Chapter 6 #2
help with writing for their English classes, I was to do that too, but school was out in a few weeks, so that part was ending.
Poetry writing was to be included this summer.
Gabe stood and stretched. “Nothing to it, right?”
I replied, “It looks straightforward. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and every third Saturday is my planning time.”
“You can plan whenever you want, but I assigned a day for payroll purposes.”
“I like structure. I only have one Saturday event scheduled this summer, and it’s not on the third Saturday.”
“Just know that it’s flexible. The kids are great. All of them. More than half of them are here because they want to be, so
that helps with the ’tudes.”
I chuckled. “Half?”
Gabe shrugged and tossed up his hands. “Let’s discuss that over coffee.”
I followed him into the kitchen, where he showed me how to work the fanciest espresso machine I’d ever seen. I made a mocha
latte that was better than any I’d picked up lately.
“Saving money on coffee is going to be a big perk.”
Gabe touched the top of the machine. “This is my gift to you and every other adult who works here. I can’t survive without
the stuff.”
We leaned against the counter and took sips from our cups.
“So you said half of the kids are willing participants. What about the other half?”
“A few of the parents have wrestled their kids down and dragged them in because they were failing. Those are the kids we . . .
I . . . wanted to reach. High risk for failing, but getting them in here is hard.”
I thought about my teaching days. The highest grade I’d taught was seventh grade. I knew well that some students weren’t even
motivated in kindergarten. By high school, those same kids had mostly been lost years ago, but still I probed. “Lack of motivation?”
“Sometimes, but transportation too.”
“Hello!” rang in from the corridor.
I recognized Taylor’s voice before she appeared in the doorway.
“The Hot sign was on at Krispy Kreme. I have donuts.”
She flipped open the lid of one of the boxes and eased up to us. Gabe took one and finished half in one bite. She turned the
box to me, and I shook my head like I was on a diet. I was not.
“Between the coffee and the donut, I’ll be up all night.”
“Are you sure? Last chance before the gremlins get them.”
I nodded. “I’m positive.”
Gabe reached into the box for another, and Taylor took her snacks into one of the student rooms. She was instantly famous.
All work was stalled in favor of her sweet treat.
Gabe went into the office. Taylor took Kamesha and a few other students to another room to work on their papers, which left me with the rest of the students.
Gabe had firmly instructed them to add one hundred words to what they were writing or they would not get a donut for the ride home. They got to work.
Although I tried to help, the kids didn’t trust me. Not a single one brought their paper to me, but as soon as Gabe came back
in the room, they had questions. They were positively in love with Gabe—the boys in a Gabe-is-cool kind of way, and the older
girls had obvious crushes on him. I got it. He was magnetic. Not just his looks but his voice, his movements, even the way
he held a pen. There was a lot to hold one’s attention.
I’d get them to come around, but clearly not today. I stood and announced, “I’m going to go ahead and leave.”
Gabe lifted his head and said, “Sure. And just so you all know, this is the last time you’re ignoring Miss Alex. Everyone
understand?”
They groaned but then nodded.
Taylor added, “Now tell her good night and you’ll see her next time.”
The kids gave me waves and byes. I backed out the door. It was all on me next time the school bus came to drop them off. If
they gave them to me, that would be a lot of papers to look at.
I left the room, deciding to stop in the library before leaving. Not that I didn’t have an impressive selection of books in
my cabin, but I never let an opportunity to peruse shelves pass me by.
Scanning the volumes, I could see it was mostly a junior library. They had a large section of classics and some contemporary award winners. There were YA thrillers, romance, fantasy, and every other genre of books.
I was headed to the front door when the smell of coffee drew me to the kitchen. I wasn’t aware anyone else was here, and Gabe
wasn’t making a cup. I entered the room. Ms. Kate was in the room wiping down the counter and sink area. Unnecessarily—the
place was spotless.
A good old-fashioned percolator had been brought out from hiding. No buttons or blinking lights. Just heat, time, and the
user’s patience. “I didn’t mean to disturb. The coffee drew me. It wasn’t that strong before.”
“That’s how I know it ready.”
I said, “It’s good to see you again.”
“You’ll see a lot of me. I’m supposed to be the cleaner, but Gabriel has turned me into an office manager.” She chuckled.
“I answer phones ’nem, get mail, take delivery, handle the cabins, and open the museum.”
Ms. Kate moved toward the cupboards, already reaching for mugs, the conversation continuing as if her hands had a mind of
their own. “It take too much to train a temporary person, so I fill in in the office when he’s gone. That’s been a lot since
his book entered the world.”
Entered the world. I liked the way she said that. Ms. Kate’s voice held a musical lilt. She slipped in and out of the Gullah language. Although
most of her words were clear and easy, some took some thought. “You can have the coffee if you want. I can make more.”
“No. I, uh, you get yours; I can make one with the espresso machine,” I said. “Honestly, I can make a cup at my place.”