Page 4 of The Do-Over Girl

We walk out of the office as our heels click on the tile floors of the otherwise silent lobby. We exit through the front doors and she stops when we get outside.

“There’s one more thing I need to mention to you…”

I wait… and wait another blink, watching the obvious discomfort form in her expression.

“What is it?” I’m trying to think what else it could possibly be.

“You know how you’re staying at the B&B on Main street? With Charline Pike?”

“Yes?” It’s perfectly located to walk to the school and shopping in the small downtown area which is important since I don’t have a car. I haven’t had a car in years while I lived in NYC. I had to take a rental here from the airport in Portland, Maine.

“Well, there’ll be another long-term resident staying at the Inn—”

“Really? Who?”

Her phone rings. “Look, never mind, I gotta go. Dentist appointment for the kids.” She takes off and I wave as I stand on the curb watching her pull away.

Allowing a deep breath of the crisp autumn air to calm me, I walk back up the cracked cement path leading to the worn front door of Andrews Point Academy to wait. A young girl, very cute but unsure, walks in the opposite direction, wearing the same uniform I used to wear—plaid skirt and knee socks. I smile at her because she’s so fresh and innocent, the way I was back in the day. Hopefully her experience will end better than mine—not that I let it hold me back, did I?

The girl smiles back, and then before I can say something—because I feel compelled to talk to her—she trips on one of the many cracks in the cement and drops her books and papers.

“Let me help you with those.” I immediately bend and retrieve the folder with papers while she gets her books. I hand the papers back to her.

“I’m glad no one else was around to see my clumsiness,” she says. “That’s all I need.”

“You’re fine. No one would hold that against you. We’ve all had our moments. You’re here a day early. Are you new?”

She nods. “You’re a teacher here?”

“Yes, I’m new too. As a teacher at least. Once upon a time I was a student at APA.”

“Cool. Must be strange coming back. I mean as an adult.” Her gaze takes in my white linen Versace suit, pink leather Kate Spade pumps and matching bag and she looks impressed.

“Honestly?” I lower my voice. “I’m scared out of my wits.” Her eyes widen in disbelief.

“I’ve never taught high school before and I haven’t been back here in seventeen years.” It feels good confessing my unease to the young girl, to connect and make her feel like she’s not the only one.

“What did you do—I mean before you came back?”

“I was a public relations executive.” I wave a hand when her eyes go wide again. “Not that big a deal.” I almost tell her I really wanted to be a novelist, but she has another question.

“Where did you live? The city I bet.” She looks me up and down.

I laugh. “Is it that obvious? You’re right. I lived in New York City for the last seventeen years. I don’t have any family here or I might’ve come back sooner.” I don’t know why I need an excuse, but I feel guilty for neglecting the small town I grew up in. I have nothing against it, not really.

“You’re like perfect. Like the kind of woman I want to grow up to be.” The shine on her words makes me feel more special than I should, but then again, I am proud of my accomplishments, despite my temporary set-back.

“I’m far from perfect, but I do want to set a good example for young girls especially those who want careers that take them out of their comfort zone.”

“I’m out of my comfort zone moving here from Bar Harbor. I don’t know anyone.”

“You know me. How about if we make a pact to have each other’s back as newbies this year?” I grin, forgetting that I’m more than a decade older than this young girl. “I’m Kali Austin. I suppose you’ll have to call me Miss Austin—once school starts tomorrow.”

“It’s a deal… Kali. I’m Mia Volara.”

I put out my hand and she shakes it.

“It’ll be cool having at least one person I know—even if you are a teacher.”

“I’m sure you’ll make lots of new friends in no time. Do you have any interests?”

“I was a cheerleader at my old school.”

“Perfect. I’m the new cheerleading coach. I’ll see you at the tryouts this week.”

She nods, departing with a big grin

The rental car agency finally pulls up out front, beeping the horn. A young man in a rental agency shirt rolls down his window. “You Kali Austin?”

I nod.

“We’re here to pick up your rental car.”

I have them follow me to Mrs. Charline Pike’s Inn on Main Street where Nikki arranged to have me stay for the school year.

It’s the perfect set up for me while I figure out what the heck to do next with my life.