Page 52 of Teacher of the Year

My chest feels like warm apple butter syrup, and I almost forget about the subzero temperature. I read his message again because, oh my gosh. Pulling the card up to my face, I give the front, inside, and back a little peck. I skip upstairs, peel off my coat, begin to get comfortable for the evening, and pull out my phone.

Marvin: You’re sneaky.

Olan: You’re sexy. I can’t stop thinking about you.

Marvin: I thought I was adorable?

Olan: OK, both.

Marvin: Well I have a card for you too. Maybe you should come get it?

Olan: Can’t tonight. Heading out on a daddy date with Illona.

Marvin: That is the sweetest. Have fun and I’ll give it to you soon.

Olan: Give what to me soon? ??

Marvin: The CARD. But also, yes, please.

Chapter18

Marvin: FYI the conference mail is going out this morning.

Olan: Thanks for the heads up. I want an exemplary slot.

Marvin: You definitely want a good slot.

Olan: Now who’s being naughty?

Marvin: Only with you. ??

Since the night at his house almost two weeks ago, Olan and I text frequently, sometimes multiple times a day. Our communication has taken a first-class ticket out of the friend zone straight to Sexytown. We haven’t spent time alone since that night, and frankly, all the stolen glances at school and texts in the evenings have my body feeling like a volcano about to erupt. I worry about saving all his texts. They feel like evidence someone could use against me, but also, they provide immense pleasure and have become an integral part of my spank bank.

Olan: You up?

Marvin: Barely.

Olan: I can’t stop thinking about you. Your lips around my dick.

Marvin: Well now I’m definitely up.

It’s becoming more and more clear, regardless of how I feel about dating, there’s no fighting what’s happening with Olan. Thinking about him makes my insides feel like jelly. I am so ready for more kissing, more touching, more of the steamy stuff, and based on the nature of his texts, Olan concurs. Between his commitments with Illona, meetings, and my kindergarten planning, plus preparing for the Teacher of the Year interview and school visit, our relationship has been confined to cell phones and sneaking looks at pickup.

With Valentine’s Day over, I begin to shift my focus to parent conferences because teaching means volleying from one event to the next. Scheduling of the conferences benefits from an online system that allows families to select their day and time. I simply send an email with a link, and they do the rest. Unfortunately, the rest of preparing and participating in the conferences feels more complicated.

Between culling through saved work, assessments, and portfolios and attempting to organize it all into some semblance of meaning, I’m typically scrambling to get everything ready on the actual days of conferences.

“Marvin, any conferences you need me to attend?” Kristi makes her rounds, checking in, and I truly do appreciate her wanting to help. In years past, I’ve had conferences with difficult situations to discuss, and having the guidance counselor attend makes a world of difference. Heavy topics can arise and Kristi’s presence and expertise are invaluable. Luckily, I don’t think she’s needed at any of my conferences this year.

“I’m actually all set this year but thank you for checking.”

“How are you holding up otherwise?”

Kristi views her job as not only looking out for the social-emotional well-being of the students but the staff too.

“I’m good, just ready for conferences to be over.”

“Well, I know families are thrilled to meet with you. How is Illona settling in?”

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