Page 56 of The Friend Game

“Hannah,” George gives me a sympathetic smile, “I’m sorry. I know I’m putting you in a difficult position. Perhaps I never should’ve hiredyou in the first place. It was rather selfish of me, I suppose, but to be frank, I’ve grown tired of catering to the board’s every whim. This quiet act of rebellion made me feel as if I actually had some control over the goings on at my own school. Still, lying to Luke has left me feeling guilty too. I tell myself it’s for his own good, that it’s better for him not to be in the middle—but am I simply looking for an excuse for my bad behavior?” He sighs, looking weary and worn down. “I hope that’s not the case. I certainly don’t take lying to Luke lightly. However, when I look at you, Hannah, I see your talents as an art teacher and how you’re reaching these students and making them feel seen.” His eyes get a little misty. “To tell you the truth, it makes me think of the parable of the talents. Are you familiar with it?”

“You mean the one about the man who left each of his servants talents, and when he came back one had made ten more, another had made five more, and the last had hidden his talent in fear?”

“That’s the one,” he says with a smile of satisfaction. “Hannah, you’ve been given a talent, not of the monetary kind of course,” he interjects with a laugh, “but rather a gifting. You are a gifted teacher and artist, and I would hate to see you go back to hiding that gifting instead of using it to bless others.”

“I wouldn’t say I washidingmy gifting,” I say, feeling a little salty about this phrasing.

“Oh really? Tell me, why is it that you don’t throw pottery anymore?”

I gape at him. “How did you know I’d stopped?”

He shrugs. “Luke may have mentioned it to me when he was practicing his speech to the elder team.”

“What speech to the elder team?”

“The one he gave them practically begging them to gift the pottery wheel and kiln to the school. They wanted to sell it.”

“What?” My hand flutters to my heart like it has to hold it in place before it beats out of my chest. “He had to beg them?”

“Indeed, he did,” George says jovially. “But he did so quite happily. The man is quite taken with you, Hannah.”

Quite taken with me? I bite back a smile and command myself not to squeal in the principal’s presence. I can’t help the little dance my feet do under the desk, though. I’ve got happy feet–just like that penguin from the movie. Because Luke is taken with me! Squee!

“I feel as if we both have some things to think about,” he goes on, apparently oblivious to the state of elation he’s put me in. I’ll be humming “I Feel Pretty” fromWestside Storyfor the restof the day.

Which is totally not a Christmas carol.

“I guess we do,” I agree. “But George, no matter what, I want you to know that I appreciate your belief in me and your support of me in my role as Grace Canyon’s art teacher.”

“You make it easy to support you, my dear,” he replies without missing a beat. And now I’m the one blinking away tears. Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. “I’ll see you later at the chapel service?”

“Of course,” I agree, standing up to take my leave.

I came into George’s office fully prepared to make him see things my way, but as I walk out I’m left wondering how I can see things God’s way. Perhaps I’ve been too self-focused, thinking only about how my decisions will affect me.Seek me first,that’s what Jesus said in the Bible.

If I’m honest, I don’t think I’ve done that very well for quite some time now. So as I reach my empty classroom, I sit down at my desk and, for the first time since I accepted this job, I fold my hands and ask God what He wants from me.

The answer doesn’t come in a burning bush or a clap of thunder, nor is it particularly specific, but it is a Biblical truth that nonetheless settles over my soul calling me to live a life pleasing to God. It’s the words from Micah 6:8–“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lordrequire of you? To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humblywith your God.”

Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God.

Seems like a good place to start.

And I think I have a plan to do just that.

Chapter 22

I SHOW UP on extra early on the first day back from break ready to put my plan into action. I haven’t told Luke the truth yet, but that’s only because I think this conversation needs to be done in person. Which is a bit tricky considering we’re trying to not be alone together. Still, I’ve decided I’m going to do it before school today. In my classroom. With the door closed so no one overhears. But also with six feet between us, so if anyone did happen upon us alone, our interaction would look purely friendly.

Plus, as an added bonus, six feet of distance supposedly helps stop the spread of air-borne illnesses.

As does not kissing one another.

So, at least there’s that positive.

Anyway, I’ve sent him a very professional email requesting his presence to discuss something with the art show, so it’s all quite above board.

Also I prepared another speech because it's actually quite addicting, speech-writing. If I hadn’t just determined that my calling is teaching art I’d say that I missed my calling as an orator. But anyway…My basic plan is thus: tell Luke that I don’t have the teacher certification the board requires, but then, rather than letting him feel compelled to tell the board, I’m going to tell them. That’s right.I’mgoing to tell the board the truth. And then I’m going to go back to Jill’s original plan and ask them to let me keep my position based on a whole list of my qualifications. Plus I’ll add the stipulation that if they let me keep the job, I’ll take classes working toward obtaining my teacher certification.

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