Bonnie Winn - Substitute Father

Despite their reluctance, Luke was taking the kids to the elementary school assigned in his neighborhood. Since they hadn’t yet started the new school year at least they weren’t being yanked from familiar classes.

Luke was convinced school, even a new one, would be good for them. Not only the benefits of learning, but also the interaction with other children their age, the distraction the entire experience would provide.

After registering the children in the office, Luke accompanied each of them to their classrooms. Brian, as he’d expected, stoically entered his.

Troy was a touch more timid, but he was soon drawn into the kindergarten play area. Although the next day he would begin the afternoon session, the principal had agreed it would be best to let him become accustomed to the new school on the first day his brother and sister were also attending.

Hannah, however, clung to Luke’s hand, not willing to be left alone with the other first graders. And when she looked up at him with her huge, blue eyes his heart melted. With the teacher’s consent, he took one of the short chairs to the small round table and sat next to Hannah. Aware that he looked ridiculous with his long legs jutting out and his tall body scrunched into the miniature chair, Luke winked at Hannah. A tremulous smile hovered on her lips.

The teacher began the session with practicing their printing. To Luke’s relief, Hannah soon became absorbed in the task. It was obvious this was something she truly enjoyed. And when the teacher announced reading time, Hannah’s eyes lit up. As the children broke into designated circles, Luke hung back, allowing her to blend in with the other kids.

After an hour, when Hannah hadn’t even glanced at him, Luke felt he could slip away. But he found it was difficult to leave the school…to leave the kids.

Trying to shake off the feeling, he glanced at the cheerfully decorated halls, remembered the friendliness of the teachers, and continued to worry.

He knew these kids needed a champion. And not to be shuffled into an already overcrowded foster system. But could he be that temporary champion? And if he could, would the system allow it?

Luke glanced at his watch, calculating the number of hours until he could pick up first Brian and Hannah and then Troy. Nearing the office, he considered going inside to make sure they would call him if any of the kids couldn’t cope this first day. To his surprise, Kealey Fitzpatrick was exiting as he approached.

“Kealey? What are you doing here?”

She glanced up, also surprised. “Checking on another case. How about you?”

“I wanted to make sure the kids were settled in before I left. Hannah was pretty apprehensive.”

She frowned. “Aren’t you jumping the gun by enrolling the kids in school?”

“In what way?”

“You haven’t received approval to keep the children, even on a temporary basis.”

“I thought that was pretty much a formality.”

“Based on what?”

He looked into her bluish eyes, feeling his own exasperation rising. “On our discussion. You know they’re in the best place for the time being.” Then he remembered his own resolve to be diplomatic. “And I thought you’d want them in school. It’s a way to ease them back into normality.”

Slowly she nodded. “That’s true.”

He glanced at his watch. “How about getting some coffee? I’ve cleared most of my day and other than shopping for backpacks, I’ll spend most of it waiting to pick up the kids.”

She hesitated.

“No pressure, Kealey. But if we’re going to be working together in the kids’ interest, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it friendly.”

“I do have a few open hours. Rachel felt so guilty about asking for preferential treatment on your behalf that she’s volunteered to take two of my other cases.”

“Good. If we hurry, Carmach’s might have some fresh doughnuts left.”

Unexpectedly, she smiled. “Caffeine and empty calories?”

“Breakfast of champions,” he retorted with a matching smile.

They agreed to walk the two blocks to the doughnut shop. It was a perfect summer day, one that mixed the warmth of the season with the sweet promise of approaching autumn. A light breeze skipped through some newly fallen leaves, shuffling them with the dripping shoots of late-budding trees.

“I love the fall,” Kealey offered. “Even raking leaves. Silly, I suppose.”

“Nothing matches the smell of burning leaves,” Luke mused. “Too bad we’re environmentally correct and have to bag them now.” He was surprised to see an unexpected vulnerability change her expression. But in the next instant it vanished and he wondered if he’d imagined the transformation.

“I haven’t thought about burning leaves in years,” Kealey murmured. “It does seem more memorable than stuffing them in garbage sacks.”

“Funny, the world spins faster in so many ways. But the seasons still change in their own time, un-rushed by frenetic human activity.”

Again she looked pensive. “I suppose they do. I hadn’t thought about it that way.”

“We get so caught up in our schedules, there’s not a lot of time to think beyond the moment.”

“What about you, Luke?” she questioned. “How do you manage to stay apart from the craziness?”

Surprised, he glanced at her. “I don’t always. But my occupation helps. It’s difficult not to stay in the moment when you’re dealing with sick or hurt animals. They have a way of bringing you back to the basics, to what matters.”

She averted her face, staring ahead so as not to meet his gaze. “And what matters to you?”

Luke tried not to let his continuing surprise show. He also wanted to be honest with her. “Probably about the same as everyone else. Family, friends…doing a job that makes a difference.”

Kealey didn’t reply, but her expression dimmed.

“How about you?” he asked, wondering why she continued to look so pensive.

She shrugged. “Like you said, it’s probably the same for most everybody.”

Somehow, he doubted that, but they’d reached Carmach’s. Opening the door for Kealey, he followed her inside, inhaling the aroma of freshly cooked doughnuts. “I hear those empty calories calling.”

“You don’t look as though you indulge very often,” she retorted.

Nor did she. But then he didn’t think of Kealey and indulgences in the same vein. She seemed too stiff and reserved to allow herself to revel in junk food.

So he was surprised when she ordered two gooey doughnuts for herself. He’d expected her to stick to black coffee.

She glanced at him. “You did say you wanted to eat here, didn’t you?”

Luke smiled. “Absolutely.”

Kealey reached for her wallet.

He held up one hand in protest. “My treat.”

“But—”

“I remember, you pay your own way,” he replied, referring to their only date. “But this was my idea. Humor me.”

Looking flustered, she replaced her wallet, then accepted a mug of steaming coffee. Luke carried a tray with their doughnuts and his coffee to the table. Once settled, Kealey dug into her selection.

When she finally looked up, Luke grinned.

Self-consciously, she dabbed at the corners of her mouth. “Am I wearing most of the filling?”

“Nope. Most women pick a meal to death like food’s the enemy. You’re a refreshing change.”

“I suspect that’s a backhanded compliment at best,” Kealey retorted. “But then I’m not like most women.”

“No,” he admitted, realizing it was true. “You aren’t.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I also suspect I’d rather not know exactly what you mean by that.”

“Maybe you’d be surprised.”

She stopped midbite, removing the doughnut and staring at him. “Does the analysis come with the doughnuts?”