrs. Reynolds, the principal, slipped through the open crack of the door and put her hands on her hips, an impossible to read look on her face.
“Alright,” she said. “You ready for the results of your evaluation?”
“Let’s hear it.”
She leaned against the cubby where the kids stuck their bookbag and crossed her arms. Principal Reynolds could get serious when she had to, and this was one of those moments. My gut vacuum-shrank into the size of a pinprick. For a moment, I worried the next words out of her mouth would be “you’re fired.”
“You were awesome, of course,” she said, the seriousness switching to warmth. “Come on, did you really think I was going to say anything else?”
Relief washed over me like a tidal wave of the coolest, freshest water.
“You looked so serious!” I exclaimed. “I had no idea what to think!”
“You know, I think I need to work on that. Some people have resting b-word face; I’m starting to think I have resting principal face. My own kids are always thinking they’re in trouble when I just want to ask them how their day was.”
I laughed, the relief still running through me. “Well, good to hear. Honestly, I’ve been so busy with Adam and running the house that I was starting to worry my job performance was being affected.”
“Banish the thought. Carly, if I had a school full of teachers like you, I could conquer the world. Or, at least, get all my kids reading at the proper grade level. Come on.”
She waved toward the door and I grabbed my things, forming up at her side. We made our way down the halls of Bright Point Elementary, the kids all hurrying along eager to get out and on their way home. When we stepped outside onto the big brick stairs that led out to the bus loop, I felt good and puffed up.
“So,” Principal Reynolds said as we stood at the top of the stairs, the dozens and dozens of kids streaming into the busses, others rushing to their parents’ cars. “What’re your Valentine’s Day plans?”
“God, it’s almost here, isn’t it? Probably the same thing I do every year – get some cheap candy from Walgreens for the kids to snack on while they’re passing out their Valentines. I was thinking of doing a movie, but can you believe how hard it is to find Valentine’s Day movies? I mean, ones that are appropriate for second graders.” I sighed, it dawning on me that I was going to have to come up with holiday activities for the kids. “But I always manage to pull something out of my hat. Part and parcel of the job, you know?”
Principal Reynolds laughed. “No, Carly. I mean, what are you doing for Valentine’s Day? Like, what are you and your boyfriend doing?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but not a single word came out. I truly didn’t know what to say.
“My, my boyfriend?” I couldn’t help but laugh, catching myself by placing a hand over my mouth.
“Please don’t tell me that’s you laughing at the idea of you having a boyfriend.”
“Sorry,” I said. “It’s just that I’m so busy with work and my brother and my dog that I can barely get through an episode of Bridgerton let alone have time for a boyfriend.”
“Well, I hope I didn’t offend you by assuming. I only figured a beautiful woman like you, smart and hard-working, would be fighting off men.”
“A positive evaluation and an ego-flattering? Principal Reynolds, you’re too kind. But seriously, I’m not into Valentine’s Day. It’s a Hallmark thing, you know? Invented by ad guys in the fifties to sell cards.”
She arched her eyebrows and smiled. “Oh, you’re one of those.”
“Guilty as charged,” I said. “Maybe if all the stars align, I can hang out with my dog and watch some Netflix.”
“I know Valentine’s is silly. But it’s also pretty nice – just an excuse to spend some time with someone you care about.”
“Well, if I ever find one of those, maybe I’ll give it a shot.”
“Hey, Sean!” Reynolds went right into Principal mode, calling out one of the kids who was in the middle of running down the stairs, bumping into kids left and right. “Cut that out right now!”
He froze in place, his eyes wide.
“This is the third time he’s done that this week. I need to talk to him with his mom. Anyway, great job again, Carly. And keep in mind what I said about Valentine’s. You might surprise yourself.”
I only had enough time to wave goodbye before she was down among the kids, towering over them like a giant in a floral-printed dress. My phone buzzed in my purse right as Principal Reynolds went off to do her principal-ing.
A smile spread across my face when I saw it was a text from my best friend, Allie.
Clear your schedule tonight. I’ve got big plans.
I pursed my lips, my mind going to what I already had to do. First, I needed to pick Adam up from school. From there, I had to go to the mall to get him some new shoes. From there, I needed to get home, walk Daisy, then start dinner. And from there…
It was exhausting to even think about.
I don’t know. Lesson plans and shoe shopping and dinner…I’m pretty full-up for the night.
The response came seconds later.
That’s the best part – I’m taking care of dinner. I’m thinking me and you and Adam along with a couple of pizzas from Gio’s and a bottle of wine while we’re at it.
My mouth was watering just the mention of pizza and wine – the ultimate combination.
Alright, you talked me into it. Seven?
Seven. And don’t even think of paying. This is on me.
A wink-face emoji followed. My first instinct was to tell her that, yes, I was paying, and there was nothing she could do about it. But after a second of thought, I realized that the little bit of money I’d be saving from Allie treating me to dinner would take the sting out of how much I was about to spend on Adam’s shoes.
