Wild Ride - The Alternative Version (Book 2)

Chapter 14~Summer Vacation Arrives

By late Tuesday evening, the boys and I had gotten both coats of paint for Abbie's room complete. We all stood in the middle of the room and looked at our work, quite happy with ourselves, especially me. We were just that much closer to getting Abbie's room finished. Now we just have to wait until the paint dries, which should be dried by the time I get home later tonight.

Today was the day that Abbie finishes first grade and gets three months off for summer vacation. So, Elise and I made an agreement that since she's been waiting for this day quite anxiously, with a whole big countdown taking place on her calender and everything, we'd take her out to celebrate. I was to surprise her and pick her up from school, and then meet with Elise at the record label. Camryn had given her a ride this morning, so I'd be dropping them both off later. We'd take her out to eat and then just do whatever she wanted to do for the rest of the night. 

I was just pulling up to the school now, finding a place in the front parking lot. I got out of the car and walked into the building, going into the office where I signed Abbie out for dismissal. After that was done, I waited out in the hallway across from the office for her. Soon I heard the names of kids being called to be dismissed, Abbie's name was seventh. There were quite few kids being picked up today, probably because it was the last day of school. 

I saw Abbie coming down the hallway behind the six kids called before her, bouncing along happily. You could see the satisfaction written out over her little face that it was the last day of school and she doesn't have to step foot inside this building again for another three months. Then she looked up and spotted me and immediately looked surprised, probably she'd been thinking that Elise had gotten out of work early to come get her. She grinned widely and then shoved past the other kids and shot down the hallway towards me. Behind her, a teacher who'd been standing outside of her classroom door, watching the kids run through, yelled after her,

"Abigail Sullivan! How many times do I have to tell you, no running in the halls!!" 

Abbie yelled back over her shoulder, "Bye, Ms. Robinson, have a great summer!" I just shook my head, trying not to smile because I didn't want her to take that as encouragement. I had the feeling she wasn't sorry to be saying goodbye to Ms. Robinson for three months, either. 

Abbie launched herself at me when she got close enough, and I caught her and pulled her up into my arms. "Hey, squirt." I greeted her, kissing her forehead. "And just how many times has she told you not to run in the halls?" I arched and eyebrow at her.

"I dunno, like... a lot." She shrugged, thinking nothing of it.

"Abbie..." I sighed, shaking my head again.

"It's the last day of school. What are they gonna do? Make me stay in for recess?" She defended herself.

I couldn't stop myself from laughing at that one. "Oh, alright, I'll let it slide just this once since it's the last day of school. But starting next school year, you need to work on staying out of hallway trouble, are we clear?" 

Abbie groaned. "I guess." 

"Hey, cheer up, peanut! We're gonna do some celebrating tonight." I told her, and her eyes lit up again.

"Really!? What are we celebrating?"

"Your last day of school, duh!!" I used a voice that would belong to an over-dramatic teenager, and she giggled as I walked across the parking lot with her. 

"Will there be food?" She asked. 

"What's a celebration without food?" 

"Not a very good one." 

I chuckled. "I was thinking the same thing." 

"Great minds think alike, Daddy." Abbie pointed out.