𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 her family behind, 𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐒 accepts her dream job in Providence, Rhode Island. Starting her work as a kindergarten teacher, she takes sympathy for a girl named Morrigan, who struggled with her schooling more than most. Re...
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"Ugh, even his name sounds sexy!"
"Dora!" I screech, my face flushing, "He's the parent of a student. I don't even think I can legally agree with you!"
"Sure you can. I won't tell anyone-"
"I haven't even met him yet, so shush. Besides, if I go into this thinking about him then I won't be able to focus on his daughter. And the meeting is to help her."
I press my phone between my shoulder and ear. Reaching into my bag, I pull out my car keys and unlock the door. Pulling it open, I grab my phone again.
"Okay, this meeting is in an hour and I need to get some coffee, so I'll have to let you go."
Endora whines on the other side of the phone.
"But it's only 2:30!"
"It's 5:30 here, remember?"
"Ugh! Why did you have to move so far away?"
"Oh, I don't know. To spite you?"
"I wouldn't put it past you, flower."
I laugh, "Why do you still call me that?"
"Because you hate it."
"Bye Dora."
"Bye flow-"
I hang up before she can finish. Getting into my car, I start the engine. Nervous would be an understatement for how I was feeling about this. I know I've cleared it with the principal, but meeting with a parent outside of a school setting felt so... wrong.
I shake my head, clearing all the thoughts as I pull out of the school parking lot.
Over the last month of teaching, coffee has been my go-to for waking up early and staying up late to work more. Sure it will catch up to me sometimes, but I'm hoping it hits around Thanksgiving break where I can just sleep for 18 hours a day.
I pull into a cafe parking lot, jump out of my car, and head inside.
The smell of fresh grounds and floral tones come in waves. It reminds me so much of walking into my mother's home if only it smelt floral waves with coffee tones.
I head up to the counter, grabbing my wallet from my bag.
"Hi! Can I get a 24-ounce lavender latte with oat milk, please?"
The kid behind the counter nods, quickly entering it into their computer.
"Is that all?"
I think for a moment, looking over to the baked display counter.
"And then can I get a chocolate croissant and a chocolate chip cookie? Then that's all!"
I hand them a 20, letting them keep the change. I head over to the next counter to wait. I look down at my outfit. It was what I wrote to class today, a simple pair of flared jeans and a t-shirt of my mom's shop logo. I pull at the shirt a bit, trying to give it more room around my chest. I do not need Morrigan's father seeing my boob sweat.
