Page 19 of I Think He Knows?

Lilly gives me a warm smile and holds out her hand.

“It’s great to meet you, Serena,” she says, her tone smooth and calming. “I’ve heard only good things.”

“Oh good. That’s a relief.”

Lilly doesn’t waste anytime asking me questions about my years teaching, my favorite things about my career, my concerns, and my goals. The only things she doesn’t ask are my favorite color and my relationship status. Admittedly I’m wondering if she’s curious about the latter.

“I’m looking forward to connecting with the staff and getting to know everyone,” she says. “I can already tell you have a great team here. That’s so important for the school to run smoothly.”

I nod. “We really do. Everyone is willing to help, and they genuinely care.”

Lilly nods knowingly.

“I knew it the first time I came to visit this school,” she says. “I immediately felt the positive energy, and knew I’d really fit in here.”

Ms. Lewis looks like she might burst into tears of pride. I can already see that she and Lilly are going to get along well. Our last assistant principal didn’t share the same level of urgency when it came to school spirit, and she didn’t pretend otherwise.

“Well, you came to the right place,” I exclaim.

“Okay, we’re off to our next classroom,” Ms. Lewis says. “Have a great day with our littlest Eagles.”

“Lovely meeting you,” Lilly says.

“Same to you.”

As soon as they leave my body relaxes a bit. I’m not sure why I was so nervous about their visit. Ms. Lewis has come to my room many times. And Lilly was perfectly pleasant, so maybe there isn’t more to the Cam situation. Why worry about a problem that may not even exist?

I quickly finish preparing for my students to arrive.

* * *

“Ms. Black, Avery said my dog is not cute,” Clara yells.

“My dog is cuter,” Avery says flatly. There’s no level of confidence like that of a six-year-old who believes their pet is the best.

“Avery, I’m sure your dog is very cute, but are you being a kind friend by telling Clara her dog isn’t cute?”

Avery’s expression grows pensive.

“Clara’s dog is a little cute,” she says finally.

I try to keep from laughing. It’s difficult not to appreciate the honesty of these children.

“It’s okay for your dogs to be your favorite,” I remind them. “But remember we don’t want to make our friends feel sad, right?”

Avery and Clara both nod their heads.

Zachary waves his hand rapidly in the air, waiting to be called on.

“Yes, Zachary?”

“I don’t have a dog. My sister is ‘llergic.”

“Oh, wow,” I say.

“I have a cat,” Alyssa shouts.

“I have two cats, and fish,” Fiona announces.

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