Page 5 of An Unexpected Turn
“It is. He’s at a tough age.”
Fourteen- and fifteen-year-olds had it rough with the surging hormones and settling into that odd place between kid and young adult.
I sympathized even more now, feeling just as lost at thirty-two.
Maybe Mikey and I could bond over our common displacement in a new town. Mine was voluntary, but seemed just as forced.
My uncle pressed a kiss to the top of my head, breaking me out of my silent pity spiral. “If you want to stay, I can put my man cave stuff in storage.”
I shook my head. “I appreciate the offer, but Derek Jeter can stay on the wall. I’ll only be ten minutes away, so this isn’t the last you’ll see of me.”
“Better not be.” Uncle Keith stood and put his dish into the sink.
It was a comfort knowing my favorite uncle was so close by, but if I wanted the new life I’d dropped everything for, I had to do it on my own.
THREE
PEYTON
Chips on shoulders and hurt feelings had no place in school, especially in my line of work. While a teacher could be stern and unapproachable as long as their students learned from them, my purpose was to make a student comfortable enough to talk to me about anything, even if they didn’t know me that well. I never let students walk all over me, although a few attempts over the years made me laugh. Some wanted to see me just to get out of class, and while I never refused any requests, I learned to decipher who was hiding their problems behind a little bravado and who was seeking a legal way to cut class.
“Ready for one more?” Arlene, the school principal and my new boss, asked from the doorway to my office. I’d only been working with her for a few weeks, but she seemed patient and kind, at least enough to not change the vibe of a room with her presence. All my last principal had to do was pass you in the hallway and both teachers and students stood straighter, as if we’d all been caught doing something wrong.
Back in Brooklyn, I knew our neighbors well enough to smile if we crossed paths, but I didn’t carry on many conversations beyond small talk. Everyone was busy and always heading somewhere, but Kelly Lakes moved at a much slower pace. People not only had the time to get to know you, but they also made sure of it. My uncle entertained me with all the tales he’d heard from being chief of police, and I was sure people were just as interested in a single woman in her thirties moving to a new town.
I hadn’t decided whether that was good or bad yet.
While my job was getting others to open up, after everything that had happened over the past year, I found it hard for me to do the same. It had always been easy for me to be social, but the fallout at my old school made me retreat into myself. I’d felt lighter since arriving at Uncle Keith’s house and would have to coax who I used to be out in time.
Too bad the guidance counselor couldn’t counsel herself.
Arlene motioned behind her. “This is Michael. He’s new to Kelly Lakes too. Michael, this is Ms. Miller. We’re very happy to have you both here this year.”
My gaze landed on the tall, skinny boy now looking between Arlene and me. I had two Michaels left to see on my list, but I knew this was Jake’s son. Those crystal-blue eyes were a dead giveaway.
“Nice to meet you, Michael.” I shot him a smile as I stood and made my way around my desk. “Have a seat.”
“I’ll leave you to it.” Arlene gave me a nod before she shut the door behind her.
“I’m glad I got to see you before the day ended.”
His eyes met mine for a moment before darting all over the room.
“I know your father. He’s my Uncle Keith’s best friend.”
“Oh,” he said, his rigid shoulders relaxing a bit. “I think Dad mentioned that.”
“How’s your first week going? I’m in a new town and a new school, just like you. Luckily, my uncle knows everything about Kelly Lakes, so I have a little bit of an inside track.”
“Keith is pretty cool,” Michael mumbled. “I haven’t seen him since I moved here, but I remember he talks a lot.”
“He does. As does my mother, so it runs in the family. When they’re together, there’s not much opportunity for anyone else to say anything.”
A real laugh slipped out of him, and that familiar rush of euphoria and relief spread in my chest when a new student let his guard down a little.
“Enough about Uncle Keith. What can you tell me about school so far?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “I don’t know anyone.”
