needed to hurry the beast along, I sighed and stood. “Mrs. Davis wanted to be with you guys the first week of school, but then it’ll be a sub. She’ll be back around Thanksgiving.” I patted Bella’s head as I walked from the room.
Talking about Mrs. Davis’s impending maternity leave just caused the stress that I was already feeling to magnify. We hadn’t found a long-term sub, and we were days away from needing one. Living on a small island was great for ambiance, but it was bad for trying to find a qualified substitute teacher.
Tag was out of his room and sitting at the table when I walked into the kitchen. He had his headphones on and was watching some video on his phone. I wanted to pull the headphones from his ears and demand that he turn his phone off, but I knew he would fight me.
And right now, I was fighting my own battles. I’d focus on Tag’s after school started. Then, I could give him my full attention.
“Good morning,” I sang out, hoping that if I made my greeting sound exciting, he would feel the same.
But that plan fell flat. He just grunted and shifted so he was no longer facing me.
I tried to remain positive as I headed to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. The hazelnut smell wafted up and tickled my nose. Once I added a splash of creamer, I leaned against the countertop and sipped on the warm liquid. It filled my mouth and warmed my body as it went down. And for a moment, I wasn’t Shari, the mom. For a moment, I could let go of the stress that came from having a preteen. Right here, right now, I was me. And I was ready to be me for just a little while longer.
If only that feeling had lasted the remainder of the morning. But after getting lunches packed, rounding up my work supplies, and ushering the kids into the car, the warmth that had once filled my body had turned to ice.
The stress returned as I drove the streets of Magnolia on my way to the elementary school. So much so that I had to take in a few deep breaths to ground me.
I parked off to the side, and as soon as I pulled out the keys, Bella and Tag had their doors open and were out of the car before I could say anything. I watched as they shouldered their backpacks and sprinted up the sidewalk toward the doors. I thought about calling them back but then decided against it.
I had enough on my plate to worry about. And, inside the school, the teachers would help keep an eye on them until school started.
With my papers and briefcase in hand, I headed toward the front doors. My heels clicked on the sidewalk, and the soft fall air surrounded me and caused my hair to tickle my nose. I wiggled my nose a few times, hoping to stop the sensation, but it didn’t work, so I just quickened my pace.
When I got in the office, Cassidy was there. She had the phone pinched between her cheek and shoulder. I waved at her, and she nodded in acknowledgment but then returned to her conversation. First day of school and the phones were already buzzing. I felt for Cassidy. She was our first line of defense, and I knew she took the brunt of the angry calls.
When I got into my office, I set my bag and papers down on my desk and slipped off my suit coat. I draped it on the back of my chair and took in a deep breath. Today was the start of my new life. With my job in full force and Craig officially gone, this was what the majority of my life was going to be. It felt terrifying, and yet at the same time, it felt like a giant weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.
If I could get through today, I was going to be okay.
I was sure of it.
I grabbed my mug and headed out of my office and over to the small coffee machine that was set up in the back corner. Just as I pulled out the pot, my gaze drifted over to Kari’s office. She was sitting at her desk and nodding to a man sitting with his back to me. I furrowed my brow as I straightened, still holding the pot in