Page 40 of Home Field Advantage
April reaches across the table, taking my hands in hers. I lookfrom her to where our hands connect, and I wonder if she feels how clammy and shaky they are from this entire meeting.
“I appreciate that so much, Miss Barlow.”
“Please, you can call me Poppy.”
“Poppy.” She nods. “I’m so happy I could make it into town for this meeting. In an effort for full transparency…” She pauses, looking to Dallas for confirmation that she can continue. He nods. “Wearedivorced. Dallas and Sage are here in Bluestone Lakes because I took a job opportunity in the city. But it also keeps me away from my daughter temporarily.” I can feel the emotions building with each word out of her mouth. “It’s another reason I was so nervous about this change for my girl.”
“Wow. I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
She shakes her head. “There’s no need to be sorry. I just wanted you to know about her life outside of school. I wanted to give you a little background about our situation. I won’t be able to make many meetings or school functions.”
I nod in understanding. “If it’s okay with you, I can keep you in the loop on our classroom app.” I slide the paper with the login information for both of them. “Normally, we only see one parent in it, but I’m happy to add you so you know what’s happening with updates and even some photos I take in class and send through the app every so often.”
“That would be…amazing. Really amazing, Poppy.”
“And this is how we can get in touch with you?” Dallas asks quickly.
His question throws me off guard. Does he want to get in touch with me? I mean, it’s bad enough that he knows where I live. But this? I’m not sure how I feel about that.
“Yes. And my number is on the papers you received, too.” I want to palm my face because why did I just tell him about my phone number? “Do you have any questions for me?” I ask, clearing my throat.
April shakes her head. “This covers it for now.” She chuckles. “I’ll probably have one at some point, but right now I’m just happy to hear her first few days were great.”
Offering her a smile, I briefly review the remaining topics I wanted to discuss from my meeting list. I mostly keep eye contact with April to avoid stumbling over my words. I already feel slightly better that I managed to address my entire list, even if it made me uncomfortable the whole time.
The classroom door opens, and Rachel drops Sage off, signaling me with a wave that she has to head out for the day.
Once Sage spots her mom, her eyes widen momentarily before she shouts, “Mommy!” and runs into her arms, where April sits.
“Hi, baby. Surprise!”
“You’re here. This really is the bestest day ever now.” Sage beams.
“Is it?”
Sage nods. “Daddy made me pancakes for breakfast before school. Then, I colored the mostepicpicture during drawing time. And Miss Rachel, let me pick a snack at the cafeteria just now on our way back from the library!”
April laughs. “That sounds like an epic day.”
Sage turns to face her dad. “Hi, Daddy. You met my favorite teacher, huh?”
Dallas smiles at his daughter before looking at me. I know I’m blushing at her compliment and Dallas’s picture-perfect smile. He stares at me for longer than I wish he would, which is unsettling but also makes goose bumps pebble across my skin.
“I did,” he replies.
That’s my cue. I need to stop looking at him and force myself to resist the pull of his eyes on me. My heart shouldn’t race uncontrollably at the mere sight of him. I should be able to breathe steadily, without the suffocating sensation of everything being trapped in my chest. I should not feel a fire in my gut, but ice cold on my skin.
“Thank you again for coming in today,” I practically chokeout, stacking my papers and going to my desk on the opposite side of the room. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Sage.”
“I can’t wait!” She fist-bumps the air.
“Want a bite to eat before I head back to the city, baby?” April asks her.
“Yes!”
April looks to Dallas. “I’ll drop her off after we eat if that works for you?”
He nods.
