The Choice

The Choice-Chapter One

The day started like any other day. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and as a Kindergarten teacher in a tiny town in New Mexico, my day was supposed to be an easy one. The children had a half day, and we would spend it making turkeys out of pine cones. 

I was excited for school to be over. That evening, I would be driving to El Paso to meet my boyfriends parents for the first time. My bag was already packed, and stowed in the trunk of my Voltswagon Beetle. 

I was late to class that day, I arrived at the school ten minutes after the bell rang. The principal, Mrs. Edwards, had gotten my kids into their classroom, and settled down before I arrived. I apologized for my tardiness, but of course, it didn't matter to her. She is a dragon. She wears her hair up in a tight bun at the base of her head, and her pants creased in a perfect line. 

She told me to come to her office after school. I tried to put her words out of my mind, and focused on my kids. By the time they were packed up and heading out to the buses, my stomach was in a knot. When the buses pulled away, I turned back to the school. 

"Are you alright?" One of the other Kinder teachers asked. She fell into step beside me. 

I nodded, "Mrs. Edwards called me to her office. I was late again this morning, so I'm not looking forward to this." 

"You haven't heard?" She asked. 

"Heard what?" 

"About the school board? They had another meeting last night." 

Dread filled me. I knew the answer, but I couldn't stop myself from asking, "What did they decide?" The school board had been debating several issues over the past few months. The latest was if they would cut the elementary classes down to two instead of three. 

"Sorry, hon." The other kinder teacher sighed. "They've decided to cut one class in each grade. I think you're the last for them to let go. Six other teachers have already been let go." 

"Lovely." I reached the office.

Mrs. Edwards door was open, and I entered. She sat behind her desk, staring at her computer. "Sit." Was all she said. 

I sat in one of the guest chairs across from her, folded my hands in my lap, and waited. 

"You have had only a few months with us, Miss Patterson." She said. "I'm sorry it has been so short." 

"I have enjoyed it." I said, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity." 

"At yesterday's School Board Meeting, they decided to reduce each grade by each class. As of Monday, there will be two classes. Hence, we do not need three teachers."

"Will I be moved to another class?" I asked, hopefully. 

"No, Miss Patterson. I'm sorry, but your services are no longer needed." She handed me an envelope. "They have chosen to give everyone severance pay." She took off her glasses and tossed them onto her desk. "I want you to know that this was not my decision. We have had our differences, but you are a good teacher. You are young, and you have a lot of learning to do yourself, but your students respond to you. I fought this decision. I am still trying to appeal it, but there isn't much chance that I will win." 

I nodded. I have never heard the principal talk so much, she is a woman of few words. It usually takes a simple look from her to make a student straighten up, so there is no need for words. 

Tears pricked my eyes, and I blinked them back. "Thank you." I said. "I have enjoyed working here these past few months." 

"I know this is your first teaching job, and I want to make sure you understand that it is not because of your abilities. It is because if budget. I have prepared a letter of recommendation." She handed me another envelope. "Please use me as a reference."