Page 33 of Worth the Fall

MY FAVORITE GIRL

THOMAS

On the drive home, I’d decided not to talk to Clara about her teacher, unless she brought the issue up herself. I didn’t want to put negative thoughts into her head or cause her any unnecessary worry. The last thing I wanted was my daughter thinking there was something wrong with Miss Shooster or that I didn’t like the woman. That would only confuse her, and then she wouldn’t know how to act around her at school.

Plus, Clara was so happy when I got home that it was easy to forget about everything else. Whenever I saw that smile on her face, all my worries and concerns disappeared.

“She’s been coloring like crazy,” Mrs. Green said as I dropped my coat on the counter and looked at the crayons splayed all over the small coffee table. It looked like there were hundreds of them, in every color imaginable.

“I’m in a mermaid phase, Daddy,” Clara said before glancing at Mrs. Green. “That’s what Glo-Glo the Ocean Queen told me.”

Mrs. Green started giggling, and I shook my head at the insane new nickname.

“I like mermaids,” I replied, remembering the scene in her classroom.

“You do? I’m going to make a boy one for you! A merboy,” she said before standing up and grabbing her latest creation. “This one’s for you.” She handed the paper to Mrs. Green with a smile.

“Oh, thank you,” Mrs. Green said as she took the drawing and studied it. “I love it.”

“Do you see the crown on her head?” Clara asked, and Mrs. Green nodded enthusiastically.

“I do.”

“’Cause you’re Glo-Glo the Ocean Queen.”

They both started laughing again, and I watched them, thankful for the relationship they had.

“Well, this Ocean Queen needs to swim across the street. There’s a casserole in the fridge. Directions are on the top. It will keep for a few days if you don’t eat it tonight.”

“Thank you.” I walked her to the front door and helped her down the stairs.

I watched her cross the long street and waited until she turned the light on in her house and waved from the window before going back inside.

You and Clara want to come over? I have something to show you.

The text was from Patrick. I assumed that his house was officially built and he wanted to show it off. He should be damn proud of what he’d built with his own two hands. I could have never done it. Not without help anyway.

“Want to go over to Uncle Patrick’s?”

“Yes! Yes! I’ll go get my shoes on.”

“Clean up all the crayons and papers first, please.”