Sweet on Sophie

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Sophie Reynolds looked around her classroom, pleased with the progress she had made. Bright colors stood out against the stark off-white walls, giving the space an inviting and fun appearance. The ABC’s lined the front wall taped above the large dry erase board and corkboard. A cute die-cut border of multicolor puzzle pieces outlined the corkboard. The middle was filled with yellow paper and beside it, cutouts of crayons with their colors labeled in thick black marker. Sophie had made the crayons her first year as a teacher and the laminate she’d covered them in kept them a permanent fixture every year.

She had her reading corner set up with a bright green carpet, white wicker rocking chair with a fuzzy purple pillow, and a group of bookshelves lined up into an L, creating a nook. The word READ in multiple colors hung from yellow ribbons on the outside of the bookshelf.

She wanted to promote a calming space, so she added a few succulents on top of the bookshelves in small owl planters to match her theme this year: Hoot Hoot Horray! You’re in First Grade!

The book nook was her favorite spot, and she only wished she had more books to fill the neon green, pink, and blue baskets that she used to group the books by reading level and category. Unfortunately, on her salary, she could only afford to buy a few new ones every year. Her online wish lists had helped get the collection she had, and she hoped, in time, she’d be fully stocked.

But she had other needs as well. The school budget didn’t allow for much, so she was constantly reaching into her own pocket to provide the necessary tools for her students to make their time in the classroom as productive and exciting as possible.

She took a few photos and texted them to her twin sister. After all, Ellie had helped her come up with this year’s theme.

Ellie: Looks great, sis. The kids will LOVE it.

She hoped so. If they were comfortable in the classroom, it would help them be their true selves, which is all she wanted for her students.

A knock on her door grabbed her attention, and she spun with a smile. Joan, the second-grade teacher, and Beverly, the fourth-grade teacher, stood in her doorway. Both had been at the school for twenty-five years, and Sophie had learned the ropes from both when she’d first started.

“Hi ladies. What can I do for you?”

Beverly, donning a Red Maple Falls Elementary sweatshirt from last year’s field day, stepped into the room. Her graying hair was parted down the middle and pulled back in a low ponytail. “I told you her classroom looked amazing,” Beverly said, her brown eyes drifting to Joan.

Joan followed Bev into the room and stood beside her. Joan towered over Bev by a good six inches. Her hair was a mix of brown and gray was cut into a bob with bangs. Her gaze settled for a moment on the book nook, and pride filled Sophie.

“How can you afford all this on our salary?” Joan asked.

“I get a lot of help through online wish lists.”

“See,” Beverly said, and Joan nodded.

“See what?” Sophie usually could follow the two women’s conversations, but she was a little lost at the moment.

“We think it’s time we passed the baton down,” Beverly said.

Sophie’s eyebrow lifted in curiosity. “What baton?”

Joan brought her attention back to Sophie. “You know every year, Bev and I are in charge of the fundraisers, and we think it’s time new blood takes over, and you’re the perfect choice.”

Sophie pointed to herself. “Me?”

“Absolutely,” Beverly said. “Your classroom always looks the best, and you already know how to go about using the internet to get help. All Joan and I have are the same tired ideas. People are getting sick of bake sales.”

“Who can possibly be sick of a bake sale? Everyone loves baked goods, and if you get Shay Hayes to donate some cupcakes from Sweet Dreams Bakery, you’re guaranteed a great turnout.”

“And you’re friends with Shay, so even better,” Joan said.

Who wasn’t friends with Shay? She was Red Maple Falls cupcake supplier. Everyone in town had been in her shop, bought her cupcakes, and stuck around to ask about her two sons. She was always happy to pull out her phone and show pictures of the boys.

“I guess I can ask her,” Sophie said.

“A bake sale is great, but we need something that’ll bring in a little more money,” Bev said. “We’re looking to update the books in the library. They’re really starting to show their age, and it’s only a matter of time before they start falling apart.”

“Also,” Joan chimed in. “We want to get tablets for the kids. All my grandkids have it at their schools in Boston, and we don’t want our students to miss out on opportunities that we can provide them.”

“What do you say?” Bev prodded.

If Sophie hadn’t been ambushed, she might’ve had time to come up with a reasonable excuse, but at the moment, she didn’t have a single one. “Sure. Why not?”

Bev and Joan clapped their hands together and let out an excited cheer.

“We’re hoping to have the new books before Christmas break,” Joan said, and Sophie’s head whipped up.

“That gives me only four months to plan and execute.”

“We have faith in you, dear,” Bev said, and Sophie was glad someone did.

She took a deep breath, pushing down the panic forcing its way to the surface. It took her an entire summer to come up with a theme for her classroom. Four months seemed like a lot of time, but they wanted the books before Christmas break, so she didn’t only have to have the money, she needed to have the purchases done and the new books stocked on the shelves.

She’d figure it out. She always did. She just needed to come up with a plan of action.

“Let us know if we can help,” Joan said, but by the way she and Bev hurried out the door, Sophie wouldn’t hold her breath on getting help from them.

