Page 82 of One More Chapter

After waking up in my arms, and giving me the allotted ten minutes of cuddle time, she had apologetically said she had work to get done for her book, and spent the rest of the weekend bent over her laptop. I’m surprised her computer didn’t start on fire from how fast her fingers moved. I had to remind her to take food breaks.

This week at school has been a little nuts, too. We’re in the last few weeks before Thanksgiving, which means the kids are getting extra antsy. Nate ended up hiring out a floating substitute teacher for the building, giving Penelope a bit of breathing room without me. That has allowed Lucy, Nate, and I to work out the bare bones for our behavior plan. We got a few of River Valley’s teachers, as well as Phyllis, to test run behavior tracking, but for the most part, the Meadow Ridge teachers are still against it.

In the midst of all that, I’ve been trying to get as much done on the house as possible so that I can start doing interior construction during winter break.

On the other hand, the faster I get it done, the less time I have with Pen in our place.

“Quick break before we start upstairs?” Aaron asks, his tools dangling from a belt.

“Uh… No,” I hesitate. “Let’s be done for today. By the time we lug all of this upstairs, it’ll be close to dinner.”

My hyper-focus had no chance to kick in today, which is so out of character, I wonder if I mis-dosed on my medication. All I want to do is go home and see Penelope. Cuddle on the couch. Watch a movie. Order a pizza and sling back a couple of beers. Justbetogether.

But, I also promisedthese guysbeer and pizza in exchange for manual labor. I place the order, and by the time we move all of the supplies and tools upstairs, it arrives, along with my brother Ian, who just can’t stay away from a project. We sit on the unfinished floor and eat over the boxes like civilized men.

“Gentlemen, this is Ian.”

He grunts in response, then begins a slow walk of the downstairs to scrutinize our work.

“How’s the search for a new principal coming?” Sam asks Nate.

“Not great,” he says with a curt shake of his head. “We’ve had a few applications, but none want to take on the current situation.”

That current situation being “has to be in charge of two staffs and two-hundred-percent of the students, most of which are starting fist fights in the halls due to a clash of behaviors.”

Nate takes a deep breath, then levels us.

“I’m not supposed to pass along this information just yet, but I trust you three to keep it discreet. Rita, Meadow Ridge’s assistant principal, decided that she won’t be returning after her maternity leave.”

My heart shoots into my throat, especially as all eyes drift over to me. In my doubts, the guys are here to support me.

“So, you’re taking the job, right Ant?” Sam asks.

“Excellent!” Aaron echoes, sporting a huge grin. He reaches a hand across the circle and I clap mine against his, even though this is still brand new news to me, news I’m not even sure if I can act on.

Beneath the weight of Nate’s news, I still find myself tensing. There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle: I’d have to switch schools, officially leave the classroom, and take on the authority of actually being the assistant principal instead of just donning the costume for the time being.

“I’m definitely considering it. But what happens next year when you take over again, Nate? AP is your role.”

Nowhegoes rigid. Last school year, the guys had invited me out for drinks, and Nate had confessed to wanting to be back in the classroom. By the way he’s rubbing the back of his neck and gazing at his shoes instead of at us, I wonder if things have changed.

“I do miss working in the classroom. However, despite the chaos of this year, I’m actually kind of enjoying the role. Especially knowing I don’thaveto be here. Financially, I have choices. I could see myself returning to the classroom one day, but I do enjoy being out and about, assisting teachers, watchingothersteach, and being a helping hand. The behavior management that we’ve been working on is also fascinating, and I…”

Nate shakes his head, which leaves the rest of us stunned.

“I think I could see myself staying. Stepping up to be a principal full-time.”

Something inside ofmeflickers.

I’ve always invented excuses tonotreach out and take what I want, but right now, everyone is giving me the go-ahead green light.

Apply for the AP role. Take the position. We want you here. You do a good job.

“Your behavior framework is exactly the type of initiative we need from the role,” Nate nods. “The board will welcome you with open arms.”

Somehow, it isn’t any of my actual colleagues that persuades me the most.

“Do it, Ant. Sounds like it’s something you’d be good at.”

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