Chapter 8
“Alright, everyone, let’s simmer down. We need to discuss our bimonthly reading project,” I demanded of the class. I gave them all a few minutes to get quiet, and once they all faced my way, I spoke again.
“If you guys aren’t aware, the illiteracy rates in this country are less than subpar. With the rise of social media and technology, many people don’t read. I want everyone in here to be part of the literate group of people in America,” I stated.
“How are we going to do that, Mrs. Gray?” Shante asked.
I smiled because there was always one of them that was too eager to let me finish.
“We’re going to do bimonthly reading groups.
Each group will have four people. Every month, one person will choose a book that the group will read.
I’ll give final approval of the book. Each book will have a required page minimum of two hundred.
Everyone will have to write a two-page summary of what they learned from the book.
Then each group will have an in-class presentation of that information.
This will increase your reading and public speaking. ”
I heard the groans from the students I knew would dislike the project. As their teacher, it was my job to keep them sharp. Two months was more than enough time to read and give feedback. Even with such a generous timeline, I knew someone wouldn’t adhere to it.
“Oh, before I forget, there will be no extensions. This is an opportunity for you all to learn teamwork and accountability. If one person in the team doesn’t comply, you’re all at risk of having your grade reduced by 50 percent,” I advised.
“Mrs. Gray, that’s not fair. We can’t control other people,” Zachary complained.
“Correct. You can’t control them. The point is to make sure you work together. Regular check-ins with your team should keep everyone on track. If there is someone falling behind, you guys have ample time to update me.”
Zachary and a few others shook their heads.
I knew they wouldn’t be happy, but this would be a good life lesson for them.
All too often, people focus on themselves instead of their community, and I wanted them to learn that working together could be beneficial.
Most business leaders used their network to progress, so the project would be a steppingstone for them to work together.
“Right now, you don’t see the benefit of this.
Once we get through this, I’ll explain my reasoning for this project.
It will be beneficial for everyone in the long run, I promise.
You have a week to choose a book. I’ll post the groups in our virtual forum.
I’ll also post the bimonthly book selections in the virtual forum,” I explained.
Before anyone else could protest, the bell rang.
School was officially out for the day. I’d never seen my students bolt from my class so fast. I held in my laughter as they left the room.
It was time for me to gather my things and grab Reign from the courtyard.
I grabbed my bag and turned out the lights as I left the classroom.
When I made it down to the courtyard, I saw Micah standing with Violet and Reign.
“Hey, guys,” I greeted them. The girls were giddy with excitement as they spoke a mile a minute.
“The girls were just telling me about their day,” Micah said, interrupting their rambling.
“I guess I’m right on time. Reign, are you ready to go?” I asked.
She nodded her head my way with a sad look on her face. “I wanna play with Violet,” she whined.
I looked over at Micah.
“I wanna play with Reign,” Violet whined.
“Tonight is a school night. How about we see if you guys can have a play date this weekend?” I offered.
“Yay!” they said in unison.
“I’ll call you this evening to see about scheduling that play date,” Micah replied. He winked at me as Reign and I left the courtyard.
Later that evening, I got Reign into bed and headed to the barn.
It had been a few days since I rode Lucky.
I spent my weekend grading papers, so I didn’t have time.
I wanted to work on making sure I made time for myself.
If I didn’t take time, I wouldn’t be any good to anyone else.
When I reached Lucky’s stall, he lifted his muzzle toward my outstretched hand, and I smiled at the gesture.
It was a sign he was becoming used to me.
I took one of the bristle brushes out of the basket to brush his coat.
When I was a child, brushing the horses was all I could do.
My mother would tell me I was too small to ride, but that didn’t stop me from hanging around the barn until I could ride.
I learned early on that caring for the horse was just as important as riding.
It was too late for me to ride Lucky this evening.
I never rode in the dark, so the least I could do was spend time with him.
