A Collection of Short Stories

July 16, 2017

It was too quiet, too peaceful to be true. She should have known better, but hope for the future consumed her when news reports claimed that he had been killed in a house fire. There was enough evidence to back up their claims, but she should have spotted the flaws. After living with him for nearly a decade, she should have known. But, like the silly girl she tried so hard not to be, she slipped into her new life believing that he could no longer hurt her.

Allison Cooper was not the kind of girl who let others victimize her. Every time someone stopped her on the street to tell her how sorry they were, she brushed it off with a cheerful smile. She was just happy to still be alive, she would tell them. And when journalists camped on her front lawn for days after her rescue, she allowed them a few questions before closing her doors and refusing to interact. All she wanted was for everyone to forget what had happened so that she could finally move on.

It had been almost a week since her ex-husband, Xavier Stevens, had been pronounced dead. Though she was almost thirty-two, Allison felt like her life had just begun over the five days she'd been free. The weight of the world had been lifted off of her shoulders. She could breathe again. And with this new life, this second chance, she felt like she could do anything in the world.

Allison stepped into the elementary school's front lobby. A swarm of butterflies erupted in her stomach, and for the first time in her life she felt excited to be taking part in an adventure of her own. Dressed in the most professional clothes she owned—a grey blazer over a white button down that was tucked into a light green skirt and a pair of nude flats—she made her way to the front office.

An elderly, grey haired woman greeted her at the front desk and happily directed her into the principals office where Principal Judy Anderson was waiting for her.

"Miss Cooper, I'm so glad you could make it," Judy said as she shook Allison's hand.

Allison smiled. "Please, call me Allison."

Judy sat down and motioned for Allison to do the same. "I must admit I was a little surprised to receive your application, especially so soon after..."

Allison wasn't surprised that Judy had brought up her ex-husband so quickly. Most people did, and it was beginning to amuse her how they all fished for details by vaguely calling it to attention.

"Mrs. Anderson, I spent 10 years of my life having everything taken from me by Xavier. If you don't mind, I'd like this interview to be between you and me."

Judy smiled. "Of course." She picked up a blue folder in front of her and began to look it over. "Allison, I'm going to be quite frank with you. There isn't much here that sets you apart from anyone else applying for a job. You got your education degree at a 4 year community college after high school but never had a job in the school systems. You tutored on the side, but teaching a class of 25 kids is a whole different ball game. What makes you think you're ready for this after 10 years of unemployment?"

"All I'm asking is to be given a chance to do something for me. I took a refresher course last year so I'm up to date on all of the curriculum and I will work as hard as I have to to be the best teacher at this school. I know I'm a risk, but I've always loved kids. This was my dream job once and I want to give it a shot."

Allison waited as Judy looked her over. "I won't make it a habit of bringing him up, but are you sure you can handle this after what you went through?"

A real smile graced Allison's lips. "After Xavier, I need some good in my life."

Nodding, Judy handed Allison a binder. "I want you to know that the board will be watching you very closely to make sure you can handle this responsibility, but I'm on your side. Everything you need to know is in that binder. Welcome to Pine Tree Elementary School."