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nostrils flare slightly as I have to force myself not to burst out

laughing. I really, really appreciate kids who are intelligent far

beyond their years. I teach high school and I’ve never thought

about making the switch, but it would be pretty entertaining to

be able to teach younger grades too, I have to admit.

Adley looks intensely relieved when we come up to the

park. It’s in the middle of a busy area with shops, restaurants,

and offices all around. Maybe there are a few daycares around

here that use it for play. There isn’t anyone here at the

moment. The benches are free, and Tildy has the run of the

equipment all to herself.

Adley takes her cup and looks even more relieved to

find that it’s mostly still full. She sits down on one end of a

long wooden bench, closes her eyes for just a second, and sips

her dark and delicious smelling coffee. She sets that aside and

digs a notepad and pen out of her bag. She looks embarrassed

again. Her eyes flick between the notepad and Tildy. I have to

say something, because I can tell how tightly wound she is.

I have a fleeting thought about how much prettier she’d

look with her hair down, relaxed and laughing, chasing after

Tildy in some silly game, which surprises me. My stomach

feels slightly pinched and a weird shiver rattles up my back

and echoes faintly in my chest.

Instead of being reassuring, I stumble over the words.

“I, um, I know this is probably going to be hard, since I can’t

imagine this is actually going to be fun, but you should relax.

I’m going to do my best to make this a success. I’ll give you a

good review no matter what. It wouldn’t be your fault if I

don’t find someone. So don’t worry. I can tell you’re worried

and it’s making me worried.”