Chapter 10

CHAPTER

TEN

DANI

When August hits, it’s time to go back to work. Other parts of the country don’t start as early, but I won’t complain about our school schedule since we’re done in May. I will always complain about the early mornings though.

Tyler slept over at my parent’s last night to enjoy his last few days of summer before we are both awakened by alarm clocks. I don’t like early mornings, and this is the first time I’ve had to set an alarm since May. Why does a teacher’s workday have to start so darn early? I hit my favorite smoothie place on my way in, a treat to myself.

Today is a real work day. Time to set up my classroom. It’s hard work, but incredibly fulfilling at the same time. I need to add color and function to a cinderblock room to make it an optimal learning environment for my students. Today’s the first day back for teachers to start that task.

We received a message to report to the auditorium before heading to our classrooms this morning. That’s a little unusual, but I welcome seeing all my fellow teachers in one place before the work begins.

I’m dressed in overalls and a crop top with my unruly curls held back in a bandana. Today’s look is about manual labor, not fashion. I have so much work to do in my room to transform it into a warm and safe space for my students. I’ve loaded my car with the few boxes of leftover supplies from last year, but I need to see what I’m working with before purchasing additional supplies.

“Don’t you look totes adorbs?” Jenny sashays up to me in the hall. Her long, dark ponytail sways with her walk. She’s wearing a Reapers t-shirt and cargo pants. Since when did she start sporting Reaper’s gear?

“You know I’m getting a new room this year, so it’s starting from scratch. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”

“Worth it to be next door to me! You know I’ll help,” she squeals.

Jenny and I have classrooms next to each other this year, and I’m thrilled to be a door away.

“And I’ll take you up on it too.” I throw my arm around her shoulders and give her a half hug. “Any idea what the meeting is about?”

Lisa, another third-grade teacher, answers my question as she approaches. She’s way too perky for this time of morning. “I heard we got a huge donation of supplies. Nothing better than school supplies for a teacher. Beats flowers, hands down. Am I right, ladies?”

We all laugh because she speaks the truth. Back to school is expensive, and many of us use our own money to stock our rooms. It’s even harder when you teach in a low-income school. I can’t allow the parents to decide between school supplies and food, so I do what I can. My kids and their families need a hand up. I’m blessed to do that for them.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. “Hey, let me get this. I’ll meet you guys in there. ”

I take a quick call from Mom to get an update on Tyler. I hang up and pull the door open to an auditorium full of people. The buzz is electric as the voices blend into a low roar.

I stop at the top of the ramp and look around to get my bearings. I recognize many of my fellow teachers, but there are dozens of people I don’t recognize. There are a lot more men than I remember working here last year. We rarely get a male elementary teacher, let alone this many. And they all look fine.

I scan the room for Jenny and do a double take when I see her talking to Matt and Darcy. That can’t be. Then Casey Samuels waves at me. I tilt my head, trying to figure it out. What are they doing here? Am I in the right place? I’m at my school, not at the Reaper’s Stadium, right?

“Hi.”

His rich baritone voice sweeps over me, and I practically melt. I slowly turn to see Alexander Decker standing next to me. He’s wearing a Reapers baseball shirt, tailor-made jeans, and a backward baseball hat. If those ocean-blue eyes weren’t seared into my soul, I wouldn’t have recognized him at all.

“Hi. Um, what’s going on?” I ask, still stunned.

He gives me a panty-dropping smile and shrugs. “A little community outreach.” His eyes move over my body, checking me out. The skin that peeps through the overalls warms just from his eyes.

“Huh.” I’m struck with the realization I look a mess, much different from our last encounter. I put my hand to my head and remember I’m wearing a bandana. “I bet I’m a sight,” I mumble.

“You are.” He smiles at me, making me think his comment isn’t negative. “I love your curls. I didn’t say that right last time.”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment. He loves my curls? I thought he liked the sleek and polished look since all his red-carpet dates look like that. Maybe he isn’t as he seems?

I can’t believe he’s here, and I look like I’m about to scrub bathrooms. Meanwhile, his muscles are well-defined underneath his ti ght shirt. Even his casual look is magazine worthy. His forearms flex as his hands fist at his side.

Mr. Davis, our principal, calls for us to take a seat. Everyone moves toward the front of the auditorium and sits scattered throughout the room. I don’t know if I’m up to walking down the ramp to the front, so I scoot into a seat next to where I’m standing. Alexander doesn’t sit with me but goes down to Mr. Davis.

I slink down, wondering if I can escape and go home with no one noticing me. Mr. Davis gives us all a quick welcome back and then hands the microphone to Alexander.

“Thank you, Mr. Davis. I’m Alexander Decker, General Manager with the Carolina Reapers. It’s our pleasure to be here with you all today. Teaching our future generations is a noble and often thankless job. I know that teachers often spend their own time, money, and energy on their classrooms. Well, we wanted to pitch in. I’ve brought my Reapers family here to help you get your rooms ready. There are supplies, paint, furniture, and anything you need to get you started this school year. And just as important as the supplies, I brought people power. We’re here to work, so whatever you need, you tell us, and we’ll do it. Thank you for allowing us the privilege to give back.” Alexander hands Mr. Davis the microphone as the room breaks out into applause. My phone buzzes with a text.

JENNY

SOOOOOO much better than flowers ??

Huh?

“Hey, Dani!” I look up to see Darcy dancing, shifting her weight from side to side from excitement.

I stand up and hug her. “Darcy, I’m surprised to see you. Why are you guys here?”

“The Reapers do a lot of community outreach. Alexander asked if I’d help, and, well, here I am.” Her eyes twinkle. “You get me today . Tell me your vision for your room, and I’ll make it happen.” She winks at me. “Designing is my jam.”

“Wow. I’m just surprised, but this is fantastic. I have a new room this year and haven’t even checked it out yet. That’s why I’m dressed this way.” I’m dying a thousand deaths thinking about how I look. I didn’t put on any makeup. My hair is covered in a bandana. My overalls are baggy but oh-so-comfortable. I can’t believe I’m seeing all these people looking like this. “It’s going to be a lot of work.”

“Well, I think you look great. Really. I’m dressed to work too.” She’s wearing an oversized Reapers t-shirt with leggings and Converse high-tops. It may be casual, but she still looks put together. Her coolness is effortless. It’s just Darcy, and I’m a little jealous. “Let’s go check out this room and get started.” She loops her arm around mine and pulls me toward the doors. Darcy Davidson is a force to be obeyed.

We go to my classroom, and it’s more drab than I thought. I look around and am underwhelmed. I sit on the old metal desk and scan the room. There’s a pile of stuff in the back. Great. We need to clean it out before we start. I try to imagine it with bright faces and think about what they need to feel comfortable and safe.

“I can see a reading alcove here,” she starts as she walks around the room. “A nice soft rug, a comfortable chair for you. Lots of low shelves and books. What do third graders read these days?”

“My kids are a little behind in reading, so anything that will keep their attention. Dog Man , graphic novels, fantasy, humor. Some even like biographies. I have a decent stash from last year, but I send books home with them for the summer, so I need to replenish every year.”

“Got it. Consider it done.” She types something into her phone and focuses back on me. “What’s your favorite color?”

“What? ”

“Your favorite color. I know this is for the kids, but you spend so much time here. This room is for you, too.”

“Oh, okay. I like yellow.” I feel the need to clarify. “Not the yucky brown-mustard color, but the French’s mustard that’s pure yellow. It’s so yellow, Crayola should name a crayon after it. Oh, like the cornsilk crayon. I used to love the dandelion crayon, but they discontinued them in 2017, but I still search for them sometimes. I’m not as fanatical as that girl on TikTok but, gah, I miss dandelion crayons.” I pop my hand over my mouth. When I get excited, I ramble.

She beams at me. “Yellow. Figures. Happiness, warmth, and sunshine. Dandelion yellow, huh?” She nods her head like she’s agreeing with someone, but we’re the only ones in the room.

“What?” I’ve gone overboard with my rambling. “That was too much, wasn’t it?”

“No, not at all. It’s perfect. Just ignore me. Okay. Tell me more about your students. What do they need?”

“Well, this is a low-income school. Most of these kids come from this neighborhood. Often single-parent homes who are working and don’t have time to help with homework. They’re just trying to get by. Food insecurity is real for a lot of them. I make sure they get decent snacks at the end of the day, in case they don’t get dinner. They don’t have extra money for school supplies, especially the nice-to-have items.” I look out the cracked window and sigh. “They need to feel safe here.”

Darcy sniffles, and she has tears in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to make it sound sad. The kids are great! They’re like sponges, ready to learn. They’re loving and kind, for the most part. Occasionally I get one on their way to a hardened heart, but with enough love and encouragement, I can keep that away for another year. I love my students. They’re fantastic, tiny humans.”

“You’re so beautiful.” She squeezes my hand. “Thank you for what you do.”

I blush. “I’m just doing a job. ”

“No, it’s more than that.” A tear slips down her cheek.

There’s a knock at the door, and we both look up to find Matt in the doorway. “Hey, Dani.” He looks at Darcy, comes in, and wraps her in his arms, kissing her at her temple. “Hey, pretty girl. What’s got you all teary?”

At his touch, her tears seem to evaporate. “Dani is a saint.” She looks at me and smiles. She pulls away from Matt and kicks back into work gear. “Let’s get her room ready. I’ll need three painters, someone for furniture assembly, and a shopper.”

“On it. I’ll be back with a team in a minute.” He starts to leave and turns back. “Hey Dani, thanks for letting us do this for you. My girl is over the moon with this project. Don’t let her Sigmund Freud you with her color mumbo jumbo.” He winks and practically leaves the room at a jog.

“He’s just the cutest,” I comment. “He’s got such golden retriever energy.”

We both laugh.

“He really does,” she agrees.

“Have you guys found a place to live yet?” When I met them a few weeks ago, they had just moved to Charlotte and were temporarily staying at Julian Decker’s place.

“I’ve looked at several places. Julian said we could stay as long as we want, but we’ve determined we are not high-rise, luxury-living type of people. I’m looking for something with potential and a yard to make ours. I want a charming neighborhood.”

“It’s exciting to start this new chapter. I’m happy for both of you.” I think back to when I was Darcy’s age. I finished college and started my first teaching job in Washington, DC. It’s where I fell in love with low-income schools. It was, well, it was before.

True to his word, Matt reappears with Tripp Stevenson, a superstar Reaper pitcher, Casey and Joey Samuels, and Alexander. Everyone enters my drab room and looks around at the task before us. It’s daunting.

I introduce myself to Tripp and Joey, but they both say they remember me. Tripp gives me a wink, and I think I hear Alexander growl. I giggle like a schoolgirl.

“Okay, listen up,” Darcy commands. “Tripp, Matt, and Joey, I need you to be the painters. Tripp and Joey start taping the edges and putting down the drop cloths while I order the paint. Matt, come with me.” I swear he gives her a wicked smile. “Casey, can you put together a few simple shelves?”

“Of course.” She practically sounds offended.

“I can,” I start to volunteer.

“Nope. Just wait for your assignment.” Darcy smiles and slowly spins around the room one more time. I’m surprised at her bossy side because she seems so sweet.

“Alexander, I’m going to text you a shopping list. I need you and Dani to hit Costco and stock up on a few things. Can you handle that?”

“But I want to help here,” I say weakly.

“You are helping, trust me. When you get back, you won’t recognize this place.”

“If you aren’t comfortable going with me, I’ll switch with Casey,” Alexander says to me. He looks at me with apprehension. Does he think I’m still mad at him? Does he still think I’m afraid of men? Of him? Please.

“What? No. No. It’s not that.” I lean against my rusty desk, my hand catching on the nicked faux-wood top. “I feel bad asking everyone to do the heavy lifting.”

Tripp walks by with several rolls of blue painter’s tape. “This beats time in the weight room, hands down. Now that’s heavy lifting.” Matt and Joey laugh, and Alexander gives them a scolding look. “I’m excited to get to do this. I’d gladly come back and read to the kids if you want. Just let me know how I can help.” I picture Tripp reading to my kids, and my heart swells. The kids will love him.

Joey slaps him on the shoulder. “Painting is a good workout for that arm. Reading should be easy for you. Don’t you still read kid’s books? ”

“Manga are not kid’s books,” Tripp says with an edge.

“If you say so. They still have pictures. Dani, don’t come back until that truck is so full it’ll take the entire team to empty it, got it?” Joey quickly kisses his wife as he passes by her with an arm full of drop cloths he grabbed from somewhere in the back of the room.

I look at these people who are genuinely happy to be helping me. I’m so full of joy that it leaks out as a tear.

“Please don’t cry.” Alexander reaches toward my face but catches himself and drops his hand. My bruise is long gone, but I know he still sees it. Is he always going to see me as a victim?

“You guys make me so happy, it can’t stay contained.” I give them all my best smile. I grab my purse. “This should be fun.” I look at Alexander Decker and give him an evil grin. He may be in casual mode, but I’ll bet he’s never been to a Costco.

“Why are you looking at me like you know something I don’t?” He’s cautious, which is smart.

“You ever been to Costco?” My grin deepens.

“No, it’s just a big-box store, right?”

The entire room breaks out in laughter.

This is going to be fun.