Page 11

“Good to see your memory of events is as reliable as your decision-making. Still wrapped up in your cult?” The cutting edge in his voice slices just as deep as it did the last time we were together. “I can’t believe you’re the person I’m supposed to trust with my daughter’s education.”

I don’t really care what he thinks of me joining Petunia Lemon, but hearing a parent doubt my ability to care for and educate their child hits me so deep, it nearly knocks me over. And because this situation was never covered by any of my professors, I don’t know how to handle it.

“Listen, I know we aren’t each other’s biggest fan.

You don’t like me and the feeling is very much mutual.

” I keep my voice low and glance over my shoulder to make sure Isla is still preoccupied with her art-finding mission.

“But what we do have in common is a shared desire for Isla to have the absolute best school experience possible.”

He opens his big-ass, talented mouth, but I hurry on before he can interrupt.

“Look around this classroom.” I gesture to the reading corner tree that turned out better than I could’ve ever imagined.

Twinkly lights dance around the perimeter of the room, and my flowers bloom from the walls.

This place is magical, and not even he can deny it.

“I’ve spent countless hours making sure this is the best environment for every child who steps foot in here.

I know our time together didn’t end well, but I told you how much I love my job and you know how seriously I take it.

I’m not going to let what happened between you and I affect Isla, and I can only hope you won’t either. ”

He deflates in front of my eyes. The tension in his jaw eases, his shoulders slump, and the fight leaves his eyes. “How was her day?”

It’s not an apology, but I take it for the olive branch I know he means it to be.

“You have one amazing little girl.” I tell him something he must be aware of.

“She was a social butterfly, making new friends left and right and going out of her way to make sure some of our more quiet friends were included. We practiced sight words, did a review of the alphabet, and numbers. She did a great job and is clearly a very bright child.”

Pride radiates out of him with such ferocity, it almost hurts to look at. His love and adoration for his daughter is plastered across his face. And even though I want to think he’s a troll, it makes him all the more attractive.

“Was she okay when I wasn’t there at pickup?

Our parenting plan had it written that her mom would get the first day of school and I would pick her up before bedtime and get day two.

” The anger in his voice is back, but now that it’s not directed at me, it’s much easier to handle.

“I didn’t know she wasn’t coming to pick her up until the school called me. ”

Unlike sleeping with my student’s father, I am very capable of handling parental disputes. I hate it every time, but at least this is a problem I can assist with.

“I’m so sorry that happened.” I let the sincerity ring from my voice so there is no room for misinterpretation.

“Isla’s mom told me this morning that you would be picking her up from school.

If you’d like, I can send you both an email each morning to make sure we’re all on the same page regarding Isla and her schedule. ”

“That would be great actually, thank you.” It looks like he’s sucking on a lemon, and even though I shouldn’t take any joy in this situation, I do feel a small thrill knowing he’s already having to eat his words from moments ago.

“And she was a little sad when she was the last one here.” I don’t want to twist the knife that’s already cutting him deep, but I know it’s important to be honest about all of Isla’s day.

Not just the good parts. “But once I told her I had Candy Land and some snacks in my room, she cheered right up. She was telling me all about her birthday party and how bad you are at the game. She was on her way to beating me for the second time when you got here.”

“I didn’t know you could be bad at that game, but I somehow manage to lose every single time. Isla—”

“Daddy! Look!” Isla skips between us and cuts him off. She holds up the paper with her bright pink handprints. “Miss Pierce and Miss Allen helped us do our handprints! She said we will do one on the first day of school and one on the last day of school to see how big we get.”

Lucas…Luke? Lucas? Luke takes the picture from her and raises it to his face. “Whose hands are these?”

“They’re my hands!” Her giggles echo in the empty room.

“Your hands?” He looks closer at the picture. “No way. These hands are too big and you’re still supposed to be my baby.”

“I’m in kindergarten now, I’m not a baby anymore. Right, Miss Pierce?” Isla looks to me for backup that I’m more than happy to provide.

“She’s definitely not a baby anymore. She even helped me pass out lunch boxes at the end of the day.” I give Lucas another detail from her day. “And she did such a good job that I think her dad should take her for ice cream at Little Man to celebrate.”

“Oh wow.” Lucas shifts his focus back and forth between me and Isla. “She was that good of a worker? Little Man is a pretty special treat.”

“I was that good, Daddy. I gave everyone their lunch boxes so fast that we were able to play a superspecial game before school was over.”

As a teacher, it’s very important that I support all my students’ dreams for ice cream treats and puppy requests. “It’s true.”

“Well if Miss Pierce says it, then it must be true,” he says, and I try not to snort at the irony of it all. “Why don’t you put these handprints away so we can go celebrate.”

“I can take the picture.” I hold out my hand and take the picture from Isla. “You hurry and get your backpack, okay?”

“Okay!” she shouts over her shoulder, her little feet making quick work now that ice cream is involved.

“Little Man Ice Cream?” Lucas whispers as we watch her go. “You couldn’t have said McDonald’s?”

“Only the best for my students.” I grin just before a still running Isla zooms right past her dad and straight into me.

“Bye, Miss Pierce.” She wraps her tiny little arms around me and hugs me tight. “I had the best day ever.”

“I had the best day too.” I hug her back, her little voice melting my heart and solidifying my love for my job even more. “Let’s do it again tomorrow, okay?”

She nods, letting me go and taking her dad’s hand in hers. They walk to the classroom door, and Lucas pulls it open for Isla before he turns to me. “Thanks for giving my girl the best first day.”

He doesn’t wait for a response, which is probably a good thing since, for the second time this afternoon, he’s rendered me speechless.

Not seconds later, the door swings back open, and I’m embarrassed at the way I nearly fall to my knees with disappointment when Keisha fills my doorway instead of Luke.

“Oh my god.” She whistles, leaning her head back into the hallway to no doubt appreciate the view of watching Lucas leave. “Is that one of the parents in your class? He’s so fucking hot.”

“Oh, Keisha.” I collapse into the new-to-me aerodynamic chair Nora rolled into my room before school started this morning. “Do I have a first-day story for you.”

I don’t have to say more before Keisha is seated, ready for the piping hot tea my life just won’t stop providing.

Every school year is new and exciting, but I can say without hesitation that this is the first time I feel well and truly fucked.

Literally.