Nancy sat in the driver’s seat of her parked car staring at the building in front of her. Her stomach churned but she knew she didn’t have a choice. As much as she might want to play hooky, it wouldn’t go over well for the teacher to call out, especially on the first day. With a deep breath, she fortified herself and forced herself to move. It took her a moment to gather her things then trudged inside. It was already hot. The sun beat on the back of her neck hinting at the heat of the day yet to come. She couldn’t help but be grateful she’d be inside, under the air conditioner during the worst of it.
She pushed her way through the main doors and down the hallway that she’d been up and down a dozen times over the last week as she’d gotten her classroom ready, but somehow, this morning it f
