Page 10 of Ocotillo Kisses
She tossed a bag of chocolate chips into her hand basket, and a container of cocoa, and, just to be on the safe side, sugar, brown sugar and flour. She hadn’t baked cookies in ages, but seriously, they sounded like just the thing. She heard the bell over the door but didn’t look up as she inspected the recipe on the back of the bag of chips to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything.
She was turning the corner to get to the refrigerated section when she came face to face with Poppy Woodward.
“Oh. Hey.” Britt pushed her hair back from her face, a habit, she’d broken years ago. “What are you doing here in the middle of the school day?”
Poppy’s brow furrowed momentarily. “I came over during my planning time to pick up a treat for my students.”
Britt’s eyebrows went up. “A treat? What kind of treat?”
“We got test results today, and every one of my students improved their score over the practice test, and I told them I’d get them ice cream if that happened, so I’m making good on my promise.”
“That’s a lot of ice cream.”
Poppy shrugged. “I only have sixteen students. It’s not too bad, and Mrs. Lopez carries ice cream bars. They decided that’s what they want.”
“Wow, only sixteen kids. My sister is a teacher in Houston and she’s teaching twenty four, I think.”
“Really? What grade?”
Poppy’s question held a friendlier tone at Britt’s attempt at a connection. “Seventh.”
Poppy blew out a breath. “That’s a lot of seventh graders. I did that my first year. Never again if I can help it. But if you excuse me, I need to get the ice cream and get back to school. I only have a few minutes.”
“Sure, of course. I hope we can catch up soon.”
A brief furrow appeared then disappeared between Poppy’s brows. “Okay, sure. But I guess you won’t be here much longer?”
“I’m staying through the end of the month.”
Poppy’s eyes widened just a bit. “I didn’t know that. Maybe we will. But I need to get my ice cream and get back.” She strode toward the freezer section in back. Once she had it, she walked to the open back door.
“Mrs. Lopez, I’m ready to check out.”
Mrs. Lopez hurried out, dusting her hands on the half-apron she wore. Surely she hadn’t been stocking the room. The driver must surely be helping, because Mrs. Lopez was at least sixty years old.
She smiled brightly at Poppy, at the boxes of ice cream she held in her arms. “The kids did well?”
“I couldn’t have asked for more.”
“That’s wonderful. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for Alex. Honestly I don’t know where he would be without all the extra work you’ve done with him.”
“I think he’s ready to go to fourth grade,” Poppy said, following Mrs. Lopez to the register and setting her boxes of ice cream on the conveyor belt.
“Could you go with him? You know, switch places with the fourth grade teacher? I’d hate to see him lose all the progress he’s made, and I’m not sure about how he’ll get alone with Mrs. DeWinne.”
“He will learn to get along with her just fine. I’m not worried about him. But I need to get back to pick the kids up from PE.” She motioned to her ice cream and held up her wallet.
“Of course. You tell Alex his grandmother says hello and he’d better behave.”
Poppy smiled. “It’s almost dismissal time. But I will.”
She hurried toward the door, without paying, from what Britt could see.
“Bye!” Britt called after her, and Mrs. Lopez whipped around on her, her eyes narrowing, her entire face transforming.
“How long have you been here?”
“I was here before Poppy came in. Sorry, I thought you heard the bell.”
