Page 5 of Revived

“Thanks. Problem is, I still have one more class to teach today and now I have to cancel it.”

Rachel looks up at me, then back at Grayson, before she stands tall again and gives me an inquisitive look. “Uh… what if I watch him for you?”

I’m sure the look on my face is beyond perplexed, but the fact that this woman just offered to take care of a child that isn’t hers after barely speaking to us is beyond crazy.

“I’m sorry. I just realized how that must have sounded right now.” She lifts her hands in the air in surrender. “I swear, I’m not a crazy person who just feeds birds for fun and picks up random children,” she spits out at a speed that is impressive. “I actually just came from a meeting at the enrollment office. I just moved here and was looking to start the credential program to become an elementary school teacher, hoping to be able to start this summer. But there aren’t any spots open until the fall.”

“Yeah, that program fills up fast. Sorry if this sounds rude, but why should I trust you with my kid?” Rachel straightens her spine and lifts an eyebrow while I stand there assessing her. My whole body is on alert now as I contemplate whether I should take her up on her offer or run for the hills. As a parent, I’m sure the fact I’m even contemplating this should render me incompetent to look after a child. But the other part of me says I should trust her—why, I’m not entirely sure just yet.

Her face finally softens as she looks down at Grayson. “That’s a fair question and all I can tell you is, I like kids. Grayson seems great and you’re in a pinch. We can stay right here so you can keep an eye on us. And if anything happens, feel free to report me.” She reaches into her pocket and retrieves one of those wallets that acts as a phone case as well, offering me her ID once she wiggles it free.

Rachel Zanetti. Twenty-six. Resident of New York.

“Go ahead, take a picture,” she urges while turning to assess where Grayson is. His arm is shoulder deep in the bag of bread now as he chucks whole slices onto the ground, giggling as the birds close in on him, honking and gawking while they wrestle each other for every last crumb.

Reluctantly, I reach for my phone in my pocket and snap a shot, then take a picture of her standing in front of me too just in case I need to describe what she was wearing later.

“Now, give me your number and I’ll give you mine.” She rattles off her digits as I enter them in my phone and then I call her so she has my contact information, all the while my mind reeling that I’m actually considering this.

“Daddy! There’s no more bread!” Grayson whines as he runs up to us.

“That’s okay, buddy. Say, how would you like to hang out with Rachel for a while so Daddy can teach his last class?”

Grayson’s face lights up like fireworks on the fourth of July. “Really? Yes!” Rachel and I both chuckle at his excitement.

“Okay. Can you promise to listen and not run off?”

He nods. “I promise, Daddy!”

“Cross your heart?”

He drags his finger in the pattern of an X across his chest as his eyes widen and he becomes super serious. “Yes, Daddy.”

I let out a defeated breath. “Okay then.” As I move to stand, I find Rachel staring down at us, smiling.

“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this... but midterms are coming up and I need to go through a few more topics before the test.”

“I get it, I do. I remember how stressful this time in the year is as a student. I can’t imagine the pressure as a teacher. But I promise I’ll take good care of him. It’s just for a few hours, right?”

“You have no idea what you just agreed to. My son is full of energy and will talk your ear off.”

“Well, I love to talk too, so it’s perfect.” She ruffles his hair beneath his beanie and then finds my eyes again. “What room is your class in?”

“204. Just over there.” I point across the lawn to the building I spend more time in now than my own home.

“Then we will stay around here so you can see us through the window in case you get freaked.”

My head is telling me I’m crazy, but my heart is telling me this woman is actually a good person just trying to help someone out.

“Okay,” I relent. “I have about an hour before my next class. Let me get him some food so he doesn’t tell you he’s hungry every five seconds, and then we’ll meet you back here in about forty-five minutes?”

“Sounds great. I’ll wait in my car. My lunch is in there.”

“We’ll see you in a bit then.”

I usher Grayson to the car and strap him in, his mouth moving at lightning speed as he tells me how excited he is to feed the ducks some more while we drive to a fast-food chain to get some lunch. On our way back we stop at a gas station where I grab a package of hotdog buns since they were out of bread and a hot chocolate for Rachel, giving him something to feed the ducks with again and a small token of my appreciation for her help.

When we arrive back at the college, I see Rachel is waiting for us on one of the benches in the gazebo adjacent to the lake, staring out over the water. She looks so peaceful and at ease in that moment, I almost feel bad for ruining it.

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