glad the roads are clear. I know what can happen when they’re not this time of year. “We got in before they could get bad, but I…” I was worried about you. “I was hoping they’d be okay when you had to travel.”
Shaking my head at myself, I focus all my attention on my playdate with Ainsley. Every Sunday we do this—dolls, house, pretend bake, tea party, anything just to blow off steam and have fun. Later we’ll watch a movie and eat junk food and just enjoy each other’s company until bedtime.
East scoots forward. “Want anything from the kitchen? I’m going to grab a water.”
I force a smile as I look up at him, shaking my head. “I’m okay. Thanks.” He nods once and walks away, not seeing the twitch of my lips as they fall into a frown.
“I was worried about you,” I whisper audibly, brushing hair behind my ear. I roll my shoulders back and pick up the Barbie closest to me and hold her up. “What do you think, Nugget? Leopard print mini-skirt, or floral maxi dress?”
Ainsley points to a pair of denim jeans.
“Or that.”
I get to work dressing the doll.
The day is spent in silence.
Chapter Ten
I spend Monday’s lunch period crying in my car. Three tissues stained with off brand foundation and cheap mascara later, and an incoherent phone call to Jenna, I’m no better off. My eyes are red, my cheeks are flushed, and I can barely catch my breath. All I can think is, what am I going to do now?
Thinking back to the first half of my day, I consider all the ways I could have done it different. Like not going off on Harris and saying the administration shouldn’t have hired her. Or telling her that she had no right to judge my choices in Ainsley’s education because she wasn’t part of the decision-making process. Does she even have kids? She doesn’t know what’s best for them. If her daughter were in Ainsley’s shoes, she’d be sure to use her authority for good rather than self-righteous evil.
Bitch. She’s a total bitch just like Jenna said. And I had to bite my tongue hard to refrain from calling her as much when she said I had no right to speak to her the way I did. As an employee, I could agree. As a parent, not so much. But she didn’t care.
I have two options now. Go back inside and finish my day or go home and say screw it. Harris all but told me I was done. “Perhaps it’s best you found somewhere else to finish your student teaching.”
And that was it.
She smiled and walked out.
I know I should have walked out too, gotten in my car and gone home with a pint of edible cookie dough, but I didn’t want her to see me break. So, I went back to the class I was assigned to and pushed through until lunch. Then I broke down.
Hands shaking, I open the car door and take a deep breath. Tonight, I’ll speak to my adviser and figure out what can be done so I can graduate on time. If I have to wait another semester, I may pull out all of my hair. I’m already behind on my degree since taking time off to care for Ainsley, and now I need to finish it for her. For us—to get a steady job and finances.
The rest of the day goes as good as it can. I say what I need to in class, grade what I’m told to, and don’t interact more than necessary. I put a smile on my face when I pass by students and coworkers and try not to shove my afternoon yogurt in Karen’s face when she smirks at my blotchy expression.
When the last bell rings and the halls empty of students, I breathe easier from the fa?ade suffocating me. Evie makes sure I’m okay after hearing what happened, and Diane brushes my arm when I tell her I won’t be back.
As soon as I bring Ainsley home, I order Chinese for dinner despite the probable shitty paycheck I’m bound to receive soon. Right now, all I care about is sweet and sour chicken, fried dumplings, and stir fry.
I’m surprised when the door opens as I clean up the kitchen, and I hear Easton talk to Ainsley in the living room. As I begin putting the leftover boxes of food into the fridge, he walks in with arched brows. I