The Thorne at My Side

CHAPTER 28

Hot for Teacher

MAGGIE

“Alright class, focus up, Ms. Collins is here and we want to make the most of the time she’s giving us,” Jack says as he leans back against his desk. It’s clear he’s the “cool teacher”. “Alright, put your hands together for former Lakeville High School student body president, Cornell graduate, and presidential speech writer, Ms. Maggie Collins!”

Jack starts clapping loudly and I can’t help the giggle that escapes. His face lights up with a grin that makes the corners of his eyes crease. It’s a megawatt smile that does nothing for me. But some girl, some day, is going to fall hard for it.

“Hey everyone,” I wave awkwardly.

“Before we let the kids ask their questions. I’ve got one for you; was it more difficult winning the presidency for the LHS student body or the United States of America?”

I laugh, “it was harder to win LHS but the presidential election was a lot more exhausting!”

He smiles, and it is warm and wonderful. I catch a few girls sigh at the site. I wish it inspired the same reaction from me. “Why don’t you tell them what it was like to work with President-Elect Quinn on her campaign.”

“In a word, it was awesome.” I smile because I mean it. For the last week I’ve spent my time reflecting on my career and trying to figure out where to go with it next. And while I hate how it ended, I loved working for Senator Quinn.

I learned so much from her. I appreciated how she shared openly with the team. How she was able to keep her focus while speaking to thousands of people. And, even though it lead to my ultimate demise, I admire her for using AI Media to her advantage.

I spend the next forty minutes answering questions and chatting with the kids. Explaining how I applied for grants as student body president to get the programs we lost paid for. We brainstormed ideas for how they could fundraise to support a trip for the senior class.

When the bell rings I’m disappointed our time is up.

“Thanks so much Maggie, that was great.” Jack says as the kids file out of the room.

“Yeah, for sure.”

“I’m a humble civics teacher, but part of my job is to help my students find the best version of themselves. I don’t know what you’re going to do next but you really connected with those kids.”

“Yeah, I had a lot of fun.” I smile and slide my coat on.

“Are you going to join your sister at Trivia next week?”

“Eh, I’m not sure I’ll still be here next week.”

“Oh, sure, of course.”

I smile at him and head out the door as his next class starts to file in.

“Take care Jack, thanks for today.”

It isn’t a long drive home but I accomplish a lot of deep thinking. By the time I pull into my driveway I’ve considered, and dismissed, a career as a teacher, a motivational speaker, and going back into the courtroom as a prosecutor.

Even without an answer I’m feeling energized as I park in the driveway. Liz’s car is in the driveway too. She and Kyle got back from their honeymoon in Aruba yesterday.

“Mom, we got married like eleven days ago!” Liz says as I walk in the front door.

“But you’ve been together for almost six years! It is time to have a baby.”

“Mom, stop.” I say as I walk into the kitchen. “Liz is a business owner who’s busiest time of the year is nine months from now with senior portraits and family sessions.” Liz points in my direction and nods vigorously. “You shouldn’t start to badger her for a grandbaby for at least six more weeks.”

“What?!” Liz yells.

“Fine.” Mom huffs.

I smile and slide onto a stool next to Liz at the counter.

“You’re in a good mood,” Mom leads as she mixes up cookies for the book club meeting tonight. “Did you enjoy your day with Jack?”

“You spent the day with Jack!” Liz spins to me. “Gosh, I haven’t been gone that long! But apparently it’s long enough for you to get hot for teacher.”

“I went and spoke to his class about working for President-Elect Quinn.” I correct her. I don’t bother telling her he invited me out to join them at trivia.

“Well that’s less sexy.” Liz says as she plucks a bit of dough from the bowl. “Who knows, maybe I would have gone into politics if he was my civics teacher. He’s hot.”

“Elizabeth, you’re married.” Mom scolds.

“Yeah but I’m not blind.” She says as she licks her fingers.

“It’s fine, I’m not looking for a relationship right now,” I admit and Mom stops what she’s doing.

“You’re not? That’s new.” She says trying to suss out where this is coming from. Since it’s a departure from past versions of me.

“Uh, sure. I just want to get my job situation figured out.”

“That makes sense,” she says. “What do you think you’ll do next?”

“I’m going to head back this week and start having some conversations. I’m not sure exactly what I want to do but I have a few ideas.”

“Well, you’ve always seized opportunities when they present themselves so I can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.”

◆◆◆

Turns out Mom didn’t have to wait long. That night as I started to pack up, my phone alerted me to a new email.

Dear Ms. Collins,

I’m Emily Brady, a student at Georgetown. We met back in the fall when your office hosted an event for students. You spoke about the craft of speech writing and also shared your thoughts on the AI Media announcement.

What you shared that day stuck with me. The semester just started and one of our mandatory seminars is a media literacy class. When we arrived in class today we were told the adjunct professor had taken a job overseas and would no longer be available. They were going to cancel the class if a replacement couldn ’t be found quickly.

I imagine you’re too busy working for President-Elect Quinn but do you know of anyone who could teach this course? I’ll put the department head’s number below.

I appreciate your help. If this course gets canceled I’ll have to make it up in the summer. My course load is packed every semester between now and graduation so I can triple major in poly-sci, public relations, and leadership. I’m hoping to attend law school and followyour path to become a speech writer.

The ultimate goal will be for my words to become a part of history, like yours.

Hope to talk soon,

Emily