Alright, see you then. And…thanks.
The emoji with the red cheeks and tiny hands appeared, and I fired off a text to Adam letting him know I was on my way. I weaved through the crowds of kids, helping some of the teachers who were on bus duty. And as I made my way to my car, all I could think about was how much I wished things weren’t the way they were.
I loved teaching like crazy. That wasn’t the problem. And I loved my little brother, loved being there for him. Hell, I loved Daisy when she wasn’t being a pain in the butt.
What I didn’t like, however, was the struggle. I hated living paycheck to paycheck, hated not having enough time to spend with the ones I loved. But that was my life. Being an elementary school teacher was amazing, and one day I hoped to be an assistant principal or even a superintendent.
But my job barely paid the bills. Hell, I had to moonlight as a blog editor just to make ends meet. Maybe someday society would get its butt in gear and pay teachers decent wages, but for the time being I was in a bad way, always fearing the big disaster that would put Adam and me in the poor house.
I tried to look on the sunny side, however. I had a fun job, a roof over my head, great friends, and a kick-ass little brother. Life was good. Sure, my lov
e life was basically non-existent. But I had bigger things to worry about than sex and romance.
I picked Adam up and we were off to the mall. I spent a nervous hour at Foot Locker, going over the budget in my head as Adam flitted excitedly from pair to pair. He settled on some Nikes which were, thankfully, on sale.
Back at home, Adam sat down at the kitchen table to do some homework while I tidied up the house in preparation for Allie’s arrival. And through the cleaning, I could sense that there was something on Adam’s mind. He seemed distracted.
“Alright,” I said. “What’s the story?”
“Huh? What’re you talking about?”
“Bro, you’re good at a lot of things. But lying sure as heck isn’t one of them. Whenever you’re trying to keep something to yourself you might as well be wearing a huge, neon sign that says keeping a secret! Ask me what it is!”
A sheepish expression took hold. If there was any doubt that he was keeping something from me, that little look on his face dispelled it.
“Oh, Adam,” I said, sitting down across from him with my mug of chamomile. “You managed to get all the way to your senior year without getting in trouble. Why would you start now?”
He said nothing, glancing away.
“And you waited until you got your new shoes to let the beans spill.” I sighed. “Well, let’s hear it, what happened?”
“It’s…I don’t really know how to say it. I got a letter in the mail today. That should be able to explain it better than I can.”
Without another word, Adam rose from the table and went off to his room. Something weird was going on, and I was going to get to the bottom of it. Adam appeared in the hallway, an opened envelope and an unfolded piece of paper in his hand. But before he could tell me what was going on, a knock sounded from the door.
“That’s Allie,” I said as he placed the envelope on the table. “Please go let her in.”
He gave me one more apprehensive look before hurrying over to the door while I took the envelope from the table. First thing I noticed was that the envelope was huge. It wasn’t a simple letter envelope – it was more like something to hold a packet. As I opened it, I tried to figure out what kind of trouble a kid like Adam could get up to that would require this much paperwork. I liked to keep a close eye on him, and he was squeaky clean.
I flipped over the envelope. And my eyebrows shot up the moment I rested my gaze on the return label.
It read “University of Colorado – Boulder.”
“Hey, kid!” Allie came through the door, the smell of pizza wafting in ahead of her. “What’s up?”
I didn’t look up from the envelope. Instead, I opened it and dumped the contents onto the dinner table. Packets of information fell out, the papers covered in colorful pictures of kids Adam’s age having fun among a college setting. And on top of the papers was a single sheet, one with the logo for U of C – Bolder on top.
Congratulations! The University of Colorado – Boulder is pleased to inform you of your admittance…
I didn’t need to ready any further.
“Adam! Get your butt over here!”
He spun around on his feet, two pizza boxes in his hands. Allie, short and cute with a stylish black short bob, looked shocked, her big blue eyes set among her sharp features going wide.
“Huh?” she asked.
I set the letter down and got up, rushing over to Adam and throwing my arms around him. Lucky for all of us, he had the quick reflexes to raise the pizza boxes above his head before I smashed them against him.
“You little butthead!” I said, my arms wrapped around him. “You got me thinking you were getting suspended or something!”
“Couldn’t pass up the opportunity,” he laughed.
“OK,” Allie interrupted. “I’m getting the impression there’s a loop here right now, and I’m very much out of it.”
“Adam just got a letter of acceptance to the University of Colorado in Boulder!”
“What?” Allie shouted, stamping her tiny foot onto the ground in excitement. “Are you serious?”
“Totally serious,” he said. “Got the packet today. Had a little fun with Carly about it – couldn’t resist.”
“Oh, you did more than have a little fun!” I said. “You about gave me a heart attack! Then you about gave me a heart attack again when I found out what was really going on!”
