The sound of Willowton Elementary’s morning bell clanging across the playground was nearly drowned out by the pitter-patter of little feet headed toward Leif Tandoh. He wrapped his black peacoat tighter around himself, forcing himself to focus on the late autumn chill and not the world’s cutest stampede. In first grade, the kids still had their enthusiasm for learning, still loved being at school, and they thought fondly of their teachers. For a substitute teacher like Leif, it was a delight, especially in comparison to his last job, stuck in the preteen misery of middle schoolers. He just had to make sure the infectious cheer of six-year-olds didn’t get to him.
“Welcome, class. Let’s get started.” Leif tried to keep his deep voice light, pitching it up an octave in the way most people di