She glanced around the classroom one more time, taking in all the little details and colors that made the space look amazing. “I pulled this off,” she said to herself. “I never think I can, and every year I do.”

With a sudden boost of confidence, she grabbed her bag and headed out. She had to think, and she always did her best thinking when she mindlessly browsed the shelves of the local businesses.

Sophie walked into the Country Times Department Store. It wasn’t exactly Macy’s or any of the other big box stores, but it was the closest thing they had in Red Maple Falls. It was a hidden gem lost amongst the trees on the corner of Pinecone Avenue and Acorn Drive. It had everything from apparel to school supplies to housewares to tractor parts and even livestock feed. As a first-grade teacher, Sophie loved to wander through the school supply section.

She waved to Maisey, who’d been manning the register since Sophie was a kid. A large mounted deer head hung above the register, looking out at the store.

Sophie headed straight for the school supply aisle and came to an abrupt stop when she spotted Drake Stevens.

Oh no.

He looked deliciously good in a pair of khaki shorts, navy blue button-down, and boat shoes. It was a shame he was such a dud, and they had zero chemistry. She had high hopes for that date a couple years ago, going as far as imagining their wedding and their children. She was a little crazy, but on paper, the man was perfect.

She never expected that date to be one of the biggest disappointments of her life. How could someone who was so good looking, so accomplished, so kind to his patients, be so disconnected and aloof?

The date was a total disaster and exactly why she’d been avoiding any and all contact with him since. She couldn’t bump into him now. She needed to save herself the inevitable awkward exchange. That is, if he even cared to remember who she was. By the way he carried himself on their date, she’d bet her arts and craft supplies that he would not.

She was probably just one of many women he brought to dinner. Though she couldn’t imagine how well they turned out if he couldn’t even pay attention to what she had to say. Sure, teaching wasn’t for everyone, but at least show some respect and pretend to care.

About to turn around and pick another aisle, her feet stopped when she heard him mumble under his breath. “Wide ruled or college ruled. How the hell am I supposed to know? Does it matter? She’s not in college…”

Against her better judgment, she moved toward him. A young girl about six stood at his side in a pair of lime green leggings and a red and black plaid shirt. Her brown hair hung in her face as she stared at the floor.

Drake Stevens didn’t have children, but Kristen had said his sister recently died, and he gained custody of his niece. Sophie hadn’t thought much about it. Why would she? But now, standing here, watching the poor guy try to decide between wide ruled and college ruled, she couldn’t walk away.

“Wide ruled,” she announced and pointed to the bright pink composition notebook in his hand.

“Sophie!” The notebooks fumbled from his hands, but he managed to catch them before dropping them to the floor. He recovered, stood straighter and smiled. “Hi.”

She offered a smile back, then bent down to the little girl hiding behind his leg and peering out to her.

“Hi,” she said. “I love your outfit. Did you pick it out yourself?”

The girl nodded.

“My name’s Sophie. What’s yours?”

The girl didn’t respond. She stared at her with doe eyes and a barely there, shy smile.

“Um, she doesn’t talk,” Drake said, and Sophie glanced up at him. He motioned his hands toward her, the pages of the notebook flopping with the movement. “I mean she does, but she’s not right now.”

His eyes locked on hers and, without him uttering a word, Sophie understood.

“That’s okay, we don’t need words,” Sophie said. “If I had to guess you’re about six years old?”

The shy smile blossomed slightly.

“I bet I’m right,” Sophie said, offering an encouraging and joyous grin.

The girl nodded, and Sophie threw her arms in the air. “I knew it! Are you going into first grade this year?”

Another nod.

Sophie gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m a first-grade teacher. How awesome is it that you’re going to be in my class?”

The girl’s smile fully bloomed.

“We’re registering her tomorrow.” Drake wrapped his arm around the girl’s shoulder and bent down to her level. “Her name’s Charlotte.”

“What a pretty name. Well Charlotte, it has been so very nice to meet you.”

Sophie straightened and so did Drake.

He smiled, and the natural charm the man radiated poured out of him in heart stuttering waves. “Wide ruled then?”

“At her age, they’re still learning, so more space is better. You’ll probably also need pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, colored pencils, a ruler, a bag to put it all in, folders.” She stopped when Drake’s head looked like it might explode. “Sorry. It’s probably overwhelming. I make the list every year. I kind of have it memorized. You know what…” She reached into her bag and pulled out her overstuffed planner. She balanced the spiral book on her arm and flipped through the pages. “Here it is!” She grabbed the piece of paper and handed it to Drake. “My supply list that I sent out to all my students.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. Like I said, I have the list up here.” She tapped her head.

“Thank you.”

Sensing awkward silence, Sophie lifted her hand to wave. Her gaze landed on Drake, who scratched his head before looking up the aisle. “Do you happen to know where to find safety scissors?”

The teacher in Sophie kicked into full gear. She shoved away the awkward disappointment that followed around her whenever Drake was near and did what she did best. She took charge.

“You better go grab a basket from up front. We have some shopping to do.”