Page 18 of Here and Now
Oh, look, you’re alive. Is the new time okay?
Of course I’m fine with it, I would never deny your daughter a chance to cheer. Talk to you idiots later, I have to put out fires at work.
Lachlan
Leave that to the professionals.
Everett
If you know of any of those, please share their names.
Oh, Lachlan is going to love that one. I put my phone on the charger, knowing that this conversation is going to take a turn for the worse, and grab my laptop.
I’m supposed to be on the lake, not caring about any of these emails, but there are four marked URGENT. Which ... well, as much as I’d like to pretend I don’t care—I do.
Mr. Anderson,
I’m writing to let you know that I will not be returning next year. I know I previously committed, however, things have changed and this is my official resignation.
Sincerely,
Megan Hunt
Of course the head of the fucking English department just quit.
I open the next email.
Mr. Anderson,
Please find attached my request for my son’s schedule. As you know, Sloane is very gifted, but requires a certain order to his subjects to be successful. I look forward to your care and attention to this requirement.
Best,
Jennifer Sanders
Oh, yeah, like that’s going to happen. I keep going. Some are from parents, a few teachers asking for specific room assignments or other ridiculous things. When I was pretty much forced to take this position, I had no clue what I was in for. I’d taught for six years and the superintendent came to me, asking me to apply for his position since I was already certified. I laughed, thought it was ridiculous, but agreed because he wasa friend.
I never in a million years thought I’d actually get it.
However, with my military background and the fact that I know this town like I know myself, it hasn’t been that bad.
Until I get stupid emails like these.
I reply to the few that don’t require much thought and then close my laptop. While I’m not in Michigan, I do have access to fishing, and that’s what my plan is for the day.
I grab my pole, ready to be out on the water, even if it’s just the river, when there’s a knock at my door.
That’s fucking weird.
I walk over, yanking the door open to find Ethan and Kai.
“What the ... ?” I stop myself before I finish that one.
“Hey, Uncle Miles.”
“Ethan . . .”
“I’m playing with Kai today, and I told him that you live real close, so I had to prove it.”
