Page 33 of Agent of the Heart (Hearts in Hawthorne #3)
She pushed these thoughts aside as she got out of her car and saw Kay waving at her. They greeted one another, and then Kay took Darby inside HHS, swiping her employee badge to gain admittance.
“I’m so glad you could meet on a Sunday,” she told Kay.
“Once I dropped Todd off at DFW, I had the rest of the day free. I do need to start packing, though. I’ve already hired movers, knowing we may have to put our things in storage if Todd can’t find anything quick to rent or buy.”
“Will you live in the city or head to the suburbs?” she asked.
“I have a friend from college who lives in Highland Park, which is just north of Chicago. She says it’s one of the nicer suburbs, with a great school district.
I’ve already applied there and to a few other districts nearby.
I doubt I’ll land a teaching position, what with the year already underway.
I’ll probably ask to get on the sub list. Subbing is a great way to see the inner workings of various schools.
But to answer your question, I’m hoping we’ll do a short-term rental in the city.
Chicago’s supposed to be fantastic, with lots of restaurants and shopping that’s walkable.
If we can do a six-month lease on an apartment, we can take our time finding a house during that time.
Since I’m hoping to be pregnant in the next few months, it would be ideal to find the house and then move in and get settled before the baby comes. ”
Kay laughed. “I’m trying not to put my cart before the horse, but I’m so excited to be able to move with Todd and keep trying for a baby.”
“I’m grateful you’re vacating your spot here at HHS. And really appreciative of you taking the time to put things in good working order for me.”
They walked through the familiar halls, which didn’t seem to have changed much since her own days as a Hawk. A certain smell permeated the halls, the smell of a school and its books. It was one she liked.
In Kay’s room, she looked over the posters on the walls and the way the bulletin board was decorated.
“Because I handle both publications, I have more than one room,” Kay informed her.
“This is the room where I teach the intro class. It’s also where I start off the beginning of each class.
Make any announcements. Pass out story assignments and assign deadlines.
Then the students move into the next two rooms, which are connected to this one. ”
Kay led her into the first and gave Darby time to look over the layout and equipment which the newspaper staff used.
“You see a few computers in here. All staff members are assigned a tablet, though, and that’s where most of their work is done. They submit their stories and features via email to both their section editor, the editor-in-chief, and me.”
Kay went to one of the computers and called up the upcoming edition of the Hawthorne Herald.
Together, they went through it, page by page, discussing the layout.
Kay had lists of reporters and photographers, which noted their specialties and preferences.
Some students focused solely on news. Other on sports.
She was glad to be seeing everything and getting a feel for the way the newspaper worked.
“Let’s go next door to yearbook,” Kay said, leading Darby into a huge room. “In the corner is a small darkroom. While we do most everything digitally these days, I do teach the photographers on both staffs how to develop film the old-fashioned way.”
For the next hour, the sponsor went over the timeline for the yearbook. How assignments had been made and how pages were drawn up and filled. There were enough similarities to the way the newspaper worked that Darby didn’t feel utterly lost.
“You’ll come to depend upon the editor and associate editor of Horizon . Once again, having moved to digital has been a true lifesaver from the way they did things years ago.”
“You’re very organized.”
“You have to be, teaching so many different things and sponsoring various organizations. Again, you’ll be working with some of the cream of the crop in the school, Darby.
These are good kids. They won’t test you as many other teachers find they are.
It’s easy to engage these students because they’re doing something they have a passion for. ”
They returned to the main classroom, where Kay handed over a notebook.
“These are my lesson plans for the year for Intro to Journalism, newspaper, and yearbook.” She pulled a second notebook.
“And this one is exclusively for cheerleading. It’s got everything you need to step in and seamlessly run the squads.
Vendors I’ve ordered uniforms and pompoms from.
Timelines on when to teach new dances or paint signs for the upcoming football game. When to start preparing for nationals.”
Kay paused. “You do want to take the girls to nationals, don’t you? With them being held in Dallas this year, the girls are really excited, and we’re expecting a good turnout.”
