Page 29 of Regaining Integrity

“I think I could figure something out.” I rub my jaw, glad it isn’t smarting because of our rule.

“And quit hurting others,” he growls as he kicks off his four-wheeler and puts his hat back on. “Now, let’s get back to work.”

“Yes, sir.” With a salute, we get back to work silently. We repair the fence side by side until we finish, just as the fall sun starts to set.

We’re loading the tools when an approaching four-wheeler causes me to look up. Ridge comes over the hill and stops next to us. His saddened expression causes concern to ripple through me.

“What’s the matter, bud?” Will is the first to his son. Shaking his helmeted head, I catch Ridge’s sniffle.

“Yeah, what’s up, Ridge?” I join father and son, placing my hand on his shoulder in comfort.

“Did something happen at school?” Will continues while waiting for the answer.

“Yeah.” I can tell he wants to wipe his nose, but his helmet stops him.

“What happened?” Will pushes.

“Everything was fine until last period.” He practically groans.

My blood instantly chills. The last period for Ridge is math, which means it has something to do with Angie. My nephew has a tender heart like his grandma, so it isn’t hard for something to upset him.

“What happened in last period?” Will and I share a look over Ridge’s head. I’m sure I would be getting another beating from him just as soon as we’re alone again.

“Nothing reallyhappened. Ms. Reece wasn’t in a very good mood. She was kind of mean toward all of us, but she did say it wasn’t our fault. She just had a bad weekend. I always like going to math, but today …”

He trails off as my brother’s glare deepens before meeting my gaze. His words say, “It’s going to be okay,” while his eyes sayfix this shit.

“How do you know?” Ridge quips.

“Because I’m going to make it all better, bud.” I mean those words. I’m going to make this up to Ridge by making his teacher happy again, and I’ll make this up to Angie by proving to her I’m not the guy she thinks I am.

Chapter Sixteen

Angelica

My face hurts. “Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your daughter with me. I love having Jessie in class. She’s a joy.”

It may sound like a rehearsed, overused line most teachers use when talking to their students’ parents, but I mean every word. I love the opportunity I get to spend with every young mind who comes through my classroom doors.

Open house night is always one of my favorites. I get a chance to meet and establish a working relationship with the parents. It also shows how much of a small-town Centennial is since I see several familiar faces.

It also saddens me when some parents don’t show up. It’s one night out of the year. I understand some work odd hours, but this is a regular event most parents know about well before school starts, and numerous reminders are sent home as it gets closer.

The night is drawing closer to being over. I spent a lot of time making sure my room met the parents’ expectations. I write up samples of the equations we’re working on while ensuring that beginning-of-the-year assessments are done and ready to hand over to the parents in person, explaining that this is just a starting point for their child.

I love watching the pride each parent shows in their children. Sure, some don’t score the highest, but I’m always willing to talk to the parents about how to help the kids improve their scores before midterms. I could wait for parent-teacher conferences, but it’s never too early to talk to the parents about getting extra help.

I wave to Jessie and her family as they walk out. I have seen just about every one of my students with one or both of their parents tonight.

Turning to my desk, I thumb through the last of the assessments I still have. Ridge’s test is on the top of the list. I’m surprised I haven’t seen him yet. Ranch work keeps them busy most of the day, but his parents take his education seriously.

Leaving the papers, I grab the box of cookies I bought from Patience this morning and set a few more out. Whatever leftovers I have will go home with me to eat my feelings. Sunday and Monday, I allowed myself to be lost in anger and despair. I would have continued on like that if it weren’t for my students.

Monday night, I slapped the crap out of myself to snap out of it. I came to work Tuesday morning ready to take on the world again. I was done with my parking lot duty for the time being, switching to bus duty where I knew I wouldn’t be seeing Chase any time soon.

I know running away from seeing him again isn’t the answer, but it works for me.

My room is silent compared to the hallway outside. Students guide their parents from classroom to classroom while stopping at their lockers to show them how to open them and how they have them decorated.

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