“I can’t say I blame him,” Allie said as she stepped over to the counter with the wine bottle in hand. “You look pretty funny when you’re surprised.”
“She’s right,” Adam agreed. “You kind of do.”
“What are you two talking about?” I asked. “I don’t look funny.”
“Sure, sure,” Allie said as she popped open the bottle and poured two glasses.
“How about one for me?” Adam asked. “You know, since we’re celebrating and all.”
“Nice try,” I said, taking one of the glasses. “You get soda with your pizza until you’re twenty-one.”
Once we were all seated, drinks in hand and slices on our plates, we raised our glasses.
“To college,” I said. “The best, most insane years of your life.”
We tapped glasses and the conversation started in earnest, Adam telling us eagerly about all the finer points of the university to which he’d just been accepted.
But as much as I hated to admit it, all I could think about as he spoke was money. There was no way in hell I’d be able to foot the bill for his tuition. Adam had good grades and was kicking butt in basketball, which meant he had a good chance of snagging some scholarships. Otherwise, we had no choice but to sign him up for some costly student loans. And I knew first-hand how much of a burden those could be.
I tried to stay positive as we ate, however, and when we were done Adam didn’t waste any time hurrying off to his room to let his friends hear about his good news.
“So!” Allie started, glass of wine in hand and plate of pizza crusts in front of her. “This is some exciting stuff.”
“I know. And he deserves it. Kid busts his butt. Unlike a certain older sister did way back when.”
“Are you kidding?” she asked, disbelief on her face. “You were one of those girls who turned in every test swearing up and down that she’d failed it, then you’d get an ‘A’ the next day.”
“Not how I remember it, but the point is I was lucky. Adam’s going to be doing great things and I’m so freaking thrilled to see them actually happening.”
“Well,” she said, leaning in. “In that case, I think it’s time for some great things to happen to you.”
“Huh? Did I win the lottery or something and not hear about it?”
“Nope, a little smaller-scale than that. What’re your Valentine’s plans?”
“Nothing amazing. Planning on getting in some relaxation time before a weekend full of scheduling the next couple of weeks. Maybe watching a couple episodes of Bri –”
“Wrong,” she said, cutting me off mid-word. “I’ve got a much, much better idea.”
“Why do I have the feeling I’m not going to like the sound of this one bit?”
“Here’s what I’ve got in mind,” she said, blowing past my hesitation. “A Valentine’s Day blind date.”
“You’re kidding. A blind date? Do people actually do that anymore?”
“Sure! And they’re fun – way more exciting than going on some lame online dating profile or something.”
My stomach tensed at the mere mention of this plan.
“I don’t know,” I said. “Dating’s the last thing I’m worried about right now.”
“And that’s exactly why you need to do it. Carls, come on – you can’t just not date. You need to get out there, have some fun, meet some handsome guys. Who knows? Maybe you might even get laid.”
“On the first date? Not likely. Besides, it’s been so long I’m pretty sure I’ve got cobwebs down there.”
Allie laughed. “All the more reason. It’ll be fun. At th
e very worst, you’ll get a good story out of it.”
I had to admit, the idea of going on a date for the first time in God-only-knew-how-long did have its appeal.
“I already got you reservations at The Grey Plume.”
“Are you serious? Allie, that place is like fifty dollars a plate. No way that’s in the budget.”
“Trust me,” she said, leaning in. “This is the kind of guy who’ll pay for dinner. Handsome man, free meal, and you’re not spending Valentine’s evening staring at a TV screen. Come on!”
I sighed, taking another sip of my wine.
“Alright. Who is this guy, exactly?”
“I don’t have all the details. But you’ll love the ones I do know…”
Chapter 3
RYAN
Valentine’s Day came in a hurry, but I was hardly in the mood for celebrating.
I pulled up to the house and just sat in the car for a long while, the events of the day unspooling in my mind. Being a doctor had its good days and bad. And to be honest, most of them were good.
Today, on the other hand, had left me drained.
A patient of mine, a newlywed woman in her late twenties named Madeline, had been in to discuss the results of on ovarian biopsy. Madeline was by all accounts, the picture of health. She was vegan and diligent about riding her Peloton every day.
But when the results came in that morning, they told a far different story about her health.
She had ovarian cancer. I’d cleared the morning, getting my head right to break the news for her appointment at ten. Madeline had come in with her husband, and I could sense by the looks on their faces that both were expecting bad news.
I’d been in the medical field long enough to know that when you had news like this there was nothing to do but give it to them straight and as quickly as possible. That’s just what I did. They were both devastated, of course. Madeline and her husband Anthony had just gotten married and had been eager to get right into starting a family.
The news, of course, was going to complicate their plans dramatically.
We’d have to start treatment soon. But I’d told them with a little luck they’d be able to put all of this behind them in a year or so. Anthony’s concern for his wife had been palpable, which was of major relief to me. Having a supportive spouse through a process like that could make all the difference in the world.