“I definitely want to go to nationals,” she assured Kay.
They talked shop for another hour, and she realized the afternoon had flown by.
“May I take these notebooks with me?”
“You sure can. Blanche said that my job is still posted now, but you’ll be able to start not this Wednesday, but the next.”
“Would you consider staying a day or so with me?” she asked.
Kay smiled. “I was hoping you would say that. I’d be happy to finish the week out.
Mentor you a little. Let you get to know the kids and see if they have any last-minute questions for me.
When I walk out that door, though, I’m done here.
The kids will know you’re in charge, not me.
I’m going to get a new email address and dump my old one.
I’m afraid if I make myself available to them for questions, they’ll continually turn to me and not to you. ”
“I appreciate that. I’d hate for them to be torn in two directions.”
“Their loyalty will lie with you,” Kay assured her.
Kay reached for a yearbook and handed it to Darby.
“This is last year’s. Honestly, very few students order a hard copy these days.
Most of our sales are for the online edition of Horizon .
I’ve tucked a list inside of each group.
The varsity cheerleaders, etc. This way, you can look up pictures and be a little bit familiar with the students.
Some of the girls have changed their hair and all the kids have a year’s maturity, but it beats walking in the first day and not knowing what a single soul looks like. ”
Excitement filled her. “This is terrific, Kay. Boy, I’ve got a lot of homework to do.”
“Text me if you have any questions. We have a home game this coming Friday. The dreaded Dragons. You’re welcome to come down to the field again like you and Kelby did before.
In fact, bring her. That way, I won’t have to explain just yet that you have the job before you’re supposed to have the job. ”
“Thanks so much. I’ll be there. You’re really making things easy for me, Kay.”
“Back at you. With you stepping in, I’m able to join Todd in Chicago, something I thought would be impossible.”
They returned to their cars, and Darby hugged Kay. “Do you like Starbucks?”
“Love it. What teacher doesn’t live for caffeine?” Kay sighed. “Of course, I’ll have to go the decaf route once I’m pregnant.”
“Then I’ll make sure I bring a gift card to you when I see you on Friday. It’s the least I can do.”
Darby texted Jace that she had finished her meeting with Kay and that she was going home now. Her phone rang almost as soon as she sent the text.
“Hey,” Jace said. “Everything go okay?”
“Better than okay. I wish Kay were staying at HHS and that we could teach together. She’s really a great gal.”
“Kay is the reason you got to leave Kansas City,” he reminded her. “Are you packed for Dallas?”
“Yes. I’ll go home and grab my things. Tell Sawyer goodbye if he’s there. Then I’ll leave. If you’re ready to head back that way, maybe I can follow you there.”
“Or maybe you can just ride with me.”
“I hate to disappoint you, but Kay asked me to stop by and visit with her and the cheerleaders on Friday night. It’s another home game. That means I need to be back in Hawthorne.”
“I’ll have you back in plenty of time for the game.”
“But you’ll have to leave the office really early to get through Friday traffic and up to Hawthorne,” she protested.
“Remember, I’m the boss. We can leave at noon. Or whenever you like.”
“I know you wanted me to spend the weekend with you.”
“Hey, I’m getting you for the entire week. I’m happy with that.”
She relented. “Okay. Meet me at Sawyer’s.”
Darby drove to her brother’s. He already knew she was going to spend the week in Dallas, but she let him know that she’d be back on Friday for the football game.
“Jace can stay here,” Sawyer told her. “I know I’ll hear all kinds of sexy sounds through the walls, but I don’t want you to think that you can’t bring him here.”
He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. She wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Thank you, Big Brother. You know I love you.”
“Of course. I’m the great Sawyer Montgomery. Everyone loves me,” he teased.
Jace arrived five minutes later and took her suitcase to the car. She told Sawyer goodbye and got into the passenger seat. Jace started the car, and they made their way back to Dallas.
Darby had high hopes for what the week together would bring.