“Shima, even on your worse day, you’ll have these women asking for your beauty secrets.”
Momma smiled.
“Now finish getting ready. Ty is coming over to help you get in the car.”
“I like Ty. “
“I do too.”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. Terrence sent me the money back I gave him.”
“How did he do that? I changed the locks.”
“He sent it through Apple Pay.”
“Let me see,” I reached for my mother’s phone. “The last I saw, he had somebody’s Obama phone. He couldn’t send Apple Pay.”
After checking Momma’s phone, I saw that he had sent her back the money he had borrowed.
“Well, I’m glad you got it back.”
“I know you had some choice words for him about taking money from me, but he’s my child just like you are. If I can help him, I will. I don’t do it to make you angry; I do it so I can sleep at night.”
“I know, Momma. I know.”
TIBERIUS
After stopping by Mads’ house to help Ms. Shima into the car, Madalee followed me to the school for the festival. No one knew we were dating, and we planned to keep it that way, but there was no way I would allow anyone else to assist Ms. Shima. I’d grown fond of her the same way I had for Madalee.
The festival was in full swing by the time I arrived. The choir wasn’t scheduled to go on until the middle of the festival schedule. There was no need for me to be there early. Children from every grade level, kindergarten through twelfth grade, participated in some way.
The choir members were allowed to enjoy the festivities. I told them we would meet one hour before their performance behind the main stage.
Heading to my classroom to grab my director's stand and sheet music, Ms. Palin, one of the festival organizers, stopped me short of opening the door.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I wanted to catch you to let you know that due to some scheduling mishaps and technical difficulties, the choir and the play are pushed back an hour and fifteen minutes.”
“I told the students I would meet them an hour before the performance behind the stage.” I looked at my watch. “I should probably let them know it’s pushed back.”
“No worries, the volunteers will handle informing the children, and they will monitor any children that arrive backstage early.”
“Thank you, Ms. Palin.”
“Of course.”
She turned and walked away while I continued into the building after entering my security code. Walking down the hall to my classroom, I noticed they’d already started the transformation for Madalee’s new classroom. One of the old rooms used primarily for storage was being transformed into a music room complete with raised platform seating, soundproofing, and an office for Mads.
I was happy she had accepted the position.
“Hey,” I heard Madalee call from behind me. “You checking out my classroom?”
“I don’t want yo’ lil’ small classroom,” I joked.
After opening the door to my classroom, she followed me in. I closed and locked the door behind me.
“I would, however, like to have the teacher that will be in that classroom,” I said while pulling Madalee close to me.