Page 15 of An Adventure For Aster

“Thanks,” she said. “It does.”

He started to walk away from her and then turned his head. “Talk to you soon. Hopefully.”

She smiled and had to stop herself from jumping in place like one of her students did in excitement. “You will.”

5

ADAPTABLE PERSON

“You’re prompt,” Raine said the next day.

Aster was shocked she’d texted him last night.

“A bad habit of mine,” he said.

“It’s never a bad habit to be punctual. I think we are too laid back of a society as a whole.”

“I agree with that,” he said. “I don’t want to put it on the parents because mine sure the heck weren’t much of parents and I turned out decent enough.”

He wasn’t sure why he said that.

“I can tell by your frown you wished those words didn’t come out of your mouth, but I’m glad they did. I’ve been told before I make people feel comfortable. Parents and children alike often confide in me and it’s hard work to make that happen.”

“I’m sure,” he said. “I wouldn’t want your job.”

“That’s sweet,” she said. “Sorry. You’re frowning again. But I really appreciate it. So many times I’ve been dismissed for my career. It’s nothing glamorous like saving lives.”

“You’re teaching our youth,” he said. “I probably have teachers to thank for what I learned rather than my parents.”

At least when he was younger.

“I’m sorry your parents weren’t around.”

“They were around,” he said. “Just disconnected. No biggie. It’s not like we were abused. Again, not sure why I said what I did. You’re going to think I’m some kind of wuss with a flower name.”

She smiled. “I did look your name up. I noticed it was a kind of daisy. Did you get picked on about that as a kid?”

“No,” he said. “I was the biggest kid in my class most times. The older I got, most knew not to mess with me. Plus my name could mean star too. Boys don’t normally ask the meaning of names. Where I came from, kids were named all sorts of things and people spell it any way they want.”

She laughed. “For as small of an area as this is, I see that too. I always feel horrible when I pronounce or spell a child’s name wrong, but I’ve got to try first to remember if I got it right or wrong.”

“That’s a good way to look at it. Is there any place special you want to go?”

“I’m open for anything,” she said.

“There is this pub not far from here. They’ve got good food and drinks. You said drink, but I got thinking you might be more of a wine drinker.”

“I drink wine and the occasional beer. I could do a fruity drink when I’m with the girls too. I’m a pretty adaptable person overall.”

“Me too,” he said.

They walked to his truck and he felt bad she grunted when she pulled herself up to get in.

“Brooks has a truck like this. Ivy and I laugh about different ways we have to pull ourselves up and it’s a form of exercise.” She flexed her arm, but he couldn’t tell anything with her jacket on. “Builds muscle.”

“It’s good for the job,” he said. “I bought it when I moved here.”

“Where are you from?” she asked.

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