Chapter 25
Oliver wasn’t surprised that Muriel got the position for the second-grade teacher, even if she may have been the only one they interviewed. She was perfect. His principal had hired her right then and there and had given her a key to her new classroom before she’d left.
“He gave me a key!” she said, holding up an old brass key in her hands as she came outside the school building. “I have to resign from my position in Concord, but he wants me to work in Blueberry Bay!”
“That’s great news.” His heart pounded inside his chest. He wanted to kiss her all over again.
“I have to tell my mom!” she said, putting her hands over her mouth. “I need to quit my job!” She laughed and spun her arms around his neck, hugging him. “Thank you so much!” And she kissed him quickly on the cheek. “Let’s have dinner tonight.”
“Perfect,” he said, letting go of her. “I’ll come later to pick you up.”
He waited until she was gone before getting back into his vehicle. He wasn’t sure if he would even be able to drive the way his knees kept wobbling underneath him. He sat for a second and thought about going back to his grandfather’s place, telling him about Muriel and how the day would end, but he thought twice. His father would still be there. He didn’t want to deal with his father when today might turn out to be one of the best days of his life.
He wouldn’t ruin it.
“Oliver!” Principal Tate said, coming out of the building. “Did you hear the good news?”
Oliver nodded, smiling. “It’s great news.”
Principal Tate held the strap to his backpack. “Thanks for the recommendation.”
“I know she’ll be perfect,” Oliver said, believing it. “She’s great with the kids.”
His principal nodded. “I can’t believe our luck with teachers lately. First you, now Ms. Smith.”
Oliver couldn’t believe his luck, either. “Tell me about it.”
“She seems great, too,” Mr. Tate said to Oliver, giving him a nod.
“Is it okay if we are in a…” Oliver didn’t want to say relationship, because he hadn’t even had time to talk to Muriel. Was dating against the rules? “You know, at work?”
“As long as you’re professional in our school, you two are adults and can do what you want outside of work,” Mr. Tate said. “I met my wife working as a second grade teacher while I taught Phys. Ed.”
“You taught Phys. Ed?” Oliver hadn’t known that about his principal.
“Best job there is in a school.” He then covered his mouth with his hand and added, “Don’t tell the school board that one.”
Mr. Tate said goodbye after that. Oliver decided to play his luck and head back to the house. Nothing was going to bring him down tonight.
When he pulled up to the house, he noticed his father’s car parked out front.
“You’re back,” Steven said as soon as Oliver walked in the door.
“Yes, I was able to work things out,” Oliver said, standing by the door, not sure if he should go in or not.
“Oliver, look,” his father began. “I only want what’s best for you. I don’t want you to regret anything. Natasha. Medical school.”
“Natasha and I weren’t right for each other.” Oliver didn’t want to explain himself. “I’m happy as a teacher. I want to be a teacher.”
His father sighed. “Teaching makes you happy?”
“All I wanted from medicine was to be able to help people, and for me, I feel I can help more as a teacher.” Oliver wasn’t ashamed he had changed his mind about medicine. He knew enough to step away from a career that would ultimately make him unhappy. “This community means a lot to me.”
His father stared at him. “Well, if that’s what you want.”
“That’s what I want,” he repeated.
His father looked at his watch. “I have reservations at the club.”
“Sure, go,” Oliver said. “Gramps going with you?”
Steven shook his head. “No, he’s not.”
As his father put his clubs into the trunk of his car, Oliver knew something had happened after he’d left that morning, and he guessed it had something to do with his grandfather. He could feel all the anxiety of his father’s disapproval disappear. His father wasn’t going to be happy, but it wasn’t his life—it was Oliver’s. And over time, he’d get over it.
“But don’t expect me to pay for your lifestyle,” his father said as he got into the car.
Maybe he’d get over it.
As soon as Oliver walked into the house he heard his grandfather calling him.
“Oliver!” his grandfather called out. “Come meet me in the study.”
“Sure, Gramps.” Oliver didn’t waste a second going inside the house. As a kid, he been prohibited from entering the study without permission. Only until he turned eighteen had he been included in the conversations that happened in there. Men of all backgrounds and statuses sat in the study with his grandfather.
As he walked in, his grandfather sat at the picture window, which had a view of the Atlantic. “Gorgeous day.”
“Yes, it is,” Oliver said, looking out the window.
“Take a seat,” his grandfather said, his tone suddenly serious.
Oliver did what he was told.
“I know your father doesn’t understand the whole teaching thing,” Max began. “But I see you with those kids, and I get it. You’re good with them. You know how to get them excited about learning and doing the right thing. You do a great job at building up these young citizens. I’m proud of you.”
Oliver hadn’t meant to get emotional, but suddenly there was a lump stuck in his throat. “Mm-hmm” was all he could say.
“And that’s why, when my time comes,” his grandfather said, “I’ll make sure you and your family are taken care of, always.”
“Gramps, don’t you talk like that,” Oliver said. “Besides, I don’t want your money, just a room to stay in for now. I’ll even pay you rent.”
“You’re good at what you do, Oliver,” Max said, patting Oliver on the back.
“Thanks, Gramps. There is a favor I was hoping for, though.”
“What’s that?” he said.
“Do you think I could use Grandma’s ring when the time is right?” Oliver asked. Maybe he was being a bit premature. He had just kissed Muriel for the first time today. But something deep down told him he needed that ring. “I met this perfect girl who I don’t want to let go.”
This made his grandfather smile. “It’s yours.”