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“Good. Even though I want to leave the house less and less.”
“I understand; my mother doesn't think about anything other than watching television after she retired.”
“There are interesting programs,” I tried to be optimistic.
“Not the ones she watches.” My coworker laughed.
I shrugged and headed for my classroom, preparing the place before the students arrived. I had organized some more playful activities the day before that I hoped would keep them busy and make them have fun, as well as stimulate their motor skills and reasoning.
I loved my job. Being with those little ones was undoubtedly the best part of my day. I had never regretted the professional choice I had made, even if it didn't bring the same prestige as other jobs. Seeing those little angels develop every day was very rewarding.
Sometimes I thought about what it would be like to have children of my own, but going home from work every day and leaving zero time for flirting, it was unlikely that I would find a husband.
Maybe a handsome, super-interesting guy would sit next to me on the subway, commenting on the launch of an author I admired or telling me about his plans to live in a house with a backyard. I laughed to myself as I thought how silly it was to imagine such a situation.
“Helena!”
I was startled when little arms wrapped around my waist.
“Hi, Michael!” I stroked my little pupil's head.
“Hey!”
“How did you spend the night?”
“I dreamt it.”
“Did you dream it?”
He nodded.
“With what?”
“Tihad aponi.”
“That you had a pony?”
“É!”
“Wow, was it nice?”
“It was.”
“Have you ever ridden a pony?”
“I walked. Dadtook meon the trip.”
“When did you go on a trip?” I used to repeat the sentences or ask questions with the context to help them understand the words better, thus improving their pronunciation, which was still very childish. “Where did you go?”
He squeezed his eyes shut, thinking and pressed his lips together until he seemed to give up.
“I don'tremember.”
“It's all right.” I caressed his shoulder. “You can tell me later. Now, go sit in your seat and wait for the rest of your colleagues to arrive.”
“Yes!”
Gradually, the room filled up with familiar faces, but the twins were slow to appear. I was worried, almost thinking they wouldn't come until Holly appeared, guiding them into the room.