Page 9 of Inside Out
“My folks have arranged for us to perform the play at the Getty Theater in Goodville instead of our cafetorium,” Clara informed me. “It’s a historic theater built in 1916.”
“I’m familiar with the Getty Theater,” I said fondly. “She’s a beauty, and I can’t think of a better place to perform the play. I’ll have to express my gratitude to all of your parents for their commitment and generosity.”
I had noticed parent engagement with the school and staff was higher here than I’d seen in the other districts I’d worked as an educator or an administrator. I was eager to see what the new school year would bring us. Speaking of which, we needed to wrap up our production meeting and get to the auditorium for the athletic director’s meeting.
“Does anyone have any questions or concerns at this time?” I asked. The kids looked at one another before returning their attention to me. The three of them shook their heads, and we all turned to look at Julius. “Mr. Shepherd?” Was it me, or was he watching my mouth form his name on my lips?
He blinked then moved his eyes up to meet mine. “I don’t have any questions right now.”
“Then we’ll adjourn and head back to the high school for the athletic meeting.” All three kids groaned as we rose from the table. I recalled from the photos in the fall sports insert that Ellie played tennis for Julius, Clara played volleyball, and Curtis ran cross country.
The kids left the room talking animatedly once more about the play while Julius and I followed at a slower pace. I wasn’t sure what to say to him, although I needed to say something. The urge to reach for his hand rose sharp and swift inside me, stealing my breath.
“Are you okay?” Julius asked, sounding concerned. His brow was furrowed when I turned my head to look at him. “You sucked in a sharp breath like maybe you were in pain.”
“No, I’m fine,” I rushed to assure him. “I’m not hurt. A thought just came to me that caught me off guard, but I wasn’t aware my reaction was audible.”
“It was pretty subtle,” he said then cleared his throat. If it was a subtle reaction, then it meant he was tuned in to me, picking up things others wouldn’t. The uncertain smile he gave me was incredibly sweet, and I longed to trace the curve of his lips with my fingers.Maybe someday I’ll have the right to act on my desire.Until then, I’d settle for friendship.
The fall athletics meeting was as boring as the kids had warned. I spoke first, and it was my first time publicly addressing the parents, coaches, and students. I wasn’t typically nervous about speaking in front of crowds, because I’d been performing in one way or another since I was a kid, but I couldn’t deny the jangle of nerves I felt knowinghewas watching and judging me just as the crowd was. There was also no denying that his opinion mattered a lot to me.
Afterward, I stayed at the school and talked to those who wanted to introduce themselves to me. I was glad to see so many people were excited about the upcoming year but ready to get home to take Dolly for a walk and start readingInside Out. Dolly was my best girl and confidante. She came into my life when I needed a warm body to cuddle, and her fur had absorbed many shed tears during our time together. Her friendly little licks on the chin could pull me back from despair like no one else could. She didn’t deserve to be locked in a house for endless hours, so I employed my next-door neighbor, Lily Brewer, as my dog sitter. I took Dolly over to Lily’s house before heading to work and picked her up as soon as I got home. Dolly got to play all day with Lily’s dogs, and I never worried about her being lonely.
Dolly happily barked as she watched my approach through Lily’s glass storm door. Her tail whipped from side to side, and her silky ears bounced every time she barked. My heart swelled with love as I jogged up the steps and rang the doorbell. Lily answered the door wearing an apron covered in red splotches.
“Cooking something with tomatoes or have you killed someone?” I teased when she opened the door so I could come in. Dolly began to turn in circles while she waited for me to crouch down and give her ears a good scratch.
“Canning tomatoes, making homemade salsa, and spaghetti sauce. I make enough for two armies. Are you interested in receiving jars of any of those things?”
“I love salsa and chips,” I told her.
“What’s your preference? Mild, medium, hot, or great balls of fire? Perhaps you’d like my sampler. Instead of a pint of salsa, I give you one of each in small jelly jars.”
I chuckled over my options. “I’ll take the sampler,” I said.
“Great. I’ll have it ready for you tomorrow when you pick up Dolly. I’ll send home a few extra goodies too. I assure you that my spaghetti sauce is the best you’ll ever have. It’s great to pop open a jar after a long day at work and pour over spaghetti noodles and a perfectly breaded, pan-seared chicken breast.”
“My mouth is already watering just thinking about it,” I told her. “How was Dolly today?” She hadn’t seemed herself this morning when I dropped her off.
“She wasn’t as playful as normal, but her appetite was good, and she drank plenty of water. Dogs are like people; they have moody days. They’re also highly sensitive to their human’s moods too. Maybe she’s feeding off the signals you’re putting out, even if you’re not aware. Excited or nervous about the upcoming school year perhaps?”
“No more excited than usual,” I replied but knew it wasn’t true. I only had to think about seeing Julius and my heart raced. “We’ll take an extra-long walk tonight and maybe stop for a frozen treat.” The ice cream parlor in town sold treats made especially for dogs. Dolly barked sharply twice. That was her way of telling me she was down for the walk and ice cream. “We’ll head out of here so you can get on with your night. Thanks for watching her later than usual.”
“She’s a joy to have around,” Lily assured me. “See you in the morning.”
“Good night, Lily.”
At home, I opened my email on my phone to print out the script forInside OutClara had sent me and noticed she’d sent a new email that included the character sheets they made up for all the roles in the play. I preferred to hold a physical script in my hand so I could make notes, even though those tools were available digitally. I hit the print command for both documents then went into the kitchen to fix a light supper before we set off on our walk. I had leftover grilled chicken and decided to boil some penne pasta and make a simple and quick herb and garlic pesto to toss them with.
I slipped Dolly a few bites of the grilled chicken before I coated it with the pesto. I loved my girl, but her breath was foul enough without adding garlic to her diet. I kept my eyes on the printed script as I made notes rather than look into her big, brown eyes as she begged at my feet. After dinner, I changed into a pair of basketball shorts, a tank top, and my running shoes. Dolly dragged her leash to me when I sat in the kitchen chair to tie the laces on my shoes.
“Of course, you’re going,” I told her. “Didn’t I say so at Lily’s house?”
The leash in her mouth muffled her bark. Once I finished tying my shoes, I hooked the leash to her harness, and we headed out at a nice pace both of us could enjoy. Her little legs were too short to keep up with my morning runs so she sat those out. Nighttime strolls were all about her and the pace she wanted to go. Sometimes, she was feeling her moxie and trotted along quickly, and other times, she poked around smelling every other blade of grass. Her pace was in between those two, but I was happy to tag along while she did her thing. I knew I had a glass of chilled Chianti and a funny play script waiting for me when I got home.
The ice cream parlor, Tooty Fruity, was fairly busy when we arrived, but I figured it was everyone clinging to the last days of summer before school started. I ordered a double dip of butter pecan for me and a frozen doggy treat for Dolly. We sat beneath one of the tables shaded by a big, colorful umbrella.
I leaned over and petted Dolly’s silky ears while enjoying my cone and thinking about the little bit of the play I’d already read. These kids were really onto something special, and no matter where life took them, I hoped they always held on to this creative outlet.