Teacher’s pet
When Abby attended a former teacher’s birthday party, she didn’t realize it could lead to romance . . .
The lady at the welcome table handed me a badge. “Thank you for joining us to celebrate Mrs. Hardin’s 80th birthday.”
“She was my favorite teacher,” I said, sticking the badge to my pink blouse. When I spotted the guest of honor, I weaved through the crowd.
The petite gray-haired woman smiled when she saw me. “Abby Stearns! So good of you to come.” She gave me a big hug. “Do you remember Steve Porter?” She touched the arm of a tall, good-looking man in gold-rimmed glasses.
“His family moved out of town after our first-grade year together,” Abby said.
Steve gave me a cute grin. “I remember you, too, Abby. As I recall, we were boyfriend and girlfriend for a few days until you threw me aside for someone named Dean.”
Steve gave me a cute grin. ‘I remember you, too, Abby’
I laughed. “Dean Renfrow. I fell hard for him during recess when he gave me an entire chocolate bar.” Steve had grown up nicely, with thick dark hair and a pair of matching dimples.
“Speak of the devil.” Mrs. Hardin chuckled as another man approached the group.
“Hi, Mrs. Hardin,” the newcomer gave his former teacher a quick peck on her cheek.
“Thank you, Dean,” she said. “It’s nice to see so many of my former students.”
“I want to thank you for allowing me to bring my fire engine to class for show and tell,” he said. “You’ll be happy to know that I became a fireman.”
Steve grinned. “She suggested I get my eyes checked at the end of that school year, and now I’m an optometrist!”
Mrs. Hardin smiled. “Abby became a nurse with no help from me, but I’ll be happy to take credit for your success, boys.”
A young woman called to Mrs. Hardin, and she excused herself from our group.
Dean looked at his watch. “Duty calls. See you later, Abby.” He gave Steve a casual wave and left the two of us standing together.
“Do you work at one of the hospitals, Abby?” Steve asked.
I shook my head. “In a doctor’s office. Regular hours and no rotating shifts.”
“The town has changed a lot since my family moved away, but it’s still the same great place I remember.”
Abby nodded. “But did you notice the two new cinema complexes? And even though some big-name restaurants and stores have come in, the downtown area still has places like Duncan’s Diner.”
“I’m setting up my optometry office downtown in a small refurbished house.”
I started to say something, but a friend called my name and tugged at my arm. “Come see Rachel Graham— do you remember her from our summers at the lake?”
As I was dragged away, Steve gave me another dimpled smile. “See you later,” he said, promise in his words.
I looked forward to continuing our conversation, but I didn’t see him until I started to leave the party. Steve caught me at the exit.
“I enjoyed talking to you, Abby,” he said and held the door open. “How about dinner next week? I remember Duncan’s Diner had very tasty burgers in the old days. If you’re not busy, we can meet there after work on Friday.”
I was filled with a rush of excitement when I looked into his brown eyes. “That sounds perfect. See you around six.”
The workweek didn’t go fast enough to suit me. When Friday finally arrived, and I walked through the front door of the diner, Steve stood at one of the booths and waved to me. I felt a surge of pleasure at seeing him again.
I sat down, and in front of me on the table was a small rectangular package wrapped with red ribbon.
He smiled. “Something to put me ahead of Dean Renfrow, you know, in case he’s still in the picture.”
I tore off the paper and discovered two jumbo candy bars, twice the size of the ones I’d received in first grade. I burst out laughing. “Dean’s engaged to my best friend, so he’s definitely off the market.”
“In that case, those should put me at the head of the pack if you still covet chocolate.”
“Without a doubt,” I said, eagerly looking forward to our sweet new beginning.
— Diane Crawford