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Friday, November 17, 2017

Something Different - Part 7

Good morning FFFs,
I'm more in a fall mood this week than I was last week. The weather has been warmer this past week which might have something to do with things. Not that it's been really warm, but it's been in the upper 50s - upper 60s. And the last few days have been sunny. Our yard is covered with leaves! And I mean covered. When we rake all the leaves down to the sidewalk for the city to collect (isn't that nice of them to come collect all our leaves?), we fill up almost the entire section near our house with mountains of leaves. Of course kids love playing in them.

This week I've already written close to 4k! I did get stuck on this Christmas story on Wednesday, but I was able to connect with some of the girls from my "NaNo Cabin" and they helped me brainstorm. Now I just have to get it to all come together. I will tell you right now though, this is too long of a story to post on my blog. It's already 14k words. And I haven't reached the end. But you can expect a new Christmas book next year. 😉

Today is the last day of my Christmas Collection Blog Tour. Stop by Read Another Page if you haven't already done so, and go read the reviews and interviews. You might learn something new.

And here's the final part of this story. I hope you've enjoyed it.

Something Different
Part 7

    Abby nodded and Lindsay continued.
    “Mrs. Willman was there! I wondered if she had something to do with this since she seemed to know so much about it when I talked to Dr. Willman that first day. And several other people were there as well. The principal of the Christian school and some board members, or something. Anyway, they showed us around and let us ask questions. Then they let us write on the chalkboards and sit at the teacher’s desk. Oh, Abby, I want to teach there!” And Lindsay’s hands tightened into fists at her sides as she tried to fight back her almost overwhelming desire to scream. Drawing a deep breath, she went on. “Then we were all told to find a seat. Everyone else went outside except one older gentleman who is the son or grandson of someone who actually taught in that school! Doesn’t that just give you chills to think about?” She kicked off her shoes and tucked her feet up under her before going on. “He gave us a set of papers and a pencil, and then told us we were going to take the teacher’s exam!”
    Abby’s eyes widened. “Just like that? No time to prepare or anything?”
    “Just like that. I was so thankful that I had looked up what they were like, so I at least had an idea of what to expect. I don’t think anyone was really prepared. Unless it was Sharon. But that gentleman is a certified teacher and had the right or authority, or whatever it is, to give us the tests. And we had to do them right there. In those desks. And no phones were allowed. I forgot to mention that he asked us to turn our phones off for the duration of the test.”
    “Didn’t he trust you?”
    “Probably, but they don’t want your phone to ring, or beep, or something when you are in the middle of a test. The test took us a good long while. Next came lunch. Most of us ate out on the porch. I discovered Grandma’s friend and spent the entire lunch time hearing all about the schoolhouse and the history of it. Oh, Abby, it was so exciting!”
    “Sounds like it. But it’s several hours after lunch, what happened next?” Abby prodded when Lindsay sat staring at the opposite wall with a dreamy expression on her face. “Lindsay. After lunch?”
    “Huh? Oh, sorry. They had us all stay outside, and we took turns going inside to be interviewed in person for ten or so minutes.”
    “Were you nervous?”
    “Yes! I don’t know how well the interview went because I can’t really remember a thing about it except that I had to tell why I wanted to teach there. I don’t think I’ll get the job though, even though I want it so badly.”
    “Why ever not?” Abby demanded.
    “I probably looked like a scared kid. Sharon and one of the guys, Jared, were as cool as though they applied for positions at one-room schoolhouses on a regular basis. One of them will probably get it, if one of the outside group doesn’t. I wish I had more of your poise when talking.”
    “My poise? Ha! Lindsay, you have the poise you need. You get passionate about what you love, and you give all you have to whatever is before you. If you don’t get the job, it’s because God has other plans for you. But don’t give up hope until there is a definite no. Got it?”
    Lindsay nodded. “Thanks. We’re supposed to hear by Monday evening. I’m not sure I’ll be much good in class that day.”
    “How do you think you did on the test?”
    “No idea. Dr. Willman was right. It was harder than I was expecting. I’d like to take it again when I’m not so nervous and see how I do.”

    Lindsay’s phone rang while she and Abby were eating supper Monday night. Picking it up, she looked at the  number and her face grew pale.
    “Answer it,” Abby ordered.
    Swallowing hard, Lindsay tried to say something, but it was only a croak. Quickly clearing her throat, she tried again. “Hello, this is Lindsay.”
    There was a long silence on Lindsay’s side as she listened to the voice on the other end.
    “Uh huh. . . . You did? . . . Yes. . . . I will. Thank you. Goodbye.” Her hand was shaking as she hung up and set the phone back down on the table. “I . . . I . . .” She lifted her eyes and looked at her best friend. “I got it. I’m going to teach. In the little one-room schoolhouse!” Her voice rose as the reality sank in. “Abby, I got it! I get to do it!” Her excitement was met with a delighted hug from Abby.
    “You’ll do a great job. Did they say anything about what you have to wear?”
    “An e-mail is being sent to me with more information.” Shoving away her plate, Lindsay grabbed her laptop from the counter, and opened it. “I didn’t think I’d get it,” she breathed almost to herself. “But I did. I’m going to teach!”


    The scarlet leaves of the sumac, the yellow of the silver maple, and the brown of the oak trees danced in the breeze outside the windows of the small schoolhouse. Energetic clouds raced across the sky in a constant game of tag while the sun shone benignly down from its blue throne.
    “Good morning children,” Lindsay said with a smile as she stood before her first class, “My name is Miss Crawford.” Turning around, she felt the gentle swish of her soft brown dress about her ankles as she picked up a piece of chalk and deftly wrote her name on the blackboard. She was doing something different, and she prayed that her influence would tell for eternity.

Do you like surprise tests?
Do you get nervous waiting to hear about something?
Did you visit my Blog Tour?

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