Page 30 of Russian Daddy

“You’ll decide when the time is right. The right choice will just come to you.”

Once all of the guests have arrived, Marta takes a seat at the table of honor. Torin, the kids, and I join her, but as soon as the band begins playing, Tania and Tatia grab Torin’s hands and pull him off to dance with them.

Torin picks up one girl with each arm and sways to the music. It’s the sweetest thing, the girls are over the moon.

“He’s a good dad,” Marta says.

“He’s the best dad.”

They return to the table just in time for Marta to be called to the dance floor where she’s presented with the key to the city and a plaque commemorating her long and successful career. When she comes back, Torin says, “I have something for you too, Mama.”

“You didn’t have to,” she argues.

“When I was little, I used to pester you all the time about taking a summer vacation, remember? All of the other kids bragged about trips to Florida or Mexico, and I just spent the summer kicking around town or at that church camp you tried to send me to. God, I was so jealous of those kids.”

“You mean the one that sent you home for unruly behavior?” Marta laughs.

“Yeah, that one. Well, now that you’re retired, I think it’s only fitting that I take you on summer vacation.”

“What do you mean?”

“All of us. We’re going to Mexico.”

“You’re kidding!” Marta cheers.

“I am not. I no longer have to hear about how you can’t because you have to work or how we can’t afford that right now. This is it. We’re going to Mexico, and you’re coming with us.”

As I listen to their exchange, my pending decision becomes clear to me just like Marta told me it would. I see the president of the school board and say, “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”

I catch the president just as she’s about to order a drink.

“Excuse me, Dr. Pendleton. Can I have a moment?”

“Oh, Tess. It’s nice to see you. We’ve missed you since you stopped teaching. What can I do for you?”

“I just wanted to let you know that I’ve thought about the principal position, and I’ve made my decision. I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to turn it down.”

“May I ask why? If it’s about the salary, I think we have room to negotiate.”

“No. I appreciate that, but it’s not about the salary. I want to be there full-time for my family. I know a lot of people can’t do that, and I think it’s a very special gift my husband is able to give me. It’s a freedom I shouldn’t take for granted.”

“I think that’s very sweet, Tess. I’m happy for you.”

I return to the table and take my seat. Marta and Torin both look puzzled as I sit back and grin.

“Why do you look like the cat that swallowed the family goldfish?” Torin asks.

“Because I love you and I love my life. I don’t need a job to prove who I am or what I can do. I can stay at home and teach my own children. I can be there for you when you come home from the city and not have to worry about board meetings or administrative responsibilities. And we can take our kids on summer vacations or winter vacations or any kind of vacation we like because you gave us that kind of freedom.”

“So, you turned down the job offer?”

“Yes, I did. Marta told me that the right decision would just come to me, and it did.”

“Good, baby girl. Now maybe we can start planning for baby number four.”

“What?”

“Well, I didn’t want to say anything until after you made a decision on the job, but I think we need to try for another boy or two. There are a lot of girls in the house right now.” Torin grins.

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