Page 32 of Yes No Maybe

“Tell me about your wedding plans. Dean says you’re holding off for now?”

“We’re taking our time. Um, when did you talk to Dean?”

“During our Teams meeting about his project last week. I think we discussed his acting sabbatical more than his project.”

“Right, of course. He’s been very busy.” Last night’s sting resurfaces, with my call to him still unanswered.

She eyes my hands, resting on my crossed thigh, and looks puzzled. “Everything alright between you two?”

Game face, Rowan.“Yes, of course. I forgot my ring this morning. I haven’t gotten used to wearing it yet… I’ve started a wedding binder. It’s full of ideas to talk about when he gets back.”

“The wedding will be lovely, I’m sure. Dean’s such a generous soul.”

Generous?It’s another word that feels like it has a double meaning. Yes, Dean’s a generous person, but of all the adjectives one could use to describe him, why pick that one?Is he generous for loving a woman like me? Generous for still wanting to marry me after I screwed up his proposal?

With a quiet breath, I disregard my oversensitivity. “He is, thanks.”

“Well, I doubt your classroom project is about weddings. Tell me…” She leans back in her soft, white leather chair like I’m meant to blow her away. “How do you plan on inspiring your students this year?”

I don’t know.

“Um, well… It’s very exciting.”

“I’m sure it is.” She gives me a look that suggests that her certainty is fading.

“It is.” I dig in my oversized bag to buy time. I remember something about exploring life philosophies andA Tale of Two Cities, but a glance at her bulletin board of trite sayings muddles my idea. My hand falls onto a book, and I pull it out.

Only it’s notA Tale of Two Cities.My fingers trace the artsy cover of Jack’s book. “The only way toreallylive in a story is… to read for pleasure. My Inspiration Project is to strengthen my students’ love for reading so it becomes a lifelong habit. What better way to do that than to give them a choice?”

She sits up. “A choice?”

“Yes. They’ll decide what to read, and I’ll help them apply their critical thinking skills to whatever they choose. No more dead white guys or women hunting for husbands. No more antiquated language or outdated themes… unless that’s what they want. Instead, they’ll study heroes outside the white, male, or hetero boxes of classic lit. They can read banned books, modern books, even cheesy romances.”

I hold up Jack’s book. “To set the example, I’ll read this.”

Her porcelain face tilts with surprise. “That book isn’t out yet.”

“It’s an ARC,” I announce proudly, hoping it might earn me extra points. “Are you a Jack Graham fan?”

Her eyes dart to a bookshelf where three of his books fill the space between her high school swimming trophies.Cape Moonis upside down, tempting me to set it right.

“You could say that,” she answers slowly. “This is interesting. You want to give them more autonomy. Liberate them from the oppression of high school English classes.”

“Um, sure. Testing their literary skills against their choices will motivate them, I think.”

“Yes, but how will you grade them? What about their AP exams?”

“They’re juniors and seniors. They’ve already read enough classics to ace the AP exam’s open-ended essay. But we’ll study the same concepts that’ll ensure they score well on the test. As for the classroom…” I take a cleansing breath, the idea forming into something beautifully, irritatingly cogent in my head. “It’ll be like a Montessori approach to an English class—the students will guide the learning. The assignments will be based on what they want to learn.”

I want her to hate the idea, to tell me—no, order me—to come up with something else. My excuses are primed and ready. It’s the wedding… the new house… the foster child living with me soon…I’ve overextended myself, Evelyn. Please give me more time…everything I should’ve said initially.

“Rowan, this is… inspired. It’s so simple and yet so engaging and diverse. Our main goal here is to develop lifelong learners. Your idea does that. You have my full support.”

“Oh, thanks, Evelyn.”

“I will need it in writing, though, with a semester-long plan.”

“Of course.”

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