The Unexpected Gift

Chapter 3:

I said my goodbyes to the last few parents and students left my classroom as the beep of the intercom sounded. Seconds later I could hear our principal’s voice again.

“OK, any parents that are still in the building need to make their way to the office. Our parties are officially over and any non-staff personnel need to vacate the building. Teachers our APs will be making their rounds to make sure all parents are gone and to pick up sign-out sheets. Please have them ready for when they come by.”

I was already getting my sign out sheet ready before the announcement was completely done.

Thankfully, all my students were signed out. That is one good thing about being a kindergarten teacher. Parents always show up for everything, and are more than willing to sign their students out so they do not have to stay by themselves for the rest of the day. So all I needed to do was take down the last few decorations that are left and pack up my Christmas haul from the students, and I should be able to leave by two.

As I am filling my cart with everything to take out to my car, Mrs. White poked her head into my room.

“Well, hello Miss Grinch. I think you are the first one to have all their decorations completely down already.” She stated with amusement in her voice.

Laughing, I responded, “You know me; if it wasn’t for those beautiful babies I have in my class, I would not have decorated at all.” I told her, but she already knows.

I met Mrs. White a really long time. She was at the school when I was a student here. Well, she was a teacher then, but she knows the hardship and struggles that I have when it comes to Christmas. She understands that this time of the year has always been hard on me and there were a few breakdowns in her classroom after school, if I recall correctly.

“Well, you are right. I did hope that one day you would be able to find the joy in the holidays again, even though it has always sucked for you.” She stated bluntly.

That is another thing that I love about her. She was always a no-nonsense lady and always told it like it was, even if you didn’t want to hear it. I think that is one of the things that makes her a great AP, that and she loves this school and puts her heart into her job.

“Oh, hey now, Mrs. White. I do find joy in the holidays. Starting on December 1st right up to the last day before winter break. Then I returned right back to my Grinch ways. These littles in my class give me an immense amount of joy, and that is all I need. I do not need all the Christmas craziness to make me happy.”

She gave me that look, saying ‘I do not believe you’, but thankfully she did not say anymore on the subject.

“Well, it looks like you are about ready to head out. Do you have your sign-out sheet ready? Even with the announcement, you would not believe how many teachers do not have it ready.” She shakes her head in disbelief. Although, I am not sure why she can’t believe that. As long as she has been in school, she should know better.

I giggled at her, “Don’t act like that surprises you. Teachers are notorious for being procrastinators.”

She does a full belly laugh at my response. Once she catches her break and is able to talk again, she states, “You are right. You would think I would know this by now.”

“Am I able to assume that you don’t have yours ready either, by that comment?” She questions me, raising her eyebrows at me.

“No, ma’am, not me! I am always eager to leave as soon as possible. So you had better believe that I am ready. That includes my sign-out sheet.” I tell her as I grab my sheet off my desk to hand to her.

She can’t hold the laugh in as I walk back over to her. “Do you have any plans during the break?” She asks me as I approach her.

“Oh, you know me. After the staff Christmas party. I plan on holding up in my little farm house and pretending the world does not exist until I need to get more food or come back to work. Whichever comes first.” I told her honestly.

She gave me a side glare, “Somehow that does not surprise me. But I wish you had more going on. You know you are always welcome to come over and spend the holiday with us. You are practically part of the family now. I have known you since your third grade year, when you moved here?”

I could see her reminiscing. I am sure she was thinking about the snot-nosed little troublemaker that I used to be. It really has been a long time that we have known each other.

“Thank you for the offer again. However, I am afraid I will just bring everyone's mood down. I can not be the Grinch to your happy family holiday. Maybe one day, but not this year.” I told her. This is not the first time she has offered. In fact, I think I have gotten that same offer from her since I was in ninth grade, when she realized that I didn’t have anyone to spend the holidays with. She was a high school counselor at that time.

“OK, well, when you are done here you are free to go for the winter break. Don’t forget to unplug everything.” she tells me.

I gave her a dubious look, “You know I have already done that.”

“I know, but I have to say it anyway. I will see you tonight at the staff meeting.” It was more of a command than a question.

“I know, and yes I will be there.” I told her as she walked out of my classroom.

I shut all my lights off and headed out of my classroom, locking up for the winter break. It took me three trips to get everything loaded in my car, but thankfully, on one of those trips I ran into one of our custodians and was able to convince her that she needed all the leftover cookies and cupcakes to take to family get-togethers, so she didn’t have to bake or buy them. She agreed to take them, so that was one less thing I needed to take with me.

Loaded up, I headed home to get ready for the staff party tonight.