Page 125 of The ABCs of You & Me

“So corn characters or buildings?”

I watch him think. It looks as if he’s building the entire world in his mind. “I think corn characters.”

“And would they all be full cobs?”

His face somehow scrunches even more, his lips moving this way than that. “Do you think a corn cob could be a firefighter?”

Well, no.“Do you?”

“I would worry they’d pop.” He lifts his hand and spreads his fingers, making popping sounds.

I can’t hold the laugh in anymore. “It’s kind of a disturbing world you’re creating, Pete.”

“Maybe a city made of corn instead.”

“But what happens if it gets hot? Would houses start popping?”

“Miss Hore?”

“Mmhmm?”

“What’s a cornucopia?”

“It’s a big horn full of fruits and vegetables. Usually they’re common around Thanksgiving.”

“So… there’s no corn?”

“Well, there could be corn inside.”

“I like our idea more.”

“Me too,” I agree. “Way more interesting.”

After dropping Pete back off, I catch a glimpse of Foster in another classroom. I pause to watch as he listens to the student he’s sitting with. She seems a bit agitated, but he remains calm taking everything in stride. Eventually, the student seems to collect herself and her head bends as she begins writing something, Foster’s lips moving the whole time, occasionally pointing at something on the page.

He’s well regarded by the teachers and his fellow EAs in this school. Sometimes I worry he’ll give in to the naysayers. Pursue something he’s not passionate about just to get them off his back. He’s capable of being whatever he wants to be—aside from anything involving blood, of course. But he’s doing what he should be doing, what he was born to be doing. I believe that deep in my soul.

People like to talk about how professional athletes and artists have a gift, but I see that whenever I see Foster with his students. The kind of patience he has and his ability to take everything in turn isn’t taught, it is something he was born with.

“Miss Hore?” Principal Wong comes around the corner, and I jump.

“Oh,” I lay my hand on my chest, laughing nervously. “I didn’t hear you coming.”

She smiles at me. “I’ve perfected a stealth approach. Can I help you with something?”

I glance once more at Foster. “No, I was dropping Pete off and procrastinating before I have a call with my supervisor.”

“He’s very good at calming nerves,” Principal Wong says when she sees who I was looking at.

This is incredibly unprofessional of me. We don’t kiss or touch here. We still have lunch together every day, but that’s as intimate as we are. And now the principal has caught me practically drooling all over the floor while staring at my boyfriend mid-day.My boyfriend.

“That he is. Anyway, I’m going to take that call. I’ll see you later, Principal Wong.”

“Sophie,” she says as I’m about to round the corner. I turn back slowly, like a kid about to be reprimanded. “Good luck with your call.” The smile she’s sending my way is big, bright, and real.

“Thank you,” I croak before scurrying back to my broom closet.

I’m in shock as I hang up the phone. Did Principal Wong know what the call was about? Is that why she was smiling at me like that?

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