Page 21 of Sometimes You Fall

“Yeah, more money and a handsome man.” Gigi bounces her eyebrows. “Speaking of the cover model that came by here looking for you a few months ago, what do you plan on doing about him?”

“Cover model?” I ask, even though I’m fairly certain I know who she’s referring to.

“Oh yeah.” Gigi smirks. “That man belongs on the cover of those smutty books your mother and I read.”

“Mom!” my mother admonishes.

“What? You act like he wouldn’t sell thousands of books with that face and those muscles.” Gigi glances back at me. “And I’m going to guess he’s packing too.” She bounces her eyebrows and then holds her hands nearly a foot apart from one another. “Just tell me. Am I close?Bigger or smaller?”

Groaning, I stare up at the ceiling. “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”

***

“And this will be your office.” Alaina Bell, the principal of Carrington Cove Elementary, gestures for me to enter the office, where sunlight pours in through the open blinds. The box of décor I brought with me makes my arms ache, so I move toward the desk to set it down before gazing out the window, admiring the view of the campus.

The office is spacious, with a large mahogany desk sitting under the window. There are a few matching shelves on the wall to my left, along with two chairs with navy cushions for visiting parents and students. The walls are bare, but that’s an easy fix. Most importantly, it’s the fresh start I needed, and I’m grateful for it.

Turning to her, I say, “It’s perfect.”

“I’m glad you think so.” She lets out a deep breath. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you took this job, Scottie.”

“Part of me still can’t believe that I did, but it was the push I needed to leave Georgia.”

“I’m glad it worked out then. Finding a new administrator in the middle of the school year is tough, but our last assistant principal just wasn’t a good fit. I got a lot of complaints from staff and parents.”

“It happens, but I promise I’ll do whatever I can to keep fostering the culture and atmosphere that you’ve built here.”

“Our teachers need someone they can count on to support them. Discipline is harder than ever these days. These kids are dealing with issues at home and have access to information that is beyond anything you and I dealt with as kids.”

As a former teacher, I know what it is like to be in the classroom and the decision fatigue you battle every day. Teachers are the backbone of the schools, and my job now as an administrator is to help them make their lives easier any way I can. Getting my administration credential was a decision I didn’t make lightly, but once my divorce was final, I needed a way to financially support Chase and me on my own. I didn’twant to rely on Andrew for anything, especially since he’s already shown that he’s a lost cause in that respect.

“Believe me, I know. I saw some cases down in Georgia that would shock you.”

“Your experience is exactly what we need, and I’m really excited to work with you.”

“Same here,” I reply, feeling genuinely excited for the first time in a long time.

Alaina is a few years older than me, but I remember her from our high school days. She was always friendly and one of those girls who could hang out with any group. She wasn’t popular, but she was well-known. For the past five years, she’s been the head principal of Carrington Cove Elementary, and now she’s essentially my new boss.

“Okay, well I’ll let you get settled before the teachers start arriving. I’ll introduce you officially at the staff meeting this Wednesday, but I’m sending out an email to the staff shortly.”

“Sounds great.”

Alaina leaves my office and I turn back to the box that holds my degrees and credentials, pieces of paper that I may never have earned if I hadn’t had Chase. As if he knew I was thinking about him, my phone chimes in my purse with the sound of a text message. When I see my son’s name on the screen, I can’t help but brace myself for what he’s going to say.

Chase:This school is so small, but my science teacher is cool.

Smiling, I type out a response.

Me:It is small, but that means you’ll become close with your classmates.

Chase:I already met a few of the guys on the baseball team.

Me:I’m excited for you, honey.

Chase:Gotta go, Mom. Next class is about to start.

Me:Love you. Have a good day.

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