The sound of a car driving on the gravel interrupted my time with Lucky. I checked my watch, and it was after eight. We didn’t have visitors at night. I put the brush down and made sure I locked the stall before I left Lucky, and as I exited the barn, Micah stepped out of his car.
“I thought you were going to call?” I asked.
“After seeing you earlier, I decided I wanted to see you instead. I should have called first. Do you want me to go?” he questioned.
“Not at all. I would invite you in, but everyone is asleep,” I replied.
“That’s fine. I want you to take a ride with me,” he said with a smirk on his face.
“Let me grab my keys and lock up. I’ll be right back,” I said.
Micah leaned against his truck while I ran inside. I locked the barn up, then went inside to grab my keys. After double checking the door, I walked out of the house. When I reached the passenger side of his truck, he opened the door for me.
“Where are we going?” I asked once we were both in the car.
“Somewhere that I like to go from time to time.”
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. Instead, I remained quiet and let Micah drive. Twenty minutes later, we pulled into a secluded patch of land. He pulled over onto a patch of grass in the open field.
“Come on. I want to show you something,” he uttered as he got out of the car.
While I got out of the car, I noticed Micah went to the back of the truck. I followed him and watched as he let the lift down on the truck. Micah unwrapped a blanket and took two pillows out of a bag before he took my hand and helped me onto the back of the truck.
“Come lie down with me. I like to look up at the stars when I need a break from life,” he beckoned.
I hesitated out of habit, but I lay down beside him. It had been a long time since I was so close to a man other than Jude. The stars were bright in the open field. Breathtaking was the only way to describe the sight above us.
“I heard about the run in you had with Iris. Why didn’t you mention it to me?” he questioned.
“I didn’t think it was worth mentioning. She was being petty. That wasn’t new to me. You know I’ve never been her favorite person,” I explained.
“She and I had a conversation. I let her know that Violet’s school isn’t the time or place for personal conversation.
When I told you I wanted to court you, I meant that.
I don’t want Iris to become a problem for us.
If you ever feel that she is, I want you to tell me.
Just because I spoke to her doesn’t mean she will stop her antics.
If she comes to you again, please don’t keep it from me. Can you do that for me?”
“I can do that,” I said.
“Now that we got that out of the way, tell me what you need in a partner,” he said while staring at me intently.
“I’ve learned that honesty, loyalty, mutual respect, and communication are the keys to the perfect formula in a relationship. If we can offer that to each other, I think we’ll be fine,” I explained.
A moment of silence found us.
“Do you want to be married again?” he asked.
The question took me off guard. I had sworn off the idea of finding love again. Something about being with Micah gave me hope—hope that I might actually get another chance at happily ever after. I decided to answer him with my heart and not my head.
“I would love the chance to be married again. You mentioned your failed engagement. Are you still interested in marriage?”
“Very much so. I didn’t get the ending I wanted with my ex. One day, I will be a husband to a deserving woman,” he expressed.
It was nice to be on the same page long-term. If he had said marriage wasn’t on the table, there would be nothing to discuss. I was a wife and would always be one.
“Do you want more kids?” I asked.
He smiled as he said, “One or two. I don’t want a starting five.”
“Me too. After my difficult delivery with Reign, I wasn’t sure if I did. Now that she is older, I really want her to have someone to grow up with. Being an only child was lonely. I always envied people with siblings. I love that she and Violet have gotten so close.”
“The girls have gotten close quickly. Violet can’t stop talking about Reign,” he replied.
“And Reign can’t stop talking about Violet. That play date needs to happen soon for them,” I confirmed.
“We need to get a date for ourselves set up, too,” he said.
“I’m free Saturday. The girls can hang out in the afternoon. We can have some adult time in the evening,” I offered.
“I’m with that,” he replied as his hand found mine.
Our conversation took a pause as we sat in comfortable silence. We held hands under the moonlight. It was simple yet romantic all at once. I thought my time brushing Lucky was peaceful. Nothing would beat looking up at the stars with the handsome man beside me.