Chapter four
I arrived at school very early, before the students, as was my custom every day. I had a good night's sleep and was well-rested when I took the bus to Manhattan. I had even considered moving to a place closer to work, but the rents there were absurd and couldn't be afforded on my salary. For the time being, we would stay in Queens, which would allow me to save a little money and even plan for the future.
I was a good student at school, which enabled me to get a scholarship to Columbia to study pedagogy. I've always loved children, and the chance to work with them was a dream for me.
“Good morning, Helena!” said hello to Sarah, another teacher and friend who worked with children a little older than my class of four.
“Good morning!”
“What do you say we go out on Friday? I heard there's going to be a really nice concert, and I can get us some tickets.”
“I'm staying with my grandmother.”
“Oh, I can't believe it!”
“These noisy concerts aren't usually my thing.” I grimaced, and Sarah started laughing.
“How do you expect to get a boyfriend if you only spend your weekends with your grandmother?”
“Her company is very pleasant.” I snorted, and she laughed.
“If no one eats it, the earth will, dear.” He winked at me.
“Sarah! The children...”
“They haven't even arrived...” She didn't even have time to finish her sentence because our children began to invade the corridor, running toward their classrooms. “We'll continue this subject later.” She grabbed one of the students and stopped him before he fell and hurt himself.
I opened the door to the room, and soon, my student appeared, followed by the twins Mary and Anne, who came towards me. They wrapped their arms around my waist, and I stroked their shoulder-length hair.
“It's good to see you both.” I crouched down so that my eyes were level with theirs. “How are you feeling today, Mary?”
“I'm fine.”
“I'm very happy to hear that.” I stroked her chubby cheek, and she smiled at me.
Those two were very cute, and I loved being able to see them every day, as well as my other pupils. I had a class of ten children, and I dedicated myself to them as if I had total responsibility for what they would become one day.
“Plofesora ...” Anne tugged at the hem of my blouse.
“What is it, little one?”
“Why isn't my father a king?”
I widened my eyes in surprise at his question. Sometimes, those little minds got me into a few tight spots, and I had to think for a while to understand the situation.
“Because his father is not the son of another king.”
“Ah!” She squinted, thinking about it, but seemed to accept my answer.
“Is he handsome ?” Mary asked me, and I didn't react again.
“Yes, he's handsome.” It was inevitable that my mind wouldn't be filled with images of the man I'd seen the day before. The haughty bearing, the perfectly-cut goatee, and the expensive, well-tailored suit. Surely, he was snobbish and rich like the fathers of the other children at that school. Under no circumstances should I have been thinking about his beauty, but I couldn't help it. He was a widower who was at least ten years older than me, in addition to the other strong discrepancies. “Because you're both beautiful.” I put my finger on the tip of each of their noses to reverse the situation. “Only someone beautiful could make twins like that.”
They looked at each other and giggled, surely happy with my answer, and at least for the time being, they didn't ask me any more questions.
“Let's go into the living room.” I put my hands on each of their backs. “I've prepared several activities for today.”
They nodded and went to their seats, joining the other students.