earlier,” Maggie explained. “The kids have had their limit of sitting still and being quiet. This will give them a chance to play for a bit.”
“Anyone here who could help me unload the cradle?” Roy asked.
“The cradle?” I repeated. “You brought the cradle?”
Maggie nodded. “If you remember, Mark gave it to us. I loved having it, but I had the strongest feeling that it was never meant for Roy and me. I think he meant it for the two of you.”
Instant emotion clouded my eyes and I looked toward the heavens. That very morning I’d asked God for a sign that Mark would return to me. He’d sent me one.
He brought the cradle back to me.
I loved being a teacher. It was because of my inability to have my own that I’d chosen a profession that would involve children. Being with them, all so eager to learn, their young minds open and curious, filled me with contentment. They arrived with their backpacks and lunch bags and for the most part they came with big smiles. The first couple days of school a few cried, afraid to leave their mothers, but over the last couple of months they’d quickly adapted.
I loved them and tried not to think about the fact that unless I was able to adopt I’d never have children of my own. These little ones would be my family. Their sweet faces would be enough to satisfy me. I did want a family of my own, and more and more I realized I wanted it with Nick.
For my own mental health I’d stopped following him on Facebook. I wouldn’t allow myself to think about Nick. I couldn’t let my mind drift to him; otherwise, I’d fight off the temptation to contact him myself. Thank goodness he’d talked me out of waiting six months. Four months was going to kill me as it was. These were the longest months of my life.
Now that we were into the second month of school, the class had settled into a routine. We had a few minor incidents that are common with kindergartners. Zack brought his pet frog to school and Hoppy escaped before I realized we had an amphibian in the classroom. The result was a mad rush to rescue Hoppy—not a very original pet name—before Zack had a meltdown. Mason arrived to school with his pockets loaded down with his favorite rocks that were so heavy his pants fell down to his ankles in the lunch line. The poor boy was mortified.
My attention during the day was preoccupied with the kindergarten class. It was the evenings that I found most difficult. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about Nick. I did everything I could think of to keep busy. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a lot of success. Thoughts of him were constantly with me. He’d seemed so certain his feelings for me wouldn’t change. Mine certainly hadn’t.
I hungered for a look at him. A single peek, just so I’d get a read on how things were going. One day after school I’d driven past the house hoping for a glimpse of him. Not a good idea, I know, but I was curious. I didn’t see him nor was there any evidence of Elvis. The sawhorses that had been set in front of the house in a make-shift work area were gone as well.
Although it’d been just a few seconds to look, it seemed to me the house looked vacant. I didn’t know what to think if he’d left town. Because I was curious, I contacted Dana and asked her to check it out.
Friday afternoon after school had been dismissed for the day, I noticed I had a voice message from Dana.
“Hey, Emily, I asked around the neighborhood and learned that Nick’s moved out of the house. Do you want me to ask him again if he’s interested in selling? I can if you want, but from our last discussion my guess is that he wants to hold on to the property.”
I listened to the message a second time, wanting to make sure I heard her correctly. When Dana confirmed that Nick no longer lived at the house, I reached out and took hold of the edge of my desk. Cold chills ran down my spine and I felt the sudden need to sit down. Sinking into the chair, I covered my face with both hands as my head and my heart spiraled downward.
He’d left.
I didn’t know what that