didn’t speak.
Myrna took a step forward. “Darlene, this is Dave, Cara’s father.”
There was no mistaking where Cara got those amazing eyes. Dave looked to be about Darlene’s age, late thirties. His light brown hair was cut short, his face clean-shaven. As he approached them, his cologne was a couple of feet ahead of him, a pleasant smell, and surprisingly not overbearing. He extended his hand.
“I’m Dave Schroeder.” He didn’t smile, and the handshake was brief.
“Nice to meet you.” Darlene folded her hands in front of her. “I think we’ve had a really good day.”
Cara was instantly in front of Darlene, tugging on her wedding ring. Hard.
“Oh dear,” Myrna mumbled as she took a step toward Cara.
“No, honey, I’m afraid it’s stuck on my finger at the moment.” Darlene tried to ease her hand away. Cara pulled harder on Darlene’s ring until Darlene could feel the points from the small diamonds on her band digging into her finger. Any harder and the girl was going to draw blood. She tugged back, but Cara began to groan, yanking harder on the ring.
Dave put a firm hand on Cara’s arm. “Cara, no.” Then he narrowed his eyes at Myrna. “Didn’t anyone tell her about jewelry?” He cut his eyes toward Darlene, then refocused on getting Darlene’s hand free. “Cara, let go.”
It took several more forceful attempts before Darlene had her hand back. Dave didn’t say anything as he ushered Cara out to the car. Cara cried the whole way, looking back at Darlene several times.
“I’m so sorry,” Darlene said to Myrna after Cara and her father were out the door. “I was so careful all day long, and then . . .” She shook her head.
“These things will happen, dear.” Myrna raised her shoulders, then dropped them slowly. “But I’d probably try to get the ring off tonight if possible.” She grinned, but quickly her mouth curled under. “You are coming back, aren’t you?”
Darlene had never considered not coming back. “Of course.”
“Oh, good. We’ve run off a few teachers the first day.” Myrna pulled the curtains closed in the classroom, and Darlene helped Myrna push in the six chairs around the table. They were the only furniture in the large space. Darlene looked around, noting that the calming shade of baby blue on the walls matched her mood. The walls were also covered with drawings the children had done, giving the room a warm and fuzzy feel. Then she noticed a sign in the midst of all the artwork that she hadn’t noticed before.
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. Isaiah 54:13.
It brought a smile to her face. At a time when schools were eliminating God from the classrooms, Darlene was glad to see that The Evans School didn’t fall into that category.
“I’m looking forward to working with Cara,” Darlene said, as much to herself as to Myrna. Maybe Darlene could make a difference, help Cara a little bit. Her own children didn’t seem to need her as much these days, except to prepare food and clean their clothes. And maybe Cara didn’t really need her either, but being here was a welcome change, and she was going to be the best teacher’s aide she could.
After Darlene left the building, she was glad she’d be home in only five minutes. Plenty of time to make dinner and throw a load of clothes in the washing machine. Later this evening she’d try to finish Layla’s dress. The alterations weren’t anything Darlene couldn’t handle, but fear of ruining such an expensive gown had caused her hands to tremble more than once. She’d be glad to get it back to Layla.
When she pulled into the driveway, she saw Ansley walking from the chicken coop with a smile stretched across her face.
“I bet I know what you’re smiling about,” Darlene said as she closed the car door.
“Yep! Look!” Ansley held out both hands. “Two eggs.”
“That’s great, sweetie.” She wrapped an arm around her daughter. “Guess I better cook something that needs eggs, huh?”
Ansley stopped and frowned. “We can’t eat these until after Dad sees them.”
Darlene stifled a grin as she nodded. “Okay. Besides, I think I’m going to make beef and cheddar casserole, and that doesn’t call for any eggs.”
“How was your first day of work?” Ansley walked in the front door and held it open for Darlene. “Are you going to be cranky at night now like Dad?”
“Dad isn’t cranky. He’s just . .