Page 50 of Teacher of the Year

“That sounds remarkably date-ish to me,” she argues. She’s not entirely wrong.

“I realize it sounds that way, but it wasn’t. We are squarely locked in the friend zone, and I’m perfectly fine with that,” I fib as Olan’s flawless naked body flashes in my head. His gorgeous cock in my hand. My mouth. His body writhing under my spell. Friday night obliterated the friend zone, and my chest tingles at the memory.

“Anyway, how was your weekend?” I change the subject with the deftness of a child spitting out their meal into a napkin and hoping their parents don’t notice. Luckily, it appears to have worked.

“Pretty good. I actually have some news.”

“News? What? What is it?”

Jill stands and shuts the door. If privacy is required, this must be something spectacular.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers, placing a hand on her stomach.

“What? Really? How? When?” I shout louder than I should.

“Hush it. Yes, really, and I think you know how. I’ll spare you the gory details of heterosexual intercourse. I missed my last period, took a home test, and the doctor confirmed it this morning, but we’re only in the first trimester and agreed not to tellanyoneyet. Technically, I’m not supposed to tell you, so not a word, mister. I mean it. Zip it. Nobody.” She runs a finger across her lips.

I knew Jill and Nick had been trying for a little over a year. The last time she was pregnant didn’t have a happy ending. She’d texted me during Morning Meeting. We never text when we’re teaching, so I knew something was up. She was experiencing extreme cramps, and I drove her to the hospital to meet Nick. One of the worst days in Jill’s life became one I will always remember for all the wrong reasons. I knew they’d been trying, but after the last time, I don’t ask about it unless she brings it up. Jill and Nick expecting again gives me hope.

“Oh my gosh, best news ever! I’m so happy. For you both.” I stand and hug her tightly. “I’m not hurting you, right?”

“No, Marvin, you’re not hurting the tiny human growing inside of me with a tight hug. Now listen, part of the reason I’m telling you, and nobody else yet, has to do with the bathroom. I will have to pee a lot more often and need you to cover for me.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” I give my best salute. “Seriously, Jill, you know I’d do anything for you. Anything. I love you so much.” The corners of my eyes sting with wetness as a stab of guilt about not being honest with her jabs me.

She sniffles. “I love you too. Now stop making me cry. My hormones are all over the place.”

“Anything for you. And the baby. The baby!” I put my hand on her stomach. “Do you mind?” I pull my hand away. “Because I know not everybody loves people touching their stomach with the baby, but a baby!”

“You’re not people, you’re Marvin, and you’re my people, and you can touch my stomach as much as you want,” she assures me, grabbing my hand and returning it to her belly.

Thinking about how much Jill wants this, how she’s telling me and nobody else, and what I’m keeping from her creates a chasm in my stomach. If things progress with Olan, I’ll have to tell her something. Jill and I don’t do secrets, and I’m certain she’ll be on to me soon. And maybe keeping things hushed heightens the turn-on factor, but I’d love to tell Jill every gory detail because she would relish every single one with me.

* * *

Olan: Mr. Block, Illona would like to know if she can bring fruit for the Valentine’s party?

Marvin: Mr. Stone, fruit would be lovely. Red fruits would be on theme, but no pressure.

Olan: Apples, strawberries, raspberries. Am I missing any red fruits?

Marvin: Cherries and cranberries but most kids aren’t fans. And by kids I mean me. Except for cherry chapstick. ??

Olan: No cherries or cranberries for Mr. Block. Got it.

Marvin: You have to stop calling me Mr. Block.

Olan: Why?

Marvin: It makes me hard.

Olan: Sorry Mr. Block. ??

I’m not sure folks who don’t teach understand the magic of Valentine’s Day in kindergarten. For my students, the cards, stickers, temporary tattoos, and candy, all the candy, have nothing to do with romantic love. They symbolize friendship, community, and belonging. A day to exchange cheap cards, stale candy, and heartfelt smiles to celebrate the little classroom family we’ve become.

The children pass out store-bought cards with silly jokes in the morning, leaving bags decorated with puffy hearts, cupids, and rainbow stickers to sit on the windowsill. I fill our day with stories and activities about all types of love. Romantic (kissing, ew!), platonic (friends), and familial (family, pets, etc.) love are discussed, and I do believe, even at five, they understand the nuances.

Toward the end of the day, the festivities begin in earnest. The excitement bubbles and bursts from their tiny faces. This resembles a birthday party, but we’re celebrating everyone, not a single friend. Cards opened, jokes read and laughed at, candy licked, faces smeared and sticky, and temporary tattoos applied at the sink encompass our party. By most adult standards, our celebration is beyond basic, but to these kids, it’s a memory they’ll cherish for a long time.

---