33. Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Winnie

"Yes!" Kime stands from the chair with her small hands in the air. "It's ready!"

"Nice! You've done a great job." I lightly clap for her when we're in the library and should be mindful of others.

She lifts the card she and I prepared for Telke. "Do you think Mr. Stek will like it?"

"He will. You put your heart into it. That's the most important ingredient."

On the card, there's a drawing of Telke and Kime in the playground together. Kime drew the picture, she even drew a floatball for Telke. She and I put together the decorations for the card. There are hearts lining the edges and glitter for the sky. It's mostly Kime's idea. All I did was make sure she had the materials she needs and help with some of the procedures.

According to Telke himself, he has recovered completely from the accident. I don't have a reason to doubt his healing progress, either. But the card is still going to be greatly appreciated.

Kime turns to me. "Do you know whether Mr. Stek is in the staff room and I can give this to him?"

I check my phone for the teaching schedule. "I think he's going to be there. Let's go."

She puts the card into an envelope, which we also decorated together. "I hope he'll like it."

"He will."

Maybe Kime's like me. Both of us need to make sure things are going to be fine more than once.

She reaches her hand to me, so I take it. I glance around the library, making sure everyone's doing fine. The cleaning staff is there working on the glass display cases, so I ask for her help to keep an eye on the kids while I'm gone.

Kime can't wait to arrive at the staff room, so I hurry to go with her. Her legs are shorter than mine, but she somehow drags me along the corridor.

When we get to the staff room, Telke is there talking to the principal.

Kime lets out a soft sigh. "Looks like he is busy." Maybe Kime knows the principal isn't stopping anytime soon and Telke won't be able to get out quick enough.

I wink. "Maybe we can help him."

"Yes! Let's do it!"

Most of the time, talks between teaching staff are kept away from kids. Not to mention that if it's important and confidential, the principal and Telke would be talking inside the staff room or inside a meeting room, not in the corridor. Likely, it's just a casual chat that's not going to end anytime soon.

We go up to them. Kime opens her mouth, but the intensity in her eyes slowly fades.

I clear my throat. "Good morning."

The principal and Telke look over at us. Telke's eyes light up at once. "Good morning." Telke looks to Kime. "Hello there."

The principal chuckles and pats Telke's shoulder. "Looks like you got something to do. I'll talk to you later."

"Sure, later." Telke waves the principal goodbye and turns to Kime. "What's up?"

I let go of Kime's hand so she can hand the card over to Telke with both hands. "Mr. Stek, I'm sorry that I didn't pay attention before I tried to pick up the ball. Please forgive me."

"Oh, is this a card for me?" Telke takes the envelope and opens it. "Wow!"

Kime takes a breath and glances at me. I give her a thumbs-up, encouraging her to keep going. She says, "I made this card with Miss. Bailey. So... I hope you're well."

Telke has the biggest smile I've ever seen. "Thank you. I'm perfectly fine by now. The doctors worked their magic. Just be careful next time. This card is so nice."

She giggles. "Thank you!" It doesn't take long before she bows her head. "I'll leave for the next lesson now. Thank you, Miss Bailey and Mr. Stek."

Telke shouts at Kime's back as she goes down the corridor. "Don't run! Stay safe!"

I can't help but smile as I watch Kime go. "Looks like she is feeling better, too. She was upset that she caused the traffic accident."

Telke lets out a soft sigh. His eyes are still glued to the card. "So, you've finally realized that the accident has nothing to do with you, huh? There are many causes to what happened, but none of that has to do with you."

"Well..." I know Telke is fine, and there's no reason to keep dwelling in the past, yet... "There could have been things happening that resulted in you staying in the school for a bit longer, then you wouldn't have witnessed the accident and..."

"Kime wouldn't have survived it."

I sigh again. "Yeah... That's not a desirable outcome either."

"I hate to put it like this, but maybe all of us have already put in our best effort and what happened was already the best outcome there could be."

He leans closer to my ear and lowers his voice. "If we weren't in the school, I'd hug you. As long as you've tried your best, that's what counts." He moves away soon enough, hopefully before anyone will see that. "It's like floatball, you can only try your best." He winks and heads to the staff room. "I'll meet you after school?"

"Another floatball practice?"

"No, but something else."

Oh... Now he's keeping me waiting.

I turn to head to the library again. There is still work to be done, not to mention the workday isn't even half over.

I put up a smile and greet everyone on my way. Sometimes, that's the problem with working in a school. There seem to be beings around all the time, and I can't find any alone time.

Thoughts run through my head, but I don't have time to organize any of them.

Am I making the right decision?

Maybe I know to tell Kime that trying her best is all she can do with the card, but I should tell that to myself, too.

And... Even though I'd hate to let cocky Telke be right all the time, maybe he has a point. Maybe if I try my best to make the best decision I can make, that's what counts.

Telke has been reliable too.

Am I... going to be fine if I don't stay with him? There won't be his strong arms to keep me warm and safe. There also won't be his silly jokes to make me feel better.

He is the positive and happy one between us.