Page 33 of Off Limits

“Do you mind if I ask a few questions about the schedule?”

I smiled. “Of course not.”

Someone off to my right cleared their throat. I glanced over at the husband and wife who were standing a couple feet away. Judging by the expressions on their faces, they were starting to get impatient.

Theresa followed my gaze. “I’m sorry again for not being here earlier to get all of this information already.”

“Sorry!” Evanne added.

I smiled and told them not to worry. I wasn’t going to shove them aside just because someone else thought they deserved my attention more. Theresa and I chatted briefly about the learning outcomes for the year, and she made a few notes on her smartphone, surprising me at how easily she navigated the tech.

“Can I do sprints at the gym?” Evanne asked suddenly, interjecting herself back into the conversation.

“Of course,” I said. “The gym isn’t a classroom, after all.”

“I want to be the fastest girl in the world. Like a cheetah.” She curled her fingers into claws.

“That’s pretty fast,” I agreed, chuckling at her imitation.

“Daddy says if I work hard, I can do anything.”

“He’s big on working hard,” Theresa said.

Something about the way she said it made me wonder if this wasn’t the first time she’d had to bring her granddaughter to things because her son was working.

Unless it became an issue with Evanne, however, it wasn’t my business.

“It takes a lot of work to be the fastest runner,” I said, keeping my attention on Evanne. “And to be the best student you can be.”

I believed in pushing students to reach their potential, but I also knew that didn’t always mean the same things. Some students would never be at the top of their academic classes. It had no bearing on actual intelligence, and one of the things I wanted to convey to all of my students was that I would do all I could to help them succeed.

“I’m going to work hard,” Evanne said with a definitive nod.

“That’s what Grandma likes to hear.” Theresa winked at me.

“Me too,” I said. “I think we’re going to get along famously, Evanne.”

“Me too, Ms. Browne,” Evanne said, beaming.

What a sweetheart.

“As much as I’m enjoying talking to you, I do have a couple other people who are waiting to talk to me,” I said. “Did you have any other questions for me?”

Evanne raised her hand.

“Yes, Evanne?”

“Are there going to be any pizza days?”

“Evanne!” Theresa laughed. “Not everything revolves around pizza, you know.”

With the strict dietary restrictions many of the parents most likely had for their kids, I wondered how many of the kids would look to the school to give them a break.

“I haven’t seen a menu yet, but I’ll be sure to check.” I winked at her. “I like pizza too.”

Evanne giggled, and that was a good, positive note to end this interaction on.

“It was great meeting you two,” I said, shaking Theresa’s hand again and giving Evanne another high five. “Feel free to mingle and meet the other parents and students. Enjoy the rest of your long weekend, and we’ll get started first thing Tuesday morning.”