Page 84 of Husband of the Year
“She’s not smiling,” Michael says.
“She’s frowning. That’s a sad face,” Ben says.
“She is frowning.” I shift onto my knees, putting the book down so they can focus on me. “But let’s think about what’s happening. The porcupine really wants to do something—play outside. And because it’s raining, their plans are ruined. There’s a name for that emotion. It’s called disappointed.”
“I’ve heard of that,” Austin shouts.
“When you’re disappointed, you feel let down,” I explain.
Lots of nodding in agreement. I love when they acknowledge what I’m teaching them.
“Let’s see what happens next.”
I continue reading, and two tiny frogs appear. They’re dancing. They’re singing. They’re frolicking and playing in the rain. Rhino points out how much fun they’re having and wonders if he and Porcupine might have fun too.
“What do you notice about Porcupine’s face now?”
“It’s changed!” Danny says.
“Her eyes are open wide,” Brian says.
“Her lips are open a little bit,” Aaron adds. “Maybe she’s wondering if Rhino is right.”
“Yes, her emotions have changed now!” I close the book momentarily, using my finger as a bookmark. “She’s not disappointed anymore. She’s feeling like it might be possible for them to have fun. Even in the rain. There’s a name for that emotion too! When you feel hopeful, likesomething is worth trying and it will probably work out, that’s called optimism. Can you say that with me?”
The entire class calls back, and the room is filled with “Optimism.”
There are moments in the classroom when I wonder who’s teaching who. Sure, I’m the adult with the teaching certificate, master’s degree, and years of classroom experience, but the stories we share and the lessons I plan—I’m often learning right along with my tiny charges. The wide grin on my face speaks volumes. For the first time in weeks, I actually feel optimistic.
“I knew it.”
Jill sits across from me, poking at her salad while she chews.
“How exactly did you know?”
“Babies have this magical power over people. You don’t think you want one, and then poof?! You see one, smell one, hold one, and all your I-don’t-want-a-baby resolve washes away like my high school infatuation with the Backstreet Boys.”
“Say it isn’t so. You don’t want it that way anymore?”
“Nope. I’ve moved on. My lust for Nick Carter has been replaced with my Nick.”
“Would you say he’s ‘Larger than Life’?”
“Good one. But yes.” Jill pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ll see. Baby magic is deep and real.”
“Well, I’ve only seen him on the phone. I haven’t smelled him. Or held him. And I’ve done all those things with Maria.”
“Ah, but you’re forgetting the special ingredient… watching your man do those things. That’s the secret sauce. The first time Nick took his shirt off and held Maria, I almost tossed her into her crib so I could jump him right there.”
“Really?”
“Yes. But then I remembered where she just came from a few days earlier…” She nods down. “And I cooled off. The point is, Olan is doing all those things and conveying all that to you and you’re done for. Welcome to Baby-ville, population… exhausted.”
My fingers rub the back of my neck and I let out a little laugh.
“Don’t worry, you’ll catch up on sleep,” Jill says. “When he goes to college.”
I muster up a bigger chuckle as my stomach churns the leftover veggie burrito my mother packed. Her last lunch for me.
