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Back to School
Lucy sat with Marcie on the back porch, tea warming her hands. Marcie cradled a mug of coffee.
“It feels good to sit outside again. Even if it’s freezing.”
“Freezing is putting it lightly, girl.” Marcie said. “You’ve got about ten minutes before your hands turn blue.”
“I’ll take it. Beats sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of lesson plans staring at me.”
“You getting used to the idea of being back?”
“I’ve been at it. Reviewing the new curriculum, trying to wrap my head around everything again. But the idea of actually standing in front of a bunch of seventh graders? That feels... huge.”
“You made the French Revolution click for a room full of twelve-year-olds. You’ll survive homeroom.”
“Yeah, but that was before the accident. Before everything. I don’t even know if I remember how to be that person anymore.”
“You’ve changed. Fine. That doesn’t cancel everything you were good at.”
“I know. It just feels... weird. Like I’m leaving something unfinished.”
“Matt’s doing better, isn’t he?”
“Yeah, he’s been making real progress.” Lucy’s voice picked up. “He’s doing transfers on his own now. And last week, he told me he could actually feel his feet when they raised him up.”
“Look at him go.” Marcie gave a half-smile. “I’m sure that’s wrecking his whole ‘stone-faced tough guy’ thing.”
“He plays it down, but it’s there. He’s even pushing his chair a little. They’ve been working on his right hand in PT. It’s slow, but it’s getting stronger.”
“And you? Figured out how to relax yet?”
“Trying to. Ben’s been incredible. He’s at the hospital so much, keeping Matt motivated. Danny’s been helping out at home too, making sure I can actually focus on getting ready to go back to work.”
“So, if you’ve got all that support and he’s making progress, why does it feel unfinished to you?”
“Because… I don’t know. I’ve been there every step of the way, and now that he’s doing better, it’s like, what if he has a bad day? What if something happens and I’m not there?”
“You’ve been running flat-out for months. Matt’s stronger now, and he’s got backup. It’s okay to step back. That’s not the same as walking away.”
“I know you’re right. But it still feels selfish.”
“Wanting your life back isn’t selfish. It’s the first sane thing I’ve heard you say in weeks. And, honestly? I think Matt would agree. He’d probably make some dumb joke about needing a break from you.”
Lucy snorted. “He would.”
“See? You’re allowed to want this. You taught long before this. Going back now doesn’t make you a traitor. It just makes sense.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime. Now, if you’re done being dramatic, tell me. How the hell are you going to make the Fertile Crescent interesting for seventh graders?”
“Bribery. Lots of bribery